Pedorthic Footwear Association Selects SmithBucklin for Full-Service Management
CHICAGO - Nov. 10, 2006 – The Pedorthic Footwear Association (PFA), the not-for-profit professional association that represents the interests of the certified and/or licensed pedorthist and supports the pedorthic profession at large, announced today that it has selected SmithBucklin as its full-service management company. PFA has relocated from Columbia, Md., to SmithBucklin's offices in Washington, D.C.
PFA's mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the certified pedorthist through education, increase demand for the certified pedorthist's services through marketing, and defend the certified pedorthist's right to practice through government affairs activities. Founded in 1958, the organization serves more than 2,000 members in the United States and around the world. Pedorthics is the design, manufacture, modification and fit of shoes and foot orthoses to alleviate problems caused by disease, congenital condition, overuse or injury.
"We have a strong level of comfort with SmithBucklin," said PFA President Mike Forgrave. "The company recognizes the challenges we face and understands our mission. We are confident that our partnership with SmithBucklin will provide us with the right guidance and expertise to meet and exceed our association's goals."
Brian Lagana, PFA Executive Director since 2003, has joined SmithBucklin as a director in the company's Health Care business unit. He will continue as PFA's Executive Director. During Lagana's tenure to date, the association increased PFA's membership; worked to bring pedorthics to the 2008 Beijing Olympics medical team; reorganized and enhanced its government affairs and lobbying program; and increased awareness of the pedorthic profession among professional referral sources, government decision makers and the general public.
Prior to joining PFA, Lagana was an association executive director with a small association management company specializing in transportation-related clients. Lagana also worked at the American Trucking Association as executive director of a number of specialized trucking affiliate organizations, and in various capacities with the National Association of Counties. Lagana has a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and economics from the University of Rhode Island.
"We are excited to have this opportunity to work with PFA, and happy to welcome Brian to our team," said SmithBucklin Executive Vice President Michael S. Olson. "The organization's excellent leadership and strong commitment to growth and success, combined with SmithBucklin's resources and knowledge, will deliver great value to all PFA members."
# # #
About SmithBucklin
SmithBucklin is the world's largest association management and professional services company providing flexible, tailored full-service management and function/project-specific services to more than 235 trade associations, professional societies, technology user groups, government institutes/agencies and corporations. SmithBucklin's mission is to drive growth and build sustained competitiveness for client organizations. Founded in 1949, the company employs 750 professionals specializing in all phases of association activity including executive management, member and chapter administration, convention and trade show management, marketing and branding, Web services, education and programs, government relations and financial management. SmithBucklin manages more than $200 million in annual client budgets from offices in Chicago, Washington, DC, St. Louis and Durham, NC. SmithBucklin is 100% employee owned. For more information, please visit www.smithbucklin.com or call 1.800.539.9740.
|