ACTEC President’s Message (November 2025)
Dear Fellows,
I shared with you last week in my President’s Message, that on Thursday, October 23, at the Board of Regents Meeting, our Executive Director, Deborah O. McKinnon, announced her intention to retire. Below is an excerpt of my remarks:
The College owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to Deb for all that she has done for us. Under Deb’s stewardship, the College blossomed into a more vibrant, forward-thinking, and national organization. While she makes it all look effortless, those of us who work with Deb know the hard work and endless hours she contributes to the success of the College. I am grateful that she will be working side by side with us to choose her successor.
The Executive Committee and Deb have worked to create a plan that will lead to the appointment of a new Executive Director, along with a transition period in which both Deb and the new Executive Director will be working with the College. The Executive Committee expects the whole process to take approximately one year.
On Tuesday, November 4, the Regents unanimously approved the appointment of the following Fellows and ACTEC Staff to a newly established Search Committee:
- Margaret (Meg) G. Lodise, Chair
- Melissa J. Willms, Vice-Chair
- Farhad Aghdami
- Shannon K. Barks
- Gerry W. Beyer
- John M. Challis
- Amy Michaud, Staff Representative
- Tara Anne Pleat
- Bruce Stone
In addition, the Regents authorized the selection and retention of a search firm and a preliminary budget for the search process. The search firm and Search Committee will review ACTEC’s current operations, conduct confidential interviews with staff and others, and develop an appropriate job description for the Executive Director. To ensure the process remains on track, throughout its deliberations, the Search Committee will share its progress with me.
We are looking for candidates who can integrate well with the existing staff and who, like the Fellows, recognize the incredible role each person plays in the ongoing success of the College.
The work of the Search Committee will be confidential until the selection of 2-5 final candidates. The finalists will have the opportunity to meet other Fellows and staff at an upcoming National Meeting.
Once a new Executive Director is approved by the Board of Regents, that person will work with Deb and an Onboarding Committee to create a smooth transition and to minimize disruption to the regular, ongoing activities of the College. ACTEC will keep Fellows informed throughout this transition.
Sincerely,