Please join me in welcoming Jessica Hughes as the new Executive Director of The Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) and the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), divisions of the American Library Association. Jessica will start with ALA on Monday, October 9, 2017.
Jessica currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association. Prior to her current position, she was their Director of Development (2010) and Director of Strategic Initiatives (2011). Before joining Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association, Jessica was the Director of Development for Community Christian School. She also held positions at Northwestern College and at the Minnesota Electrical Association. Jessica has a B.S in Organizational Development from Northwestern College and has studied Philanthropy and Development at St. Mary’s University.
In preparing to announce the selection of a new executive director, ASCLA President Jeannette Smithee said: “Along with the boards and members of ASCLA and RUSA, I anticipate a cooperative and productive relationship with our new Executive Director, Jessica Hughes. She brings a dynamic personality plus skills and experience. I anticipate learning from her and having her learn more about our unique associations.” RUSA President Chris LeBeau noted: “I am delighted to have Jessica Hughes join ASCLA and RUSA. She brings us experience in planning, advocacy, board engagement, budgeting, association education and development. I look forward to the energy and enthusiasm she will inject into our organization.”
Sincere appreciation for a smooth and productive search go to the search committee: Jeannette Smithee, ASCLA President; Michael Golrick, ASCLA Immediate Past President; Chris LeBeau, RUSA President; Alesia McManus, RUSA Immediate Past President; Christina Shutt, Immediate Past-Chairperson, RUSA History Section; Lorelle Swader, Director, ALA Office for Human Resource Development and Recruitment & the ALA-Allied Professional Association; Kerry Ward, Executive Director, ALA/Library Leadership and Management Association; Dan Hoppe, Associate Executive Director, ALA Human Resources; and, Mary Ghikas ALA Interim Executive Director.
Mary W. Ghikas
ALA Interim Executive Director
312-280-1392
mghikas@ala.org