2015 Board Elections: APEX Sustains Strong Candidate Slate
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Each year, APEX holds elections for leadership positions on the Board. Though the Board is elected by the membership, the APEX Nominating Committee is in place to identify strong candidates for the membership to vote on. This year’s Nominating Committee included 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award Winners, Lee Casey (Lumexis) and Mark Horton (Paramount) along with APEX president Alfy Veretto (Virgin America) and APEX vice-president Brian Richardson (American Airlines).
The Nominating Committee continues to look for talented individuals from airlines and vendor companies who can make a difference.
Ideal APEX Board member qualities:
- Leadership experience
- Industry knowledge
- Involvement on APEX committees
- Influential within the industry and the candidates’ member company
- Ability to put association needs ahead of personal/company agendas
- Enjoys working in a collaborative environment with peers
- Committed to APEX
“We try to reach out to people we think will have the right talents for the Board,” explains Horton. And given how strong the slate continues to be each year, with influential member companies continuing to be represented, the Board and Nominating Committee have much to be proud of – and to look forward to.
This year, the Board recognized a need for an association CEO and executed the necessary steps to hire a dedicated and qualified individual for the role. “I think our biggest success will be hiring a CEO for the association,” says Veretto. “We need someone who can dedicate 100 percent of their time to our association and its members.”
“Our biggest success will be hiring a CEO for the association.” – Alfy Veretto, APEX president.
Looking forward, APEX Media spoke with Lee Casey and Mark Horton to find out what qualities, beyond experience, the Nominating Committee looks for in a candidate and what advice they have for future candidates.
Does the strong slate of candidates we’ve seen over the years speak to the status of APEX as an industry leader?
Lee: Yes, but as an association we need to have a higher profile with all companies associated within the industry, and our Board are continually looking at ways to change this. Over the years, the Board has been more visible to the members and, because of this, we have seen a great interest from members wanting to be on the Board as they see many ways they can contribute.
Mark: I think it shows that our association is made up of talented executives who have a real passion for the industry and want to see it continue to develop and thrive. Airlines and vendors both recognize the importance of the in-flight entertainment product in the passenger experience and it’s important to them to make sure APEX heads in the right direction.
Beyond industry experience, what personality qualities is the Nominating Committee looking for?
Lee: Because these are voluntary positions, we need folks that will make the time, have strong ideas and a “can do” attitude – a team player.
Mark: Yes, candidates that have creativity and a passion for their job. It’s really important that APEX continues to move forward and adapt to the changes in the industry both in the air and on the ground.
“We need folks that will make the time, have strong ideas and a ‘can do attitude – a team player.” – Lee Casey, APEX Nominating Committee
Any advice for future applicants?
Lee: We need people that are passionate and enthusiastic about the association, forward thinking, bringing fresh ideas. Looking at the slate for the Board this year, it’s very impressive that we have so many diverse and driven people, it’s a testament to the current Board.
Mark: A good way for someone new to the association to learn and to network is to volunteer for a committee – whether its Technical, Marketing & Communications or working on one of the Markets/EXPOs – it’s fun and you will really start to connect with the rest of the member companies. Once you have an understanding of what APEX is all about, you’ll have experience and have a network of colleagues across the industry and it will be less daunting to stand for election.
Shape the direction of the association by voting in the 2015 APEX Board elections starting August 21, 2015.