Steven King has worked in association management and government relations since 1982. King has worked with professional and trade associations with responsibility for membership development, trade show coordination, federal and state government relations, media relations and meeting and seminar coordination.

Following his graduation from law school at the George Washington University, he joined the law firm of Meyers, Marshall & Meyers (now Meyers & Alterman), general counsel for the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, the Air Freight Association and several other trade associations. During eight years as an associate with the firm, he worked almost exclusively on association- related issues, focusing on federal, state and local legislative and regulatory issues.

In 1989, King joined a Baltimore-based association management company and began working as the chief staff executive of the Pet Industry Distributors Association, the Safety Equipment Distributors Association and the Souvenir Wholesale Distributors Association. In 2000, King left to form King Stringfellow Group with his business partner, Fred Stringfellow.

King:

• Is a graduate of George Washington University, National Law Center with a Juris Doctor degree with Honors in 1982; and a Bachelor of Arts degree Cum Laude from the University of Maryland.
• Received his Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from ASAE in 1994, and was recertified in 1997, 2000, 2003, 2006, and 2009.
• Represents PIDA and SWDA on the Association Executives Council of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW).
• Is a past president of Maryland Society of Association Executives (MSAE) (1998-1999).
• Is past-chairman of the Association Education Alliance, a coalition of over 40 trade associations dedicated to developing educational resources and services for members.
• Is treasurer of the board of the Small Business Legislative Council, which represents the interests of small business entities before Congress and federal agencies.

Fred Stringfellow, CAE, Executive Vice President

Fred Stringfellow started his career in association management in 1992 with a Washington D.C.-based association management company, where he served as associate director for the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (formerly National Staff Leasing Association).

In 1994, Stringfellow joined a Baltimore-area association management company, where he served as executive director for the Flexographic Pre-Press Plate-makers Association and the Shoe Service Institute of America, and as associate director for the Woodworking Machinery Industry Association. In 2000, Stringfellow left to form King Stringfellow Group with his business partner, Steve King.

Stringfellow currently serves as Executive Director of Web Sling and Tie Down Association (WSTDA), National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC), and American Sports Builders Association (ASBA).

Stringfellow:

• Has a Bachelor of Arts degree Magna Cum Laude from Ithaca College (NY).
• Received his CAE designation from ASAE in 1998, and was recertified in 2001, 2004, and 2007.
• Is a graduate of the Institute for Organization Management at the University of Delaware (a six year program).
• Is past president of the Maryland Society of Association Executives (MSAE) (2001-2002).
• Is a past-president of the Stoneleigh Community Association.
• Is the immediate past chair of the Association Management Council of American Society of Association Executives (ASAE)

Jackie King, Executive Director of AVDA, SMART and SEDA

Jackie King currently serves as Executive Director for the American Veterinary Distributors Association (AVDA), Safety Equipment Distributors Association (SEDA), and the Secondary Materials And Recycled Textiles Association (SMART).

King started her career in association management when she joined KSG in April 2002. She began as the Director of Meetings and Member Services for each of the three groups mentioned above and handled all aspects of meeting planning and member services for them. As KSG has grown with new client associations, King has successfully taken on the role of executive director role for each of the groups from Fred Stringfellow and Steve King.

Prior to joining KSG, King worked in law firms and law related environments for over 15 years. She developed a strong customer service orientation while working for Westlaw, a computer-assisted research service, as an Account Executive. As a research librarian and Director of a large law library for more than eight years she developed keen management, information-gathering and organizational skills that are invaluable to association management. Her background as a practicing attorney also serves her associations well in recognizing and averting potential legal pitfalls.

King:

• Has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland, College Park.
• Graduated from the University of Baltimore Law School in 1982 and is a member of the Maryland Bar.
• Served as an Account Executive with West Group for six years, providing training and customer support to law firms using computer assisted legal research service, Westlaw.
• Is a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the Maryland Society of Association Executives (MSAE).
• Served for over six years as Director of Law Library at the law firm of Richards, Layton & Finger in Wilmington, Delaware.

Amy Chetelat, CAE, Financial Director:

Amy Chetelat transitioned from corporate accounting to association management in 1996 when she joined an association management company as its financial director, responsible for the company's accounting and financial management, as well as the financial management of 15 trade and professional associations and three educational foundations. Amy left in 2000 to join King Stringfellow Group.

In her role as KSG's Financial Director, Chetelat is responsible for all areas of accounting and financial management as well as Information Technology and building operations. Chetelat is supported by two staff members in KSG's Financial Department.

Chetelat:

• Earned her Masters of Business Administration from University of Phoenix.
• Received her Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives in 2003, and was recertified in 2005 and 2008.
• Served as Director of Finance at Clemons & Associates for five years.
• Served as Controller at American Drug Development for two years.
• Is a member of the Finance Section Committee of the American Society of Association Executives.
• Is Immediate Past President of the Maryland Society of Association Executives.
• Is a member of the Institute for Managerial Accountants.
• Has passed both the SEC Series 7 and Series 63 licensing exams.

Kathleen DeMarco, Executive Director for SCAA, SORT, and DistraNet

Kathleen (Kathy) DeMarco has worked in association management for over 20 years, encompassing advancing roles in project and program management, strategic planning and implementation, administrative management, budgeting and financial management, meeting and event management, and communications management on behalf of client organizations, while holding corporate level responsibilities for client development and retention.

She currently serves as Executive Director of the Spill Control Association of America (SCAA), Shippers of Recycled Textiles (SORT), and DistraNet. DeMarco:

• Received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications with a concentration in journalism and public relations from Temple University in Philadelphia.
• Earned a Certificate in Industrial Distribution from Indiana University/Purdue University-Indianapolis in 2008 as a means to deepen her knowledge in the industrial distribution industry and to better serve association clients based in various industrial distribution industries.
• Is a Member of ASAE - The Center for Association Leadership (ASAE) and is pursuing Certification as an Association Executive (CAE) through ASAE.
• Has served in leadership roles for the Association Education Alliance (AEA) and the Delaware Valley Society of Association Executives (DVSAE)

Marci Hickey, CMP, Associate Director for SWDA; Director of Meetings and Member Services for PIDA

Marci L. Hickey, CMP has over 10 years of association management and meeting planning experience. She currently serves as Associate Director for Souvenir Wholesale Distributor Association (SWDA) and as Director of Meetings and Member Services for the Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA). In these roles she supports the Executive Vice President working with the board and committees, membership relations and event planning.

As the event planner for her clients, Hickey coordinates all logistics and registration for annual conventions, trade shows, workshops and board meetings. She manages all aspects of meeting planning, coordinating with the board of directors, speakers, hotels, and other vendors from site selection, negotiating contracts, pre-event planning to on-site event management. In addition, she organizes all event marketing and promotion as well as contributing to program development. On-site, manages all services including meeting registration, logistics, meal functions, speakers, vendor relations and support staff.

Hickey oversees member marketing and communications, including newsletters, member directories and other publications. She also supervises dues billing and membership development, using the latest technology tools and database management.

Hickey:

• Is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), as designated by the Convention Industry Council (CIC), since 2004, and recertified in 2009.
• Has a Bachelor of Science degree Summa Cum Laude from Towson University (MD)
• Is a member of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)
• Is a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the Maryland Society of Association Executives (MSAE)
• Served on the Board of Directors for the PCMA Chesapeake Chapter as a Director, Treasurer and President.

Kaymie Thompson Owen, CMP
Executive Director SEDA; Associate Director AVDA and SMART

Kaymie Thompson Owen serves as Executive Director for Safety Equipment Distributors Association and as Associate Director for American Veterinary Distributors Association and Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association.

Thompson Owen manages all aspects of meeting planning, coordinating with the board of directors, speakers, hotels and other facilities to produce successful events. In addition, she organizes all event marketing and promotion as well as contributing to program development. On-site, Thompson Owen directs a multitude of services including meeting registration, logistics, meal functions, vendor relations and support staff.

A well-versed association practitioner, Owen has experience in all aspects of event planning and membership management. She has 17 years of experience organizing educational seminars, charity events, trade shows, conferences and meetings within the US as well as internationally.

Owen:

• Earned the Certified Meeting Professional designation (CMP) from the Convention Industry Council (CIC)
• Has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations and Japanese from Ball State University (IN)
• Is a member of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)
• Is a member of Japanese Exchange and Teaching Alumni (JETAA)
• Is a member of the Maryland Sigma Kappa Alumnae Chapter
• President of the PCMA Chesapeake Chapter Board of Directors

Diane Schafer, CMP
Executive Director of FPPA;
Director of Meetings and Membership Services of NSGIC

After two years as Director of Meetings & Member Services for the Flexographic Pre-Press Platemakers Association, Diane Schafer recently assumed the role of Executive Director of the organization. In this role she works directly with the Board of Director's on the management of the association and increasing member benefit.

Schafer also serves as Director of Meetings & Member Services for the National States Geographic Information Council where she is responsible for all aspects of planning association meetings and conventions and member services.

Schafer has a strong background in hospitality and as an independent meeting planner, which has enabled her to hone skills as an executive manager with a high level of standard in customer service. Throughout her fifteen years in the industry she has planned successful events in both domestic and international locales for clients across various disciplines through professional foresight and attention to detail.

Schafer:

• Has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Shippensburg University (PA).
• Earned the Certified Meeting Professional designation (CMP) from the Convention Industry Council (CIC)
• Is a member of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)
• Is a member of the Baltimore Alumnae Chapter of Phi Sigma Sigma
• Served on the Board of Directors for the PCMA Chesapeake Chapter

Cynthia Jordan
Director of Meetings and Membership Services of ASBA and WSTDA

Cynthia Jordan currently serves as Director of Meetings and Membership Services for the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA) and Web Sling & Tie Down Association (WSTDA). Jordan handles all aspects for planning and coordinating ASBA's Technical Meeting and Winter Meeting; and WSTDA's Annual and Fall Meetings. She is responsible for administering two certification programs for ASBA: one for Certified Tennis Court Builders and one for Certified Track Builders.

Jordan:

• Prior to starting her career in association management, Jordan served in the US Navy from 1989-2002 on the US Hunley (AS-31).
• Has worked with the American Association of Nurse Attorneys, American College of Foot & Ankle Orthopedics & Medicine and the Certifying Board of Gastroenterology Nurses & Associates.
• Is a 2002 graduate of the Institutes for Organization Management.
• Has served on the Board of Directors for the Maryland Society of Association Executives.