Association Leadership - September/October 2015 - (Page 14)

FE AT u R E i n C O M in G C HA i R From the Public and Private Sectors to ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT Meet the new TSAE chairman, Bill keese, CAE by Jean feingold I n the earlier years of his career, incoming Texas Society of Association Executives (TSAE) Chairman Bill Keese, CAE, had no idea he would become an association executive. His broad ranging prior work includes both private sector employment and government service. He previously owned a restaurant, was vice-president of franchising for Schlotzsky's, a national chain of sandwich shops, and was vice-president of the Roaring Fork Railroad in Aspen, CO. He also served for six years as an elected State Representative in the Texas House of Representatives and worked in the Consumer Protection Division of the Texas Attorney General's office. WOrKING WITh APrO Keese took his first job in association management 26 years ago when he joined the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations (APRO), the official voice of the rent-to-own industry, as executive director. He made the change because he wanted a career where he could use his interests and expertise in advocacy, creativity, management and entrepreneurship. "I enjoy the diversity of association management and I enjoy working with my team members," he said. APRO does all the customary things associations do for their members, including continuing education, advocacy, publications, providing a community for rental dealers, promoting and protecting the industry, managing state affiliates, researching issues affecting the industry and promoting professionalism. There have been notable successes during Keese's tenure. "In particular, we have successfully changed IRS regulations affecting our industry," he said. "We have successfully worked with 47 state legislatures to pass responsible legislation regulating our industry. Beyond government advocacy, we have created a nationally acclaimed magazine. We have produced successful and award-winning radio and television ads for our members. We do extensive research on our industry's customer base 14 September/October 2015/Association LEADERSHIP and deliver the latest store design and layout concepts for retail operations." What Keese most likes about his job is working with APRO's 16 elected presidents and the almost 200 board members who have served during his tenure, all of whom remain his personal friends. "Early on in my career,

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Association Leadership - September/October 2015

Message From the Magazine Chairman
Homepage
60-Second Solutions
Quick Takes
From the Public and Private Sectors to Association Management: Meet the New Tsae Chairman, Bill Keese, Cae
TSAE’s Newest Board Members
Is Your Website Safe?
Advancing Association Meeting Through Place-Based Education
Red Flags at the Board Table
Don’t: Tips for Reviewing Your Association’s Products and Services.
Destination Planner
New Members
Index to Advertisers
Work Smarter

Association Leadership - September/October 2015