ư涶

Steve Smith Joins ư涶 Ownership Group

Steve Smith Joins ư涶 Ownership Group

By ư涶

We're pleased to announce that Steve Smith, CEO, has joined our company's ownership group as a managing partner.

ư涶 was founded 50 years ago by Art and Dagny Engle, who grew the business before transitioning leadership to their sons. Following in their parents’ footsteps, Scott, Jeff, and Mark Engle, provided oversight and leadership of ư涶 for more than two decades and continue to serve as members of ư涶’s Board. Smith will continue in his role as CEO, overseeing day-to-day strategy and operations, working closely with members of ư涶’s leadership and management teams.

“Steve is a compassionate, connected, caring leader who is focused on quality, innovation, and performance,” noted Mark Engle, board member and a senior consultant with ư涶. “I have the pleasure of seeing him work with our board, our staff, and the associations we serve. He is inclusive, authentic, and inspires confidence as ư涶 helps our clients and consulting partners ‘achieve what they believe’.”

“Steve has a track record of elevating and supporting high performing boards and creating strategic partnerships with association executives and staff,” said Jeff Engle, chair of ư涶’s Board. “His steady and strong leadership results in greater engagement, collaboration, growth, and success for ư涶’s partners and employees.”

“ư涶 is in great hands with Steve at the helm,” added Scott Engle, former ư涶 CEO and current board member. “We are pleased he is joining our ownership group and look forward to continuing our work together.”

Smith joined ư涶 in 2007, serving as CEO of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM), an ư涶 client partner, for 12 years. In 2018, he expanded his role and focus as ư涶 Vice President of Client Relations. Two years later, he succeeded Scott Engle as CEO of ư涶 in April of 2020.

Active in the Association community, Smith has engaged in numerous volunteer roles with the ư涶 Institute (ư涶I), Association Forum of Chicagoland, American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), and American Association of Medical Society Executives (AAMSE). He earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from Illinois State University, where he serves on the Alumni Association Board of Directors and advisory councils with the ISU Mennonite College of Nursing and School of Communications.

Smith has received recognition for his leadership, including the Samuel B. Shapiro Award for Chief Staff Executive achievement, and the John C. Thiel Distinguished Service Award for exceptional, long-term volunteer service, both awarded by Association Forum. He is also a recognized Fellow of the AAMSE and was inducted into the Illinois State University Steve and Sandi Adams Student Affairs Hall of Fame.

“I remain deeply committed to my role as ư涶’s CEO and am excited to be a managing partner,” said Smith. “Having the ability participate on both the board and the management team provides a unique perspective and opportunity to innovate and accelerate growth for our company as well as our client partners.”

ư涶 Association Management Center (ư涶)

ư涶 is a trusted partner to 28 leading healthcare, scientific, and professional associations. With a staff of more than 150 association professionals, we provide strategic guidance to boards and volunteers and oversee day-to-day operations, making it possible for our association partners to advance their missions  and achieve their business goals.

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