The Association of Equipment Management Professionals (AEMP) is pleased to announce the selection of Donté P. Shannon, CAE, as its new Chief Executive Officer. Shannon replaces retiring CEO Stan Orr, FASAE, CAE, who will step down after 20 years at the helm of AEMP. Shannon has worked extensively in association management for 12 years, the last three as the Executive Director of the Specialty Advertising Association of California, a trade association representing a $3 billion industry and 5,600 companies. His career accomplishments include selection as a 2015 Forty Under 40 Award recipient by Association Forum of Chicagoland, and recognition as a 2011-2013 Diversity Education Leadership Program (DELP) Scholar by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), a national organization of nonprofit and association professionals.
A devoted professional, Shannon frequently speaks at conferences as a thought leader and currently serves as the 2018-2019 Chair-elect of the ASAE Certified Association Executive (CAE) Commission, the independent and certifying governing body of the CAE credential. Shannon earned his CAE credential in 2014.
Outgoing CEO Stan Orr says Shannon is uniquely qualified to continue the work of advancing AEMP's mission of building excellence in equipment management. "The work of the Board, especially the last four to five years, will continue," he says. "AEMP, under Donté's leadership, will expand its reach, demonstrating the critical importance equipment managers play in fleet-intensive organizations and the heavy equipment industry."
Orr continued, "It has been an honor and a privilege to be a part of the organization and watch the profession evolve to where it is today. I am confident Donté and the very capable team already in place will utilize the successes of the past to take AEMP to even greater successes."
AEMP Chairman of the Board Greg Peet, CEM, expressed his belief in AEMP's future under the guidance of Shannon. "I think Donté's skillset will be a great complement to what we are doing currently and will help propel AEMP into the future. His relative youth combined with wide-ranging experience and previous CEO experience will help us complete our transition from an operational to a strategic Board of Directors, shape and execute a new long-range strategic plan, continue to develop our staff and build upon the many partner relationships we have throughout the industry."
Shannon sees AEMP as a solid organization and is excited about being its next leader. "I am looking forward to partnering with staff to continue the association's legacy of success and working with Stan, an outstanding executive, to transition into the association," he said. "The association has a strong reputation in education and training within the equipment management profession. I would like to partner with the Board of Directors to continue making this a priority and evolving the organization to be cutting edge in its offerings. I look forward to learning more about the equipment management industry and building productive relationships." Shannon begins his role as CEO starting January 7, 2019.
