McDannell Named ArMA Executive Vice President

Libby McDannell, CAE, was named Executive Vice President of the Arizona Medical Association (ArMA) effective November 27, 2017.  McDannell will replace Chic Older, who will retire in December. Older has been the Executive Vice President of ArMA for 30 years and has been with the organization since 1984. Prior to becoming ArMA’s top executive Older served as ArMA’s Director of Government Affairs.

“The selection process was exhaustive. I am confident the ArMA Board has selected an exemplary candidate in Libby McDannell to lead the organization,” said Older.

McDannell is an experienced nonprofit leader with a record of organizational growth. Since 2014, McDannell has served as the CEO/Executive Vice President of the American Society of Transplantation (AST), the largest organization of transplant professionals in North America. Prior to her position with AST, McDannell served as Executive Director for three other national associations. She has more than 15 years of executive management experience, specifically in the nonprofit, healthcare field.

“After an extensive and comprehensive national search, our search committee and Board unanimously selected Libby as the most outstanding candidate for the position. We are delighted that she has accepted and enthusiastically welcome her to ArMA,” said ArMA President Michael Hamant, MD. “Filling the shoes of Chic Older will not be easy for any successor; we are absolutely confident that Libby’s expertise, vision, and philosophy of association management make her the best fit for ArMA as we move forward with our plans for growth and service to our members.”

As the incoming Executive Vice President, McDannell will serve as the chief staff executive and oversee all association activities. She plans to work in concert with the board of directors and devote her time to executive management, advancing ArMA’s advocacy agenda, exploration of partnerships, and new program development.

“I’m honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead this exceptional organization,” said McDannell. “During his tenure, Chic Older’s vision and leadership have established ArMA as the leading society representing the interests of physicians and patients in Arizona. At a time when healthcare is undergoing a foundational transformation, the opportunities that lie ahead for ArMA are enormous. The ability to lead this next chapter is both humbling and exhilarating, a terrific opportunity that any leader would welcome.”