AUG/SEPT 2004
Volume 10 - No. 3
SRNT Newsletter
August/September 2004, Volume 10, Number 3
Transition in SRNT Executive Directorship
President Ken Warner recently announced that Beth Klipping, SRNT's Executive Director for the past four years, resigned as of June 30 in order to return to school. SRNT would like to thank Beth for her dedication to the SRNT mission and service to our organization. Past-President Ken Perkins comments, "I'm glad for Beth that she's moving on to further her career but I'm sorry to see her leave TRG and SRNT. I thought she did an outstanding job and was extremely pleasant to work with."
Last year's president, Nancy Rigotti, echoed these sentiments. "Beth really cares about SRNT's goals. She put her heart and soul into managing a sometimes rambunctious organization as it rebounded from a difficult period of administrative and financial turmoil. She helped us stabilize and then very capably managed us through several exciting and busy years of rapid growth. Beth is a big part of why we are doing as well as we are and SRNT owes her a big debt. Personally, I'll miss her calm, steady presence and I wish her the best."
Beth joined The Rees Group (TRG) in 2000. She became SRNT Executive Director that summer and first introduced herself to many of us at the World Conference on Tobacco or Health (WCTOH) in Chicago that August. We quickly learned that she was extremely organized and effective in helping SRNT get back on track during a period of transition. Beth worked closely with each president and program chair to oversee all administrative aspects of SRNT, including preparing for each annual meeting. Many SRNT officers attribute much of the smooth functioning of the meetings to Beth's leadership and attention to detail. Beth was responsible for both SRNT and the Society for Behavioral Medicine (SBM). Despite the responsibility of managing two large and vibrant organizations, she was able to stay on top of issues and effectively handle a large number of organizational details. We all wish Beth well in her new endeavors.
Effective July 6, Bruce Wheeler assumed the position of SRNT Executive Director. Bruce received his B.A. from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He comes to us from his most recent position as Director of Grants and Communications for the National Credit Union Foundation, where his responsibilities included oversight of NCUF's CIF-funded grants portfolio (approximately $2.5 million); direction of the Credit Union Development Education (CUDE) Program; supervision of NCUF fundraising staff; and supervision of NCUF marketing/PR staff. He served as a NCUF liaison to the State Credit Union Foundations Network and as a liaison to the NCUF Grants Committee. He is involved in volunteer work for Outreach, Inc (board strategic planning); AIDS Network (fundraising); and WORT (radio program producer/host), and, in 1999, was awarded Volunteer of the Year by the Credit Union Development Education Program.
As President Ken Warner notes, "We are fortunate to have hired such a strong and experienced candidate. Bruce's background, energy, and enthusiasm should contribute significantly to strengthening the Society. Join us in welcoming Bruce to SRNT! "