The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) has appointed Mary Hennessy interim executive vice president, according to a Nov. 10 press release from the company.
The appointment comes in the wake of the announcement by IFAI board chair, Peter McKernan, on Oct. 24 that president/CEO Stephen Warner stepped down from this post.
Hennessy has been with IFAI for 23 years, most recently as the vice president of communications and publisher of IFAI’s seven industry magazines, including Geosynthetics. Susan Niemi, formerly the associate publisher and editorial director, will now step into the publisher position, the release said.
“IFAI stands as the voice of the specialty fabrics industry as it approaches its 100-year anniversary,” said Hennessy. “I am honored to be a part of the continuation of this great association.”
IFAI, based in the Twin Cities suburb of Roseville, Minn., is the largest and longest-running textile trade organization in the world, celebrating its 100-year anniversary in 2012. IFAI publishes seven market-specific magazines in print and online, organizes global industry events such as IFAI Expo Americas 2012 (Boston, Nov. 7-9) and Geosynthetics 2013 (Long Beach, April 1-4), and supports the growth of nearly 1,900 member companies from 54 countries.
The Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) is one of 12 market-segment divisions under the IFAI company umbrella.