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AMPED Association Management is pleased to announce that Laura Ransone, MBA has taken on a new role as Executive Director of the Women In Trucking Foundation. The Women In Trucking Foundation provides scholarships to ensure that women in the trucking industry have the support they need to grow their skills and themselves. Ransone oversees operations of the organization and works directly with the Board of Directors and sponsors working to grow the organization’s reach.

Ransone’s professional background includes expertise in project management, relationship building, program development, communications, event planning, and strategic planning. She was named a top Rising Star in the meetings industry by Meetings and Conventions; was honored as a 2019 Emerging Leader Awardee for In House Communications from Washington Women in PR; and selected to join American University’s leadership development program, WeLead. Ransone received a bachelor’s degree in Business with a concentration in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Virginia Tech, and an MBA from George Mason University.

In addition to her role with the Women In Trucking Foundation, Ransone will continue to serve as Associate Director of Women in Government Relations (WGR), a professional association client of AMPED.

AMPED Association Management is pleased to announce that Michelle Czosek, CAE will take on a new role as Executive Director of the Tavern League of Wisconsin (TLW). The TLW is transitioning to AMPED management starting May 1, 2021.

Czosek will oversee operations of the organization and work directly with the Board of Directors on strategy and budget. She will be supported by a team of seven at AMPED who will focus on the TLW’s operations, finances, meetings, trade shows, communications, and overall growth.

Czosek has over 30 years of experience managing a variety of professional and trade associations with expertise in education, event planning, membership and governance.

In addition to her role with the TLW, Czosek will continue to serve as Executive Director of the National Air Filtration Association and Executive Director of the Wisconsin Society of Association Executives, both association clients of AMPED.

AMPED Association Management, an accredited full-service association management company (AMC) with offices in Madison, Wisconsin and Metro Washington, DC, has been selected to manage the Tavern League of Wisconsin (TLW).

As a partner with the TLW, AMPED will bring a wealth of trade association experience and provide full management services, including leadership, strategic planning, governance, policy, membership development, meeting planning, industry relations, financial management, and communications.

Michelle Czosek, CAE will serve as Executive Director of the TLW, overseeing all operations of the organization and working directly with the Board of Directors on strategy and budget. Michelle has over 30 years of experience managing a variety of professional and trade associations with expertise in education, event planning, membership and governance.

Tony Veroeven will serve as the Vice President of External Relations, focusing on partnerships and membership growth. Tony’s expertise in marketing, sales, and member relations will help guide the growth of the TLW and its Foundation.

“AMPED is very excited to be working with the TLW,” said Czosek. “We look forward to communicating the value of the TLW and working in partnership with the volunteer leaders so that they can focus on advancing the TLW and its mission with confidence, knowing that management and operations are in experienced hands.”

According to Chris Marsicano, TLW President, “AMPED provides a more cost-effective structure for the TLW and will deliver the highest quality services and benefits to all our members, while achieving our long-term goals. With AMPED, we will have the strength in technology, creativity, and focused management that will ensure the TLW’s value and relevance for years to come.”

The Tavern League of Wisconsin is a non-profit trade association dedicated to serving the needs of the retail beverage alcohol segment of the hospitality industry in the State of Wisconsin. The League provides their 5,000 members with legislative and government relations, legal information, and educational programs. The TLW Foundation contributes over $12 million to over 15,000 Wisconsin charities annually. The TLW SafeRide Program provides an average of 90,000 free rides home for patrons every year, contributing to a decline in alcohol-related fatalities.

The TLW is the latest of several stand-alone associations that AMPED has helped transition into the AMC model in the last few years. Especially during times of uncertainty, AMCs have the experience and resources to showcase the value of membership and take associations to the next level in their growth and initiatives.

AMPED Association Management is pleased to announce that Donté P. Shannon, FASAE, CAE will take on a new role as President and CEO of the Woodworking Machinery Industry Association (WMIA). WMIA is transitioning to AMPED management starting April 1, 2021. Shannon will oversee operations of the organization and work directly with the Board of Directors, members, and sponsors. He will be supported by a team of four at AMPED who will focus on WMIA’s operations, finance, partnerships, meetings, trade shows, industry relations, and overall growth.

Shannon has more than 14 years of association management experience, working with both trade and professional associations, including foundations. A recognized leader in the field, some of his key career accomplishments include being named an American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Fellow, former CAE Commission Chair, and a Diversity Education Leadership Program (DELP) Scholar.

In addition to his role with WMIA, Shannon will continue to serve as CEO of the Association of Equipment Management Professionals (AEMP), a trade association client of AMPED.

AMPED Association Management, an accredited full-service association management company with offices in Madison, Wisconsin and Metro Washington, DC, has been selected to manage the Woodworking Machinery Industry Association (WMIA).

As a partner with WMIA, AMPED will bring a wealth of trade association experience and provide full management services, including leadership, strategic planning, governance, policy, membership development, meeting planning, industry relations, financial management, and communications.
WMIA is one of many stand-alone associations that AMPED has helped transition into the AMC model. In fact, two-thirds of their 18 clients were stand-alone organizations before joining AMPED.

“For the past few years, and especially during the pandemic, we’ve seen a trend of more stand-alone associations looking to AMCs to manage their operations,” said AMPED President and Owner Lynda J. Patterson, FASAE CAE. “AMCs have the experience and resources to not only take their organizations to the next level in terms of growth and initiatives, but also to showcase the value of association membership during times of uncertainty.”

Donté P. Shannon, FASAE, CAE will serve as President and CEO of WMIA, overseeing operations of the organization and working directly with the Board of Directors, members, and sponsors. He will be supported by a team of four at AMPED who will focus on WMIA’s operations, finance, partnerships, meetings, trade shows, industry relations, and growth.
“AMPED is very excited to be working with WMIA,” said Shannon. “We look forward to communicating the value of WMIA and working in partnership with the volunteer leaders so that they can focus on advancing WMIA and its mission with confidence, knowing that management and operations are in experienced hands.”

According to Jim Besonen, WMIA Chairman of the Board, “AMPED provides a more cost-effective structure for WMIA and will deliver the highest quality services and benefits to all our members, while achieving our long-term goal of being the premier trade association for woodworking machinery and supplies providers in North America. With AMPED, we will have the strength in technology, creativity, and focused management that will ensure WMIA’s value and relevance for years to come.”

Since 1978, the Woodworking Machinery Industry Association (WMIA) has represented importers and distributors of woodworking machinery and ancillary equipment in North America. WMIA is the recognized voice of importers and distributors and serves as a vital communications link between suppliers and manufacturers of wood products in North America.