Heather Rhoderick Takes Over as VMA President

After an exhaustive search by the Executive Search Committee, Heather Rhoderick, CAE, was named president of the Valve Manufacturers Association (VMA). “I’m honored to join the team at VMA as their president. The association has a strong record of success in serving the flow control industry, and I look forward to working with the membership and staff to build on that,” Rhoderick said. She takes on the role previously held by William “Bill” Sandler, who retired this year after more than 40 years with the organization, 22 of those years as president.

Rhoderick brings to VMA extensive experience in association management. Her most recent position was senior vice president of events and information for the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) where she was responsible for several major efforts including evaluating the trade show and suggesting ways to increase profitability, finding new and improved sources of non-dues revenue, leading a branding and identity effort, heading up a major marketing and communication campaign and heading educational efforts. She increased profitability for non-dues revenue by 60% over a six-year period.

Rhoderick was with ACMA for 11 years. Before that, she held association leadership roles at the Newspaper Association of America and the American Chemistry Council, both in Arlington, VA. In total, she has 24 years of trade organization experience.

Rhoderick holds an MBA from Virginia Tech, and a BA in Political Science from the University of Delaware. She is also a Certified Association Executive and a Certified Meeting Professional.

Heading up VMA promises to be a challenging and rewarding task, Rhoderick says.

“I believe that VMA is well positioned for growth and am excited to help lead the organization so that it provides a forum to address common issues and brings value-added programs to its members and the industry that support growth and knowledge.”

Genilee Parente is managing editor of VALVE Magazine.