The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) announced today that Bonnie Polvinale, CMP, will serve as interim chief executive officer (CEO) until a permanent CEO is hired to lead the organization. In addition, the association has officially launched the search process for a new CEO with the hiring of an executive search firm and the appointment of a CEO Search Board Workgroup (CEOSWG).

Polvinale has served in various leadership roles at APTA over the past 34 years. She is currently APTA's vice president of member relations and is responsible for a 34-person division that encompasses the departments of member services, membership development, professional development, meeting services, and minority and women's initiatives. She will continue to serve in this capacity during her tenure as interim CEO. Polvinale's other leadership roles at APTA have included vice president of governance, components, and meetings, and director of conferences and meeting services. Polvinale will succeed APTA CEO John Barnes, who will be leaving the organization effective July 31.

"Bonnie's broad and deep understanding of the association and the profession will serve us well as we conduct the search for a new CEO," said APTA President Paul Rockar Jr, PT, DPT, MS.

In addition to her work with APTA, Polvinale is a member of the Professional Convention Management Association and has served on the Hilton Hotels Corporate Advisory Panel. She has also been very involved in community outreach through ALIVE! and other charitable organizations in the Alexandria, Virginia, area.

In conjunction with Polvinale's appointment, APTA also announced the hiring of executive search firm Isaacson, Miller, to lead the effort. In addition, a CEOSWG was appointed, comprising members of APTA's Executive Committee and members representing various constituencies of the association, including chapters, sections, new professionals, and those with long-term association experience.

Executive Committee members are:
Paul Rockar Jr, PT, DPT, MS
Sharon Dunn, PT, PhD, OCS
Laurie Hack, PT, DPT, MBA, PhD, FAPTA
Roger Herr, PT, MPA, COS-C
Elmer Platz, PT

Other members of the CEOSWG are:
Susan Appling, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS (TN)
Steve Anderson, PT, DPT (WA)
Daniel Dale, PT, DPT (GA)
David Emerick Sr, PTA, BBA (VA)
Colleen Kigin, PT, DPT, MS, MPA, FAPTA (MA)
Craig Moore, PT, MS (FL)

Hack and Dunn will co-chair the CEOSWG.

APTA's goal is to hold the first meeting of the CEOSWG by teleconference in mid-July, when members will begin developing the desired criteria for a new CEO. Advertising for the position will begin shortly after the first workgroup meeting, and candidate interviews will be held throughout the fall, with the goal of having a new CEO on board in early 2014.

This announcement and future updates concerning the CEO search will appear on the APTA Staff page of APTA.org.