CWA Executive Director Sheila Wertz to Retire; Deborah Hodges Appointed Executive Director
April, 2008
Buffalo Grove, IL – Construction Writers Association Executive Director Sheila Wertz is retiring after 12 years of service to the association. After an extensive search for her replacement, the association has appointed Deborah Hodges, who will open a new CWA office in Chicago on June 1, 2008.
Wertz, who is a graduate of Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University, has mixed magazine journalism and association management during her career. A former editor of Interior Construction magazine and a CWA member, she became the association’s newsletter editor in 1995 and its secretary-treasurer (now called executive director) in 1996.
For most of her career, Wertz worked for association management companies where she edited publications, provided public relations support, and managed a variety of associations – many in the construction field. Among her proudest achievements was conversion of two law-related association newsletters into four-color magazines supported by advertising.
“CWA is my all-time favorite client,” Wertz says. “We’ve quadrupled the organization from 75 to 300 members, and the budget is now five times larger than it was in 1996. CWA has become a very successful volunteer-driven organization. Our members have worked hard to create two well-attended meetings each year, four recognition programs, and a strong presence on the internet. I’ve been pleased to support their efforts.”
Hodges is the principal of Golden Square LLC, Chicago, an association management and professional services firm. She is a member of CWA and of the Society of Marketing Professional Services. She has been education director, vice president and president of the Chicago chapter of SMPS, chair of the national mentoring committee, and a grant recipient for a national SMPS project. She has held marketing roles for Bovis Lend Lease, Plunkett Raysich Architects, OWP/P, and RTKL, all construction and design-related firms.
Hodges has also held leadership roles with associations such as National Association of Corporate Real Estate Executives, Design Build Institute of America-Midwest, and several health-related organizations. Recently, she managed the transition of the Chicago Health Executives Forum to a fully chartered chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
“Deborah’s marketing background is just what CWA needs to move to the next level,” says Wertz. “She has much to offer the association, and I wish her and the association great success in the future.”
The Construction Writers Association was founded in 1958 and will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2008. CWA is a non-profit, non-partisan, international organization for professional journalists, writers, editors, photographers, marketers and publicists serving the information needs of the construction industry. In addition to its journalism, photography, marketing communications and website/electronic communications awards programs, CWA provides educational meetings and networking opportunities for its members. For more information, visit the Construction Writers Association website at www.constructionwriters.org.
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Deborah J. Hodges
Executive Director
P.O. Box 14784
Chicago, Illinois 60614
Telephone 773 687-8726
Fax 773 687-8627
info@constructionwriters.org