Chief Executive Officer
The Client
NACE International is a leading international professional association with approximately 36,000 members located in 140 countries. The organization has revenues of approximately $40 million and a staff of 130, 100 of whom are located at headquarters and the balance located in other offices domestically and internationally. NACE is built upon decades of knowledge and expertise from dedicated members all around the world.
The Challenge
NACE was seeking to recruit a new CEO for the organization. NACE sought a unique mix of professional experience in potential candidates including strong association management background, deep subject matter expertise in engineering, and also international experience. Additionally, the new executive would be following on the heels of a long-standing CEO.
The Solution
Managing Partner David Martin worked closely with NACE International’s Search Committee in the recruitment of Mr. Robert Chalker as the new CEO where he has served since 2010. Chalker was previously with the American Society of Quality (ASQ), a global professional association, with 85,000 members worldwide, where he was noted for being a dynamic leader with a vast background in strategic planning and global development. ASQ advances the professional development, credentials, knowledge and information services, membership community, and advocacy. There, Chalker had served as Managing Director & CEO of ASQ Global, a wholly owned subsidiary of the American Society for Quality.
Prior to that, Chalker served as Director, Global Development and Strategic Planning at SAE International for five years where he was responsible for the Society’s $57 million in revenues, and setting the sales and marketing direction for the global, 115,000 member organization. Additionally, he led the organization’s customer service team, membership and section activities, pre-professional educational initiatives and the SAE Foundation. From 1981 – 2003, Bob worked for Delphi Corporation where his most recent assignment was as Sales Director and Global Customer Manager. During his twenty two -year career with Delphi he held positions in sales, engineering and manufacturing.
The combination of his ASQ Global, SAE International, and Delphi experience allowed Bob to develop a unique, in-depth understanding of the diverse and complex customer requirements within the global market place. Bob earned his MBA at Oakland University (Rochester, Michigan) and completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Cincinnati, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering.
