The American Institute of Architects has appointed Christine McEntee, formerly CEO of the American College of Cardiology (ACC), as the Institute’s new executive vice president and chief executive officer, effective February 1, 2006. McEntee succeeds AIA Executive Vice President/CEO Norman L. Koonce, FAIA, who will retire December 31, 2005.

A recognized leader in association management, McEntee distinguished herself as a leader in organizations facing increasingly complex and changing environments. She held senior leadership positions in some of the most well-known associations, including the American Hospital Association (AHA) and AARP.

“The AIA designed an approach to lead us to the right person, and it worked,” said Eugene C. Hopkins, FAIA, 2004 AIA president and chair of the EVP/CEO Search Committee, who issued a detailed account of the selection process. “Norman Koonce created a legacy through generous giving of his special skills, passion, leadership, and commitment to the profession he truly loves. As a result, the AIA can confidently look to the future, and Christine McEntee is a perfect choice to partner with us as we enter a new era. Her demonstrated skills are precisely what we need as we set the course for our next 150 years.”

Building on successes
During McEntee’s seven and a half years with ACC, the organization grew from $38 million to $50 million in revenue, membership increased to 33,000, and staff size from 168 to 215. She believes these successes were achieved by listening to member needs, learning member practice pressures, developing an understanding of the future and members’ value to society, and working with members to create and implement new strategic directions.

“I am very excited to be joining the Institute at this time in its history,” said McEntee. “The American Institute of Architects, building on its rich heritage, is poised to lead nationally and worldwide in designing safe, healthy, and livable communities for the future. I am extremely energized to be working with such a dedicated cadre of professionals who are deeply committed to making lives better through spaces and environments they create.”

Prior to joining the ACC, McEntee spent 12 years with the AHA, ending her tenure as the executive vice president. She also served as vice president and deputy director, Federal Relations, and began her AHA service as the director, Office of Constituency Relations. As executive vice president, she provided executive management to a staff of 150 with a $23 million budget.

Douglas L Steidl, FAIA, MRAIC, 2005 AIA president, commented, “Christine McEntee brings the necessary skills and the practical experience to lead a multi-faceted, 300-component professional association. Her understanding of the complexities of such an organization, combined with her ability to listen, integrate, and respond in a thoughtful and appropriate manner, make her ideal for the position. She will provide visionary leadership to the AIA, focused on advocacy, knowledge, and community. I'm excited about the future,” he added.

Earlier in her career, McEntee held various positions during her five- year tenure with AARP. While there, she piloted and implemented the nationwide Medicare Assistance program that trained more than 1,000 volunteer counselors to assist seniors with their health insurance claims. She ended her work with AARP as a legislative representative, where she worked as their chief lobbyist as well as editor of the Legislative Report.

The right person at the right time
“Chris McEntee is the right person at the right time to take the AIA to the next level of influence and engagement,” said Kate Schwennsen, FAIA, first vice president and 2006 AIA president. “With her experience, knowledge, and leadership style, she will help the AIA become the knowledge-based, collaborative organization it needs to be in the 21st century. I very much look forward to working with her. Schwennsen added, “She and I are being given the keys to an organization that has achieved great success. I am confident that she will make the place even better than she found it.”

McEntee holds a master of health administration from the George Washington University and a bachelor of nursing from Georgetown University. A graduate of the Advanced Executive Program at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, she currently serves on the board of directors of the American Society of Association Executives, and the Edmund Burke School. She is also a guest lecturer at Georgetown University School of Business and listed in Crain’s Chicago’s Business as an “Under 40 mover and shaker.” She received the Greater Washington Society of Association Executives (GWSAE) Executive Update’s “Smart CEO” award and served as a GWSAE visionary in 2002.

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