CWA Executive Director Sheila Wertz to Retire; Deborah Hodges Appointed Executive...

CWA Executive Director Sheila Wertz to Retire; Deborah Hodges Appointed
Executive Director

BUFFALO GROVE, Ill., April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.
SOURCE Construction Writers Association

Sheila Wertz, Executive Director of Construction Writers Association,
+1-847-398-7756, or Fax, +1-847-590-5241, office@constructionwriters.org