Management News

SmithBucklin selects CLMA

CHICAGO — SmithBucklin has been selected by the Clinical Laboratory Management Association as its full-service management partner.

CLMA is the premier resource for laboratory professionals, supporting them at every stage of their careers. The association relocated to SmithBucklin’s offices in Chicago, Ill.

Founded in 1976, CLMA is an international association of 3,500 clinical laboratory professionals. CLMA educates and advocates on behalf of its members and plays a leadership role in enhancing the image and increasing the visibility of its profession.

"SmithBucklin will provide CLMA with best-in-class educational programs, publications, seminars and networking opportunities that will allow us to continue to serve our current and future members at the highest quality level possible,” said C. Anne Pontius, CLMA president. “I am confident that SmithBucklin’s unparalleled expertise and breadth of resources will help us to expand our reach to the members and the industry we serve.”

One of SmithBucklin’s immediate priorities for the association will be to help plan and manage CLMA ThinkLab ’10 (sponsored by Orchard Software) Conference & Exhibition, May 3-6 in Las Vegas, Nev., including education and its trade show.

Mary Beth Hepp has been selected to serve as CEO for CLMA. Hepp joined SmithBucklin in 1999 as Executive Director of the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates, Inc. (SGNA), an 8,500-member professional organization of nurses and associates dedicated to the safe and effective practice of gastroenterology and endoscopy nursing. Previously, Hepp worked for the American Red Cross in a number of capacities and locations. During her tenure in National Sales and Customer Support in Washington, D.C., she created and implemented health and safety training programs for 1,500 chapters and thousands of volunteers nationwide. She later was appointed Director of Health and Safety Program Sales and Services in Chicago.

Hepp holds a Bachelor of Science in marketing from Northern Illinois University and an MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management at DeVry University. She has authored articles for Associations Now and is a regular contributor to Conversations in Leadership of Professional Nursing Associations.

“We are excited to be working with an association so committed to providing products and services that its members seek to have successful careers,” SmithBucklin Chairman & CEO Henry S. Givray said. “We are confident that our expertise and best practices in the healthcare field will help CLMA to accomplish its goals and grow as an organization.” [Feb. 11, 2010]

SmithBucklin is the world’s largest association management and professional services company. Founded in 1949, the company provides full-service management and outsourcing services to trade associations, professional societies, technology user groups, corporations, government institutes/agencies and other nonprofit organizations. SmithBucklin’s mission is to drive growth for its client organizations and provide uncompromised stewardship for their long-term prosperity. SmithBucklin offices are located in Chicago, Washington, D.C., St. Louis and St. Paul, Minn. and the SmithBucklin + MCI Worldwide Partnership provides client organizations with seamless association and event management services from more than 40 offices throughout the world. The company is 100 percent employee owned.