News

On behalf of the ICE Board of Directors, as ICE Secretary I am pleased to make the following announcement:

Attendees at our 2017 conference learned of Ken Godfrey’s intention to retire from his position as ICE Executive Director effective November 30, 2018.  Ken was the first Executive Director of ICE and has served in that capacity for over 15 years.  Ken was instrumental in the original establishment of ICE as a non-profit association and has enthusiastically served the ICE Board and its membership ever since.  Additionally, Ken has become a valuable business partner and friend to ICE’s many exhibitor partners who are important allies to the success of our association.

In response to this announcement, the ICE Board formed a Search Committee which was chaired by former ICE President and current Board member Tom Yodzis.  Search Committee members included Lisa Cameron, ICE Vice President and Nancy Bennett, ICE Secretary.  The Search Committee identified and conducted interviews with a number of qualified candidates.  Following those interviews, the committee brought forth its recommendation to the full Board.

We’re pleased to announce that Gary Woodring, currently serving his second term as ICE President, has been selected to become the new Executive Director of ICE.  Gary formalized his candidacy with the Board simultaneous to his recently announced retirement from Chubb.  It is important to note that Gary had been fully transparent with the Board about his future plans and has regularly recused himself from any Board meetings, discussions, or decisions surrounding the Executive Director Search process.

To properly effect this change, we’ve had to make some organizational adjustments.  Gary has resigned his position as ICE President effective June 25th.  At that time, as stipulated in the ICE By-Laws, Lisa Cameron, currently ICE Vice President, will assume the duties of ICE President.  Lisa will remain as Vice President serving in the capacity of President until formal elections are held during our fall Board meeting (which is conducted annually as the Board gathers for our annual conference).

Gary will be transitioning with Ken through the end of November when, upon Ken’s retirement, he will become the new ICE Executive Director.

Gary’s involvement with ICE spans nearly 20 years during which he has always sought to serve in leadership oriented positions.  For many years he chaired the Planning Committee, he has held the position of ICE Board Member, Vice President, and is currently serving as ICE President.  The ICE Board is thrilled that he will be continuing his long-standing and exemplified commitment to ICE as our next Executive Director.

Nancy Bennett
ICE Secretary