MISSION, Kan. — The executive director for the American Reusable Textile Association (ARTA) is retiring and a South Carolina-based association management firm has been selected to lead ARTA effective Saturday.
After serving 16 years, Nancy Jenkins is leaving the Association to launch her retirement career as a licensed professional counselor. ARTA’s Board of Directors has chosen Craft, an association management firm based in South Carolina and led by Jim Ritchie, to lead ARTA beginning Aug. 1.
Jenkins will help with the transfer before officially departing at the end of September.
“Nancy has been instrumental in helping grow ARTA’s education conferences, coordinate peer-reviewed LCA research, and develop a robust website,” says ARTA President Gabriel Boardman. “And we wish her the best as she begins her next adventure.”
Jenkins joined ARTA in 2003 as editor of its bimonthly newsletter. In 2007, with the retirement of Bill Carroll, she stepped into the executive director role. The ARTA Board of Directors began its search for new leadership late last year.
Based on its goals for the future, the Board believed that Craft was best positioned to help ARTA meet its growth objectives.
“Craft has the bandwidth to provide the services our members need and want,” says Boardman. “And personally, we believe Craft and its staff are a good cultural fit for ARTA and the textile services industry.”
Craft opened its doors in Columbia, S.C., in 2017. It defines itself as a firm delivering realized value through difference-making strategies crafted with clear vision.
“We help our clients craft a roadmap to success,” says CEO Ritchie. “We do this by developing strategies built on strengthening member connectivity and improving the association’s impact. When our clients see tangible wins in their business from their membership investment, that drives the association forward and affects the greater good.”
Ritchie brings 30 years of legal and public policy experience to Craft, where his work focuses on association leadership, government relations, and strategic planning for its clients.
Founded in 1982 by Nathan Belkin, Ph.D., ARTA’s mission is to create greater appreciation and demand for reusable textiles. Membership is open to all in the textile services industry, and its members include allied associates, suppliers, manufacturers, and commercial, institutional and cooperative laundry operators.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Matt Poe at [email protected].
