Aug 18, 2015

The Greeting Card Association names new executive director

The Greeting Card Association (GCA) named Peter Doherty, CAE, as its executive director, effective August 17.

“We are delighted to have a leader with the track record in association management that Peter brings to the GCA,” said Steve Doyal, president, GCA. “His success engaging and increasing membership will position the GCA for growth as it marks its 75th anniversary.”

Doherty, a Certified Association Executive, joins the GCA from the National Association for Music Education (NAME), where he was director of constituencies and organizational development. Under his leadership, NAME achieved membership gains for the first time in FY2013, following a seven-year decline. Doherty managed its membership department and standardized membership operations for a 62,000-member professional society.

“I look forward to working with the board and broader membership to build on GCA’s success,” said Doherty. “And GCA’s convention at the end of September provides me with a great opportunity to meet with many members early in my tenure,” he said.

Throughout his career, Doherty has engaged members and volunteers as a senior staff member and as executive director for a variety of nonprofits since taking his first position in 1996. He has worked with trade associations in the real estate, transportation and utility industries, scientific and professional societies, arts organizations, medical societies and certification boards.

Doherty earned his Bachelors in Music Industry from James Madison University (Harrisonburg, Virginia.). He has volunteered for the Greater Washington Society for Association Executives, and has authored articles for ASAE’s Membership Developments.