The National Association of Campus Card Users (NACCU) has announced that Dawn Thomas will be the association's next Executive Director effective July 1, 2016. Current Executive Director Lowell Adkins will continue in that role until then, with Thomas being officially introduced at the NACCU Annual Conference in San Francisco in April.

“I am pleased to announce Dawn as the new NACCU Executive Director,” says Brian Bollich, NACCU President. “Dawn brings 18 years of association management experience to NACCU.”

Most recently, Thomas served as leader of an association management firm. Prior to that, Thomas served 17 years at the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) in various positions, advancing to the position of Director of Membership, Marketing and Events.

In her role with NACA, Thomas led a group of teams that delivered a range of services from member recruitment and engagement, event management, facility sourcing, contract negotiations, and marketing and publications, all within a $4 million budget.

Prior to her service in the field of association management, Thomas worked eight years in various positions in student affairs at the University of South Carolina, Ball State University and Eastern Illinois University. Thomas received a bachelor’s degree in business administration (accounting) from Southeast Missouri State University before earning a master’s degree in educational leadership from Eastern Illinois University.

Thomas has also been involved in several professional organizations including the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), South Carolina Society of Association Executives (SCSAE) and Meeting Professionals International (MPI).

“Dawn is a dynamic leader with passion and broad experience in Association Management and Higher Education and her unique skill set will help position NACCU to thrive” says Ken Boyer, NACCU Search Committee Chair.

“It has been a great delight to follow the progress of the search committee and the NACCU leadership as they have thoughtfully and professionally moved through the Executive Director selection process," says Lowell Adkins, current NACCU Executive Director. "I am confident that they have chosen well and that Dawn will be a tremendous asset to NACCU as we head into a wonderful future.”

"I am honored and privileged to be appointed Executive Director of NACCU. I am excited to expand upon the impressive work accomplished by Lowell Adkins, the NACCU staff, the NACCU Board of Directors and all of the great volunteer leaders of this association to continue delivering value to both the school and corporate members," says Dawn Thomas about her new role as Executive Director of NACCU. "The continuous evolution of technology, coupled with the challenges facing institutions of higher education, makes NACCU a necessity for those looking for the best solutions. I look forward to meeting with members and business partners to discuss our association."