Bethel, Conn. — The Society of Plastics Engineers has named strategic growth veteran William Sheehan to a newly created position heading SPE's Strategic Business Development department.
“Sheehan will be responsible for identifying new commercial strategies in order to grow SPE's non-dues revenues,” SPE said in a statement announcing the news Feb. 8.
“Bill brings 20-plus years of senior executive experience with trade associations and technology companies.” said Russell Broome, managing director of the Bethel-based SPE. “He will play a key role in SPE's mission of growing commercial strategy for non-dues revenue and taking it the next level.”
Sheehan comes to plastics from the representatives of candy and snacks. He has served in a senior executive capacity for the National Confectioners Association and the Snack Food Association. Sheehan also has worked with several trade association services companies including Naylor Association Solutions, SmithBucklin and Multiview.
His expertise includes helping trade groups improve business relationships between their membership and their customers, and helping associations increase and sustain member engagement and non-dues income.
Sheehan graduated from James Madison University with a bachelor's degree in business and marketing.
The hiring follows the hire, in October, of Allan Lee as IT operations manager. Lee manages all applications and integrations for SPE websites, apps, association management systems, email marketing automation and external communication platforms. He also is in charge of internal systems for SPE's global staff.
SPE also announced two promotions which became effective at the start of 2016: Kathy Schacht was promoted to manager of group services and volunteer resources. Gene Havel is now project manager.
