Caruso Group International (CGI) announced a change in leadership on January 4. Founded in 1980 by Ellen Caruso, CGI directs operations for the Home Care Association of Colorado and other Colorado professional associations.
Effective January 1, Sarah A. Myers, a Certified Association Executive (CAE)* with more than 13 years of experience leading state and national associations, assumed the positions of President and Chief Executive Officer of CGI. Ellen Caruso will remain as CGI’s Director of Government Relations; CEO Fred Caruso is retiring.
A registered lobbyist, Ms. Myers hails from Oregon where she has served as Executive Director for the Oregon Association for Home Care since 1996 in her capacity as a Government Relations Consultant for Legislative Advocates, Inc., a private consulting and lobbying firm. She has also been a supervising manager to the Oregon Cable Telecommunications Association and, through 2009, Chair to the national Council of State Home Care Associations.
“We are extremely pleased that Ms. Myers, with her talents and accomplishments, will lead our team of association professionals,” said Ellen Caruso. “CGI will continue to provide a high level of service to the association business community of Colorado as well as to national and international clients. Her leadership and expertise ensure CGI continues to grow through our core mission and principles.”
“I am pleased to bring to CGI a diverse level of knowledge and experience and to be leading a team of professionals dedicated to quality service to the association community,” said Myers. In her new position with CGI she will direct all services for the current client base as well as seek new opportunities for growth for the 30 year old firm.
“I am a dedicated marathon runner who knows what it takes to go the distance with patience, perseverance, dedication and commitment in order to achieve long term goals” Myers added. “We will continue the work and achievements to-date and build on our strengths to advance new opportunities.”
CGI was founded in 1980 by Ellen Caruso, who will continue to focus on and expand the firm’s legislative and regulatory division, concentrating primarily on state and federal health care issues. “I have always enjoyed legislative and policy work; now I’ll have the opportunity to concentrate on and expand these arenas that have been growing rapidly over the years,” said Caruso.
Ms. Myers’ arrival coincides with CGI CEO Fred Caruso’s retirement from the firm after 42 years in the association management field. He will concentrate on his writing and publishing career from his offices in Colorado and West Cork, Ireland. Since 1977, he has written and published four books, two on the role of trade and professional associations in society, one on Montana history and a personal memoir, “Born Again Irish,” describing how a near-tragedy led to a New Yorker of Italian descent falling in love with Ireland.
A special open house will be held for the association community at the CGI offices on January 29 to welcome Ms. Myers and honor Fred Caruso’s accomplishments and contributions.
In addition to the Home Care Association of Colorado, CGI has managed operations of the American Physical Therapy Association / Colorado Chapter since the early 1980s. Ms. Myers brings with her the Oregon Association for Home Care. In 2010, CGI will welcome the Colorado Center for Hospice and Palliative Care (CCHPC). Other clients include the Colorado Nurses Foundation, the Colorado Chapter of APTA Private Practice physical therapists and the International Association of Reservation Executives. CGI also manages audio- and web-based educational programs for the nationally-acclaimed Institute for Participatory Management & Planning and dozens of associations throughout the U.S. Last year these programs provided education to an estimated 10,000 individuals.
*Editor’s Note: ASAE awards the designation of CAE to less than 5% of association executives worldwide. The designation is a mark of excellence and commitment to advancing the knowledge of and achievement in the profession of association management.
