NBEA Welcomes Joe McClary as New Executive Director

NBEA extends a warm welcome to NBEA’s new executive director Joe McClary, hired to replace Dr. Janet M. Treichel who retired effective October 31, 2019, after a 30-year tenure with the organization.

NBEA President Colleen Webb announced the hire November 1, 2019.

Career highlights. McClary joins NBEA after having served as CEO of the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), where he played a leading role in developing the ANSI/IACET 2018-1 Standard for Continuing Education and Training for business and industry. The nine-category standard, which marries the five core phases of instructional design with four aspects of educational programming administration and implementation, serves as a model for the development of quality, competency-based education and training programs in business and industry. Prior to working at IACET, as CEO of the Kentucky Association of Realtors, McClary was involved in writing and passing legislation that expanded and improved mandatory continuing education requirements for the state’s real estate licensees. His career also includes serving as the first executive director of the International Distance Education Certification Center (IDECC), which promotes and certifies professional education obtained through distance learning and which was established to extend the scope of the Association of Real Estate Law Officials’ involvement in distance education.

McClary has earned certifications in association management and in learning and performance from the American Society of Association Executives and the Association for Talent Development respectively. He has also worked as an adjunct college instructor, high school teacher, and adult educator and has taught internationally.

Looking ahead. “I am thrilled to be able to work with Mr. McClary,” said NBEA President Colleen Webb, “and together along with the Executive Committee/Board we will all help NBEA rise to new heights.”

Below, a peek into McClary’s professional passion and NBEA’s next decade.

Q: When did you become interested in learning as a profession, and what triggered that interest?

JM: I became passionate about teaching and learning when I was about 16 years old. I was fortunate to teach underprivileged youth on a South Dakota Indian reservation. One of the youth I helped told me after one of my lessons what it difference it had made in his life. From that point on, I wanted to dedicate my professional energy to continue helping education-related organizations.

Q: What attracted you to this NBEA specifically?

JM:  NBEA has a tremendous history and future in business education. The role of business educators has never been more important, and I welcome the opportunity to be involved with such an influential and relevant organization. My focus will be on fulfilling the Board’s strategic plan, which includes improving member services and making NBEA more essential and relevant to its members than ever before.

Q: Can you tell us what specific vision or projects you’ll be focusing on as you take the helm?

JM:The Board has given me excellent direction so these are my immediate priorities: Streamlining association processes for the 21st century. This means a new website with a member portal and online journal repository.  Improving transparency on the association’s bylaws, policies, procedures, and processes. Improving our communications plan and focusing heavily on member return on investment (ROI). NBEA has had a long and distinguished history over the past century. I look forward to ensuring NBEA thrives and lasts another hundred years.