Each member of our team brings experiences from a variety of personal and professional backgrounds, education and training. Collectively, we’ve acquired and developed skills and interests across a broad spectrum. We know what it takes to help organizations.
Mary Ann Emely
President and Co-Founder
Until December 2018, Mary Ann served as Chief Operating Officer at the American Council of Engineering Companies in Washington, DC, with direct responsibility for operations of the $15 million budget national trade association. Since January 2019, in addition to providing ad hoc services to associations and other nonprofit organizations, she has served as interim executive director to small associations in transition.
She held ASAE’s CAE (Certified Association Executive) designation continuously between 1989 and 2019.
Among other CAC contracts handled by Mary Ann, served as the executive director of an association representing government IT professionals, growing the organization from a $250,000 budget to a $1 million budget in 5 years, and providing educational program support to an association of economists. She has expertise in organizational management, the generation of dues and non-dues revenue, and membership support services.
A graduate of the University of Connecticut, Mary Ann has also been an active university alum, serving on the national and chapter boards and committees, and as local chapter president. She has held ASAE’s Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation since 1989.
Charles H. Emely, PhD, CAE
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder
From 1998 to 2014, Chuck has served as CEO of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA), an assignment he initially accepted through CAC as a CAC consultant serving as that association’s first non-engineer professional association manager, in one year turning its financial position from that of a negative $500,000 to a net profit of $500,000.
Through CAC, Chuck has also served as the executive director and consultant to numerous small national and regional associations. His expertise is in restructuring, financial turnarounds, financial management, and strategic planning. He has experience in the development of funding proposals and grant requests.
Chuck completed his undergraduate studies at Temple University and earned his Master’s and PhD degrees from Fairfield University and California Coast University. He holds ASAE’s CAE designation, and is also a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP).
Charles W. Emely, II
Vice President, Technology
Chip has more than twenty-seven years’ experience providing IT support to associations and other organizations. His experience is in hardware and software configuration and support, network integration, website development and management, technology training, and commercial photography and includes complex event registration solutions, particularly in iMIS.
Chip was educated at Hartwick College and Johns Hopkins University and has taken extensive training in all areas of technology.
Wendy Ott
Vice President, Finance, Communications and Client Services
Wendy provides support for and coordinates all media updates and communications. This includes managing public affairs, social media updates, newsletters, and web content updates. In her client service role, Wendy is responsible for member communications as well as special events and conferences. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut, and also holds advanced degrees in Accounting and Business Administration, as well as business and finance related certifications. She has specialized knowledge and experience in the following industries: Horticulture, Equine and Agriculture, At-Risk Youth and Family Services, Investing and Finance.
Mandie R. Emely
Vice President, Education Programs
Through CAC, Mandie supports educational programming, working with presenters and members to organize sessions, including the call for papers, finalization of PowerPoint presentations and the production on on-site materials. She also supports special events and conferences. Mandie graduated from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland and has specialized training in the technology area.
CAC outsources to a variety of providers in the following areas: Lobbying, Legal and Accounting/Auditing.