The IRA Board of Directors has appointed IRA Past President Carrice Cummins to serve as Vice President for the remainder of the year, filling in for IRA Vice President Maryann Manning who died suddenly last September. Cummins’ tenure in this interim role will conclude on the last day of the IRA New Orleans Conference, May 12, 2014, when current IRA President Maureen McLaughlin hands over the gavel to IRA President Elect Jill Lewis.

Cummins’ appointment will not affect the current election cycle, which is due to commence later this month. Voting members of IRA will elect next year’s Vice President, who will take office on the last day of the New Orleans Conference, May 12, 2014, along with the other newly elected members of the Board. The Board will postpone, until a future time, any decision on filling the vacancy that will arise when Cummins’ interim appointment is concluded.

Maryann Manning’s sudden and untimely death was a shock to all of her colleagues on the IRA Board. In selecting Carrice Cummins to serve out the year in her stead, the Board secures the participation and services of someone uniquely situated to join in the Board’s ongoing deliberations. Carrice began her presidential term around the same time that Marcie Craig Post, IRA’s Executive Director, took office. Many of the critical strategic initiatives which the Association is currently immersed in were commenced during Carrice’s presidency, making her selection for the pro tem role a logical choice.

Now at full strength, the IRA Board, in tandem with the Executive Director and staff, continues to address strategic priorities while the important day-to-day work, including planning an outstanding conference for New Orleans, proceeds apace.