Ken Hutton named ISA Interim Executive Vice President

Hutton steps in from managing director of ISA.

ISA President Michael Carr announced today that Kenneth R. Hutton, former Managing Director of the Industrial Supply Association (ISA), has agreed to serve as interim Executive Vice President while ISA initiates a search for candidates to replace long-time ISA executive John Buckley, who passed away in February. Hutton assumed the interim role effective March 3, 2014.

“We have a great history with Ken and we’re very excited that he is available to help us through our transition to a new executive,” Carr said. “Ken is a very experienced professional and he is a perfect fit because of his work with ISA in the past. Together with our volunteer leaders, current staff and our management company partners at Fernley & Fernley, the officers and board members are confident the organization is in good hands. We look forward to a successful 2014 convention and to finding the right candidate to succeed our friend and colleague, John Buckley.”

In the interim capacity, Hutton will lead, direct, manage or support all functions of the association. He will serve as primary executive support and liaison to ISA Officers, and Board of Directors; represent ISA in external relations, including key industry coalitions and media; and assist in the search for ISA’s new Executive Vice President, among other duties.

Hutton brings 43 years of diverse industry experience to the interim position, having managed associations for over 25 years. He served 19 years as Executive Vice President for the Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America (WMMA) in addition to his prior role with ISA. Hutton was also a past Executive Director for the Association Management Company Institute (AMCI).

A graduate of Syracuse University with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Hutton also holds an M.B.A. from The Darden School at the University of Virginia. Hutton and his wife, Jeanne, have two adult daughters and three grandchildren. The couple resides in Kennett Square, Pa., where Hutton sits on a variety of boards for various community and church groups.

Learn more at www.isapartners.org

All at BSW Consulting offer their condolences to ISA and John Buckley's family.

It is with great sadness that the Industrial Supply Association announces the sudden death of John Buckley at the age of 66 on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 of an apparent heart attack. John served as Executive Vice President of ISA since July 2004. Known for his energy, passion, knowledge of the industry and team building skill, John will be sorely missed.

John began his long and illustrious career in the wholesale distribution industry 30 years ago. Starting out in the member services side of the association management business, he held a variety of positions working on retention and recruitment through research and economic reporting. He spent 25 years with the National Paper Trade Association and was one of the founders of the Paper and Plastics Education Research Foundation. He also published the award winning association magazine, Sales & Marketing News.

John served on the Board of Directors of NAW, the Distribution Research and Education Foundation and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100. For 20 years, John represented the U.S. at EUROPA and the Common Market Congress of the Paper Industry. He was an advisor to four startup companies in the real estate development, technology and digital advertising areas.

John was ISA's chief staff executive and he also served on the ISA Education Foundation Board of Trustees and the Advisory Board for the Industrial Careers Pathways.

John is survived by his wife of 42 years, Barbara Curley Buckley, and his most beloved daughter Alana. He will be missed by his brothers, Michael and Richard, and their wives Ellen and Elaine. He was devoted to his nieces, Sharon and Mariah Hughes, Lauren Solomon, Sarabeth, Emily and Julia Buckley and his nephew, Christopher Hughes.

To leave a message for the family please go to http://johnbuckleycommemoration.wordpress.com.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Manhasset Women's Coalition Against Breast Cancer, P.O. Box 1007, Manhasset, NY 11030. Please specify that your gift should be used for the Coalition's Outreach Program in John’s name.

Despite the grief over this sudden loss, ISA headquarters will provide continuity of operations with the support of the ISA Officers, Board and its team members, Joe Casey, Gary Cheeseman, Melissa Jidenma, and Mary Ritchie.