Richard Yep, CAE, FASAE, Named SWANA Interim ED

Acclaimed association leader, Richard Yep, CAE, FASAE, has been named Interim Executive Director of the Solid Waste Association of North America effective April 6, 2023.

“On behalf of the SWANA Board of Directors, I’m pleased to announce Richard as SWANA’s Interim ED,” said Tim Flanagan, SWANA President, and Project Director, SCS Engineers. “With more than 30 years as an association CEO, and as a leader in the association community, Richard is an exceptional choice to serve as SWANA’s Interim ED. I look forward to working with him to achieve SWANA’s strategic plan goals.”

Most recently, Yep founded Ocean Vista Advisors, LLC, where he increases organizational performance and develops collaborations by providing training and advice on communication, leadership, and strategic insight. He does this by leveraging the strengths of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Before founding Ocean Vista, Yep spent 30 years as the CEO of the American Counseling Association, the world’s largest association for counselors with more than 60,000 members, a budget of $15M and a staff of 60.

Under his leadership, he transformed ACA into a profitable, industry-leading association with strong board-staff partnerships. Yep led a financial and organizational turnaround reversing financial losses through cost-cutting and product/service enhancements, improving member retention, and rebuilding the brand.

“Using SWANA’s new strategic plan as a guide, I look forward to collaborating with our staff and leaders to achieve the plan’s goals and continue to support the incredible work our members do each and every day on behalf of their communities,” said Yep.

His volunteer activities include a wide range of key leadership positions with the American Society of Association Executives; member of the United Nations, Global Non-Governmental Organizations Executive Committee; a committee member with the Human Rights Campaign; an advisory council member of Digital Now Advisory Group; and a Board of Trustees member of Excelsior University (Albany, NY).

SWANA retained the services of executive recruitment firm Vetted Solutions. Yep is a client partner at Vetted Solutions.