The board of directors at INDA elevated Tony Fragnito from the chief operating officer (COO) of INDA to president, effective from May 31.  Fragnito will assume the position currently held by Dave Rousse, who will become president Emeritus and provide support and assistance to Fragnito as needed until Rousse fully retires in January 2023.

Fragnito joined INDA November 29, 2021 as chief operating officer and has been leading INDA’s implementation of its new strategic plan, as well as updating INDA’s technology platform.  This follows decades of leadership experience assisting trade and professional organisations in realising their organisational and operational potential.  A certified public accountant, Fragnito brings strong financial acumen in addition to extensive information technology, human resource and programme management accomplishments from organisations representing a variety of professions and industries, INDA said in a press release.

“Promoting Fragnito to president of INDA completes the transition plan put in place by the INDA board in 2021 to provide continuity through Rousse’s impending retirement in the development and implementation of the new strategic plan,” said Bryan Haynes, Ph.D., INDA board chair and R&E technical director at Kimberly-Clark. “Rousse has led INDA since 2012 and developed a successful, professional organisation that now needs to be taken to a new level through the new strategic plan.”

“It is an honour to be chosen to lead INDA during this important time for the industry,” said Fragnito. “The INDA board and membership, led by Rousse, have demonstrated the industry’s growth potential and innovation possible through strong collaboration. It is my goal to continue this collaborative model, expand the industry by reaching new markets, and improve the systems, resources and technical content available to INDA staff and industry participants.”

“The INDA board has worked through a thoughtful and smooth transition plan, leveraging the new operational talents Fragnito brings to the organisation alongside the industry contacts and issue management experience I have developed over the last ten years,” said Rousse. “I look forward to continuing to contribute as needed to Fragnito’s leadership of INDA.”