07/24/01 American Dietetic Association names Ronald S. Moen Chief Executive Officer

American Dietetic Association names Ronald S. Moen Chief Executive Officer

July 24, 2001

Media contact: Doris Acosta
800/ 877-1600, ext. 4822

CHICAGO - Ronald S. Moen, an experienced nonprofit association executive for more than 25 years, has been named Chief Executive Officer of the American Dietetic Association.

Moen, executive director of the American Association of Orthodontists since 1990, will join the Chicago-based ADA, the nation's largest association of food and nutrition professionals, on December 1. He will manage the Association's headquarters operations in Chicago and in Washington, D.C., and will provide leadership for ADA's nearly 70,000 members, directing the Association's extensive national and international initiatives in public policy, consumer affairs and research.

"Ron Moen possesses just the right combination of training and experience in health care and association leadership to take the helm of the American Dietetic Association," said ADA President Susan T. Borra, a Washington, D.C., registered dietitian.

"Ron is an award-winning nonprofit association executive. He is thoroughly prepared and qualified to lead ADA staff and members as we help the nation address such crucial health-care issues as obesity, biotechnology and genetics. Ron will be instrumental in guiding ADA toward accomplishing our mission -- to promote optimal nutrition and well-being for all people."

Moen received the 2001 Samuel B. Shapiro Award for Chief Executive Officer Achievement, the highest honor bestowed by the Association Forum. In 2000, Moen became only the third non-orthodontist to receive the James E. Brophy Distinguished Service Award, AAO's highest honor.

"I'm looking forward to helping the American Dietetic Association build on its successes and its potential," Moen said. "ADA and its members are committed to helping all Americans achieve good health and better lives. I can't think of a worthier goal, and I'm very happy to be able to play a part in making that goal a reality."

At AAO, Moen specialized in increasing member benefits and services, including advances in meetings and exhibitions, technology, government relations and communications. While serving as executive director, he was secretary-treasurer of AAO's foundation and CEO of its for-profit subsidiary.

Moen also was treasurer of AAO's political action committee and president of its member-owned insurance company. For five years, Moen was secretary general of the World Federation of Orthodontics.

Moen is an active volunteer with the American Society of Association Executives, serving on numerous committees as well as on the Board of Directors in 1989-90 and 1993-1996, and as vice president in 1997-1998. He also served on ASAE's Foundation Board of Directors in 1998-1999. Moen was the 1988-89 president of the Chicago-based Association Forum.

Prior to joining AAO, Moen helped create and spent 11 years as executive director of the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, in Skokie, Ill. Previously, he held positions at the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, in Chicago, including director of the accreditation program for ambulatory health care and associate program director for special projects.

Earlier, Moen was executive director of the Heart of Texas and Bell County, Texas, mental health and mental retardation centers. He has worked in private practice as a psychologist in North Dakota and as staff psychologist for the Blue Island, Ill., community high school district.

Moen received his bachelor's degree from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn., and a master's degree from Purdue University.