PIDA Introduces New President

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The Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA) announced it has selected Celeste Powers, CAE, as its new president. She will begin her tenure as the association’s chief staff executive on November 5, 2018. Powers will succeed Steve King, who departs PIDA in early January to assume the role of CEO of the American Pet Products Association (APPA).

Powers has been in non-profit association management for 27 years, with nearly 20 years in executive director roles. Most recently, she served as the executive director of Beacon, Networking for Life, a professional networking association of business leaders in the mid-Atlantic region. Prior to Beacon, Powers served for 12 years as executive director of the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association based in Alexandria, Virginia. She started her career working for two association management companies and was chief staff executive of three distributor associations.

“I am thrilled to be joining this fabulous organization and to work in an industry that I am passionate about,” Powers said. “I am committed to continuing to lead PIDA forward with a strong focus on this progressive organization’s mission.

“From my experience, I understand the importance of wholesaler-distributors in the supply chain and will continue to promote the value of strong partnerships with suppliers and customers,” she continued. “I am also dedicated to continuing PIDA’s active engagement with industry partners such as APPA, PIJAC and WPA, as well as the Pet Care Trust, the Pet Leadership Council and HABRI.”

Powers grew up in the Philadelphia area and then spent seven years in Baltimore and 15 years in northern Virginia. In 2015, she returned to her hometown and currently resides in Wayne, Pennsylvania. She is a volunteer board member for the Women’s Resource Center, whose mission is to help women and girls successfully navigate life’s transitions and inspire others to do the same. Powerrse is an active member of the American Society of Association Executives and was awarded ASAE’s Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation in 1999. She is a graduate of Gettysburg College where she earned a BA in political science.

“I have known Celeste professionally for more than 25 years,” King said. “She is an energetic and talented leader and team builder with an enthusiastic approach to association management. PIDA will be in good hands under her leadership.”

“I certainly have big shoes to fill in following Steve King who has done a tremendous job for PIDA for nearly three decades,” Powers said. “I look forward to working closely with Steve to ensure a seamless transition, and as a valued partner in his new role as CEO of APPA.”