📢 Call to Annual Meeting and 26-27 Board Slate

Call to Annual Meeting

MSAE’s Annual Business Meeting will be held during MSAE 2026 at 12:20 p.m. on Thursday, December 3, 2026, in the Ambassador Ballroom at the Amway Grand Plaza, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. We hope you will join us! Agenda items include the announcement of the election of new directors to the board and the annual report.

2026–27 Board Slate

MSAE's Board of Directors is pleased to present the slate proposed by the Leadership Identification Committee, chaired by Jean Jernigan, CAE, CMP, IOM. The slate includes four at-large seats with three-year terms and two representative seats with two-year terms.

At-Large Candidates — Three-Year Terms

• Arah Johnson is Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Crystal Mountain. A longtime MSAE member currently serving as treasurer, Arah has served on many MSAE committees and brings board experience from a decade on the Frankfort-Elberta Area School Board. She is seeking a second term. 

• Mary Chris Hotchkiss, CMP is Group Sales Director at the Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau. Also a long-time member, Mary Chris' work and interests include meeting planning, membership, sales, and technology. She is seeking a second term. 

• Jill Sokacz, CAE is President and CEO of the Michigan Trucking Association, where she leads an organization serving Michigan’s trucking industry. A certified association executive, Jill has served on MSAE's Leadership Identification Committee. 

• Greg Sieszputowski, CAE, MEd is Director of Leadership Development and Executive Search Services at the Michigan Association of School Boards. His experience includes education, organizational development, coaching, and leadership development. Greg has served on MSAE annual conference planning committee and his MSAE 2026 Conference Chair. 

Representative Candidates — Two-Year Terms

• Sam Klemet is Vice President of Operations at Catalyst Association Management. His association experience includes leadership roles with the Michigan Association of Broadcasters and the Detroit Auto Dealers Association. He is seeking a second Board term and his first term as the AMC representative. 

• Pete Zimek, CAE is founder and CEO of Novi AMS. A former association executive and ardent proponent of MSAE's CAE preparation programs, Pete brings experience in association technology and software.