March 27, 2025
Following a competitive national search process, I am pleased to announce the selection of James Pavletich, MHA, CAE, as the new CAATE executive director. James officially joined the CAATE on March 24 at our D.C. headquarters.
James is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) and has had a robust career in strategic management and association leadership, with a focus on member and stakeholder engagement, certification, and accreditation. He was most recently the President of J. Pavletich Consulting, where he provided strategic and operational management consulting. Previously, he served at Veritas Association Management, generating over $3 million in annual revenue as Executive Director at the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists. His tenure at Veritas was marked by significant achievements, including the development of virtual education conferences during the COVID-19 era and the implementation of SCA University, an online learning management system.
Prior to Veritas, James was the CEO of the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, where he restructured the organization to enhance revenue and expand its reach. He has also held leadership roles at American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS), Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), consistently driving growth, creating and supporting inclusive cultures and improving stakeholder engagement. His career is characterized by a commitment to cohesive teams, technology improvements, and fostering strong board and partner relations.
On behalf of the Board of Commissioners, we are pleased to have James join our organization as our executive director. James was selected based on his extensive experience in strategic management, governance, healthcare association and accreditation leadership. His proven track record in guiding strategy and leading organizations to growth will be a tremendous asset to our organization. We are excited to welcome James to our team and look forward to his contributions in advancing our mission.
“I am thrilled to join the CAATE team and to support the Board of Commissioners’ goals and objectives. I’m honored to serve the CAATE’s mission, and I look forward to building strong relationships with the Board of Commissioners, volunteer leaders, staff and stakeholders.” James Pavletich, MHA, CAE
I’d like to thank the members of the CAATE Search Committee who worked diligently to oversee the process and vet candidates:
- Toni Torres-McGehee, Ph.D., LAT, ATC, FACSM
- Kysha Harriell, Ph.D., LAT, ATC
- Eric Lippincott, Ph.D., PT, LAT, ATC
- Darla Spence Coffey, Ph.D., MSW
- Carlitta M. Moore, Ed.D., LAT, ATC
- Jeri Zemke, Ph.D., LAT, ATC
Please join me in welcoming James to the CAATE and the athletic training profession.
Sincerely,
Toni Torres-McGehee, Ph.D., LAT, ATC, FACSM
CAATE President