Articles

PA Veterinary Medical Association Appoints Christian Malesic Executive Director

CityBizList, Philadelphia

by Staff

Christian D. Malesic, MBA, CAE, IOM has been hired as the new Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association (PMVA). The search committee was seeking a visionary, an educator, a financial craftsman, a manager, a professional, and a leader of the most ethical and highest moral character to shepherd the organization into the next decade and beyond.

The Board of Trustees performed a lengthy and thorough search process, according to Dr. Kate J. Harnish, DVM, Chair of the Search Committee and current President-Elect of PVMA. Harnish explained, "The nationwide search began in late August and ended just after the 2018 holiday season. Over 300 applications were received and narrowed down by job expectations and experience." The Board chose Malesic due to his education and experience, "Christian's understanding of PVMA's strategic plan was demonstrated from the beginning. Christian did his research about the current issues in veterinary medicine and was well prepared for the challenging and intellectually stimulating interview questions," added Harnish.

Malesic is from Harrisburg. After 16 years as the President/CEO of CM Squared, Inc. he became Executive Officer at the Home Builders Association of Berks County (HBA). While there, Malesic was recognized as the best CEO in the nation in 2013 by the National Association of Home Builders.
Christian D. Malesic, MBA, CAE, IOM

"To be recognized by my peers as the best in the country was quite a humbling experience," recalls Malesic. "It brought an overwhelming feeling of quiet reflection and gratitude to the Board who had nominated me."

Additionally, the HBA was awarded four other Best-in-Nation awards and numerous PA state awards with Malesic at the helm.

Malesic's experience includes 16 years as the president/CEO of CM Squared, Inc. He later became executive officer at the Home Builders Association of Berks County (HBA), and was recognized as the best CEO in the nation in 2013 by the National Association of Home Builders. Additionally, the HBA was awarded four other Best-in-Nation awards and numerous PA state awards with Malesic at the helm.

From Reading, Malesic moved south to make some much-needed changes as the President of the Melbourne Regional Chamber in Melbourne, FL.

"I was intrigued to learn that a 90 plus-year-old Chamber needed a turn-around artist," mused Malesic.

The Chamber had just posted its 8th annual loss in a row, draining all the reserve funds saved over the previous decades. Moreover, the Board was looking to freshen up a stale, tired marketing image and outdated Tourism Information Center. Within a year, Malesic had the building refinanced, reserves back in the bank, and the marketing program had a whole new look. Six months later, the Tourism Information Center was completely remodeled to match the marketing plus the budget was balanced. Under his expertise, event attendance sky-rocketed to an all-time high with over six months of sold-out Business Breakfasts and an annual Valor Awards ceremony, celebrating military, fire, and police, so big that the largest venue in town couldn't contain it.

Malesic earned his Master of Business Administration with distinguished honors from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and three Bachelor Degrees in Electrical Engineering and Government (Political Science) from Lehigh University in and Business Administration with a Concentration in Marketing from Elizabethtown College. Malesic is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) and is a graduate of the prestigious Institute for Organizational Management (IOM), the most highly-respected program nationwide for Association management.

Christian D. Malesic, MBA, CAE, IOM lives in Harrisburg, PA with Hera (a rescue Great Dane), Dionysus (a Siamese), Atlas (a grey tabby), and Perseus (an orange tabby) plus four humans: his wife of 20 years, Valerie, and children Sarah, Skylar, and Damon.

About the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA

Founded in 1883, PVMA is PA's only professional membership organization for the veterinary profession representing 3,400 veterinarians, certified veterinary technicians, assistants, practice managers, and other support staff. To learn more visit PaVMA.org.