NAMA President and CEO Carla Balakgie to retire at end of year

Carla Balakgie, FASAE, CAE, will retire as president and CEO of the National Automatic Merchandising Association — and full-time association management — by the end of 2025.

“Carla Balakgie has fundamentally changed NAMA for the better over the past 14 years,” said NAMA Chair Tom Steuber in a release. “By transforming NAMA into a leading national trade association, the influence, visibility and impact of industry advocacy increased enormously, the financial position of the association dramatically improved, and the engagement and participation in association offerings grew and diversified significantly, expanding the size and makeup of industry members. Carla has set the table for the next CEO to build on a strong, dynamic organization with a proven track record of success.”

A search committee led by NAMA Chair-Elect Patrick Moran, and operator-owner of Moran Refreshments, will identify candidates and assist the NAMA board of directors with selecting the next president and CEO of this $10M organization. Balakgie will remain onboard through the search and onboarding process to ensure a smooth transition.

Balakgie, a Fellow of the American Society of Association Executives and the first woman to lead NAMA in its 90-year history, directed the association through a unique period of growth and evolution. During her tenure, NAMA helped drive the rise of micro markets, now the fastest growing aspect of the convenience services industry, the association noted, along with the expansion and integration of coffee, tea, water and pantry services in fueling the industry’s $26.6B annual revenues. She is credited with transforming the association’s government and external relations program, including relocation of the NAMA headquarters from Chicago to Washington, DC in 2020.

"Serving the great companies and individuals of the convenience services industry during this important period has been the most fulfilling experience of my career," said Balakgie in a release. “NAMA’s future, and the outstanding industry it represents, is full of opportunity and promise. I’m honored to have played a part in its long history of success and am excited for its future.”