Tuesday, April 2, 2013
DALLAS, Texas, April 2, 2013 – Dallas-based National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) announces that it has named a new executive director. David Saddler, who has served as interim executive director after the recent retirement of long-time Executive Director Eve Becker-Doyle, CAE, assumes the role effective immediately.
Saddler has been a senior executive on the staff of NATA for three years. Previously he served as associate executive director, programs and services, where he oversaw departments and activities internal to NATA.
“I am honored to be selected by the NATA executive director search committee to serve this great association and profession. My time at NATA has been very rewarding,” said Saddler. “My approach is not to think about replacing Eve Becker-Doyle, who in her time as the CEO meant so much to NATA and the profession. What I will do is to make sure we honor those contributions and plan to build upon those and seek to leverage opportunities and solve challenges.”
Saddler is an association management veteran with more than 20 years of experience. He has served in executive leadership positions for organizations serving the transportation and electronic security industries. He has managed all facets of associations, from finance to public affairs.
“With Dave at the helm, NATA is extremely well-positioned for the future,” says NATA president Jim Thornton, MA, ATC, CES. “We are delighted that he will continue to lead us forward with a collective commitment to engaging our membership and ensuring great leadership at many levels, from the NATA board and committees, to the district and state leadership, and lastly, from a very talented and motivated staff.”
Saddler earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from La Salle University in Philadelphia. He is currently pursuing the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation. Saddler resides in Frisco, Texas with his wife Claudia and teenage sons Brandon and Kyle.
About NATA: National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) – Health Care for Life & Sport
Athletic trainers are health care professionals who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and sport-related illnesses. They prevent and treat chronic musculoskeletal injuries from sports, physical and occupational activity, and provide immediate care for acute injuries. Athletic trainers offer a continuum of care that is unparalleled in health care. The National Athletic Trainers' Association represents and supports 35,000 members of the athletic training profession.
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