AREMA Staff

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Elizabeth Caruso, IOM, CAE

Executive Director/CEO

Beth joined AREMA in May 1999 and in September 2015 was appointed as AREMA's Executive Director and CEO. Beth works closely with AREMA’s Leadership, Members and Supporters and manages AREMA's Operations at Headquarters. Prior to her appointment to Executive Director and CEO she served as AREMA's Director of Administration and played a key staff leadership role, having served as Deputy Executive Director. She has supported the Board of Governors, Functional Group Board of Directors and Standing Committees throughout her career at AREMA. Beth has a BA degree in English with a concentration in Media Communications from High Point University in North Carolina. She is a member of the League of Railway Women (LRW), the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA), and the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). Beth earned her Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation in 2009. In 2019, Beth was awarded the IOM graduate recognition for completing a comprehensive course of study in nonprofit management through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Institute for Organizations Management program. In November 2019, she received the "2019 Women in Rail Award" which recognizes vision, ability and leadership.

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Stacy Spaulding, CAE

Senior Director, Executive and Board Operations

Stacy joined AREMA in July 1999. She was promoted to Senior Director, Executive and Board Operations in November 2015, responsible for the coordination of association Executive office and administration functions as well as support to the Executive Office. She was previously Director of Committees and Technical Services, responsible for coordinating and supporting the work of all AREMA Committees and the pre-publication aspects of all AREMA Manuals and other publications. Stacy graduated with honors from Frostburg State University with a BA in Psychology. Stacy brings considerable association and membership management experience to AREMA. She has been a member the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) since 1997 and earned her Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation in 2007. Stacy is also a member of the League of Railway Women (LRW).

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Vickie Fisher, CAE

Chief Operating Officer

Vickie Fisher, Chief Operating Officer is an accomplished finance and human resource professional with extensive experience in the public and private sector. Having been a member of the AREMA management team since 2001, she provides support to the Executive Director/CEO and is responsible for financial, human resource, and exposition oversight. Prior to joining AREMA, Vickie worked within the legal profession at several DC area law firms. She has a B.S. degree in Business Accounting, Certified Association Executive designation (CAE) and a Notary Public in and for the State of Maryland. She is an active member of the League of Railway Women (LRW), American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM).

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Janice L. Clements

Director, Database Management Systems

Janice joined AREMA in January 2000. She has over twenty-five years of experience managing database information systems and membership services. She became Director, Database Management Systems in April 2021 and is responsible for the use and operation of the association management software, related integrations, reporting needs, and other duties that require database support. She previously served as Director of Membership and Information systems and managed the delivery of membership benefits and the administration of the AREMA database. Janice graduated with honors from Bowie State University and has a BS degree in Business Management. She is a member of NiUG International and the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the League of Railway Women (LRW).

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Lindsay McNicholas, MBA, CEM

Director, Marketing and Communications

Lindsay joined AREMA in early January 2014 as Manager of Marketing & Communications. Lindsay is responsible for designing, coordinating, and implementing all integrated marketing and communications campaigns and interacting with all departments to ensure the reflection of AREMA is represented appropriately. Lindsay has BS and MBA degrees in Marketing from York College of Pennsylvania. Lindsay brings several years of marketing and customer service experience to AREMA. In April of 2015, she was promoted to Director, Marketing & Communications. She is a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the League of Railway Women (LRW).

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Skip Gmeiner

Director, Information Technology

Skip joined AREMA in April 2016 as Director, Information Technology Services. He is responsible for the overall planning, organizing and execution of all AREMA IT functions. This includes directing the association’s IT operations to meet staff and customer requirements, as well as the strategy for its information technology infrastructure, including hardware, software, cabling, website, telephone services, and networks. Skip has more than 20 years of experience in IT Operations for Associations, Government Agencies and most recently as an IT Consultant for various companies in the Washington, DC Metro Area. He has a BA degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and has been certified in multiple Microsoft Operating Systems and Server Applications. He is a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).

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Lin Guba, CMM, CMP

Director, Education and Events

Lin serves as the Director, Education and Events for AREMA where she handles the logistics and planning strategies for all educational opportunities. Lin is responsible for hands-on management which includes development, planning, and implementation of AREMA’s Annual Conference and Expo, Webinars, Seminars, Leadership Meetings, and Symposiums. Lin works with all stakeholders to explore, recommend, and develop new educational opportunities. She has considerable experience handling strategic meetings management/event facilitation by working at various associations and meeting planning consulting firms over the course of her career. Lin holds a BS degree from Purdue University in Management/Marketing. She has earned her Certificate in Meetings Management (CMM) and is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP). She is a member of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), Senior Planner Industry Network (SPIN), American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and the League of Railway Women (LRW).

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Brandi Teel

Director, Membership

Brandi serves as Director, Membership. She oversees the development, planning and management of AREMA’s membership initiatives, including the application process and membership recruitment/retention efforts. Her responsibilities touch each department as she ensures engagement and that member needs are met. She has a BA degree from Hampton University and a Master of Business Administration – Management. She has previous association experience, having served in various roles/departments. She is a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the League of Railway Women (LRW).

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Christy Thomas, CEM

Associate Director, Sponsorship and Exhibit Sales

Christy serves as the Associate Director, Sponsorship and Exhibit Sales. Christy manages the AREMA Expo and Sponsorship Program, including marketing, sales and logistics. She’s held a variety of positions at AREMA, most recently handling Membership recruitment and retention initiatives. Among her significant previous career positions, Christy worked with a major exhibition service contractor where she served in the services and operations division. Christy holds a BS degree from Salisbury University in Business Management and a Certified Exhibit Management designation (CEM) from International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE). She is an active member of IAEE, American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), and the League of Railway Women (LRW).

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Morgan Bruins, DES

Associate Director, Education and Services

Morgan joined AREMA in July 2015. She works within the Education and Meeting Department on various projects, including the Annual Conference, Symposium and Seminar/Webinar Programs. Additionally, Morgan manages the Corporate Publication License Agreements and publication sales. She has a BS degree from Liberty University. She is a member of the Professional Convention Meeting Association (PCMA), the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the League of Railway Women (LRW).

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Alayne Bell

Associate Director, Committees and Technical Services

Alayne joined AREMA in February 2016. She brings over 10 years of association experience to AREMA, including substantial committee and publications support. She is responsible for coordinating the work of all AREMA Committees and the pre-publication aspects of all AREMA Manuals and other publications. In addition, she supports the AREMA Student Chapters and the Educational Foundation Scholarship Program. She has a BA degree in Literature from American University. She is a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the League of Railway Women (LRW).

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Heather Foster

Manager, Administration & Publication Services

Heather serves as Manager, Administration & Publication Services. She provides administrative support for the various departments and manages corporate publication agreements and publication sales fulfillment. She has a BA degree in English from the University of Maryland Global Campus. She has served in various customer services roles throughout her career. She is a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the League of Railway Women (LRW).