Executive director tabbed

Jan. 16, 2008
American Academy of Implant Dentistry selects Sharon Bennett to position.

CHICAGO--The American Academy of Implant Dentistry has announced that Sharon Bennett has become the organization's executive director, effective Jan. 1.

Bennett succeeds J. Vincent Shuck, who retired after 15 years at the AAID helm. Bennett comes to AAID with more than 25 years of experience and a strong background in serving dental and medical associations, professional societies and foundations.

As an independent consultant and executive with leading national association management firms, she has worked with the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, Academy of General Dentistry, American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Among Bennett's noteworthy achievements for these and other associations are the successful development and implementation of membership recruitment programs, organizational restructuring initiatives, leadership training and strategic planning.

"On behalf of the AAID Board of Directors, I welcome Sharon Bennett into AAID and look forward working with her on strategies and programs to further promote the field of implant dentistry and provide top-quality educational opportunities for our membership," said AAID President Jaime Lozada, DDS. "Sharon is a proven leader and highly regarded in the association community. We are fortunate she chose to continue her association management career at AAID."

Lozada praised J. Vincent Shuck's achievements as AAID's executive director, noting that under his leadership the Academy successfully argued in federal court that educating the public about recognized implant experience validated by a legitimate credentialing organization is vital to the public interest.

Also, attendance at the AAID annual meeting increased steadily under Shuck's direction. The 2007 AAID Annual Conference had record attendance of more than 2000.

For more information, go to American Academy of Implant Dentistry.