AAW Executive Director Announcement

Larry Sommer has joined the AAW staff as Executive Director, a new position. Sommer, who has 25-plus years with nonprofit organizations, started work August 21 in the AAW offices in St. Paul.

Also as part of the office reorganization, Mary Lacer has been promoted to assistant Executive Director. Since joining the AAW in 1990, Mary has overseen the growth of the AAW from a kitchen-table organization to a staff, in addition to herself, of six part-time employees.

Most recently, Larry served as director and state historic preservation officer at the Nebraska State Historical Society in Lincoln. In addition, he has been involved with numerous organizations as a director and has worked for and on the Board of Directors. He has extensive experience planning, coordinating, and implementing exhibitions, conferences, and workshops.

Larry attended the AAW’s recent symposium in Louisville, where he was impressed with the size and content of the event. There, he experienced the membership’s passion for turning firsthand.

Larry said, “I am honored to be chosen as the first Executive Director of the American Association of Woodturners and look forward o working with the Board of Directors and the superb staff, getting to know the membership, and helping to build on the Association’s solid record of accomplishment as one of the premier crafts organizations in the country.”

Away from the office, Larry enjoys woodworking and a variety of outdoor activities. As Minnesota natives, he and his wife have been looking forward to returning to their home state.

As the AAW grew in 20 years from a small group of woodturners to one of the world’s largest crafts organizations, the need for an Executive Director became apparent. Several strategic planning sessions with outside consultants pointed to the necessity of adding this role. This spring, 14 individuals applied for the nationally advertised position.

AAW President Angelo Iafrate added, “We expect great things to come from the new position of Executive Director. Larry, with Mary as an Assistant, will be charged with some of the tasks that our Board members have had to perform in the past. With these two new positions, there will be continuity and a stabilizing effect on the quality of our Symposiums and other programs. And, yes, we plan on improvements and some new initiatives. As Board members come and go, the helm will now be attended by those of even temperament and great skill, which will bring considerable benefit to our organization.”

Please welcome Larry to the AAW. His e-mail address is: larry@woodturner.org