Set to depart his role in 2024, Steve Pasierb said it has been an honour and privilege to serve in the role of president and CEO of The Toy Association.
The Toy Association has announced that president and CEO Steve Pasierb is stepping down from his role at the organization in the spring of 2024. His current contract will expire in April, following nearly a decade of leadership with the trade organization.
“It has been a distinct honour and privilege to serve in the role of president & CEO of The Toy Association, and I count myself fortunate to be among those over the past 107 years to hold this position,” commented Steve. “It has been a wonderful journey of strategic actions, change management, legislative wins and accomplishments working alongside our dedicated board, more than 1,000 members and a passionate and talented professional team. I look forward to collaborating with the executive committee and our staff to make certain of a smooth and effective transition over the coming months.”
“Steve’s impact was significant during tumultuous times as he led staff in delivering on priority actions, strategic planning, rebranding and expanding the Association’s regulatory and legislative impact on an international scale, among many other transformative accomplishments,” said Aaron Muderick, chairperson of the Association’s board of directors. “The Association remains focused on the evolving needs of our diverse members, the changing role of trade shows and market events, and is poised to continue its service to members under new leadership.”
A transition committee has been put in place to identify and hire a new chief executive. A leadership advisory firm, Spencer Stuart, has been retained to assist in the search, and Andy Keimach, former president of VTech North America and chairman of JPMA, will step into a role of interim president over the coming months. Aaron Muderick will fill Andy Keimach’s role on the board executive committee as well as nominate an additional role on the executive committee to ensure that the Association will have full member participation under the bylaws during the transitional time.
During Steve Pasierb’s tenure, the organization was awarded honours as one of America’s Best Nonprofits to Work For and effectively delivered on all member value services during three years of pandemic upheaval that forced the cancellation of major trade shows. The Association made a successful return to marketplace events in 2022 in Dallas and with the 2023 return of its Toy Fair.
Founded in 1916, The Toy Association is a trade association representing businesses involved in creating and delivering toys and youth entertainment products for kids of all ages and supports the growth of the US toy industry. It is an influential advocate for hundreds of companies including manufacturers, retailers, licensors and others. The Association promotes play’s positive impact on childhood development to consumers and media and has a long history of leadership in toy safety.
