DRI International Enhances Its Goals With ASMI

- by Dr. Thomas D. Phelan

Today’s lightning-paced world means that business landscapes rearrange themselves frequently, and organizations that don’t seize that opportunity are left behind. DRI International (DRII) recently changed its business landscape to embrace a unique concept - using pooled resources for administrative operations - that brings cost savings while providing more elaborate, state-of-the-art business services than could otherwise be supported.
September 2000 marked DRII’s contract with Association Society & Management International, Inc. (ASMI) of Falls Church, Virginia to staff DRII’s office and manage day-to-day activities. The Institute continues under the leadership of the volunteer Board of Directors for business direction, and the volunteer, elected Certification Board sets and administers certification program policies. Other volunteers or independent contractors continue as instructors, subject matter experts, and advisors who recommend courseware and Professional Practices improvements.
DRII is augmenting its credentials by supplementing this industry specific volunteer base with ASMI’s experienced, credentialed, comprehensive administration and management staff, in addition to a high level of fiscal and legal oversight and experience in statistics, journalism, foreign languages, and governmental affairs that DRII has not had before.

STAFF MEETS CHALLENGE
DRII’s Board knew the transition from the former St. Louis office would be demanding; however, DRII’s staff welcomes that challenge. A former Lieutenant Colonel with the U.S. Air Force, DRI International’s Executive Director, John L. Fiegel, is dedicated to DRII operations.
John has more than 12 years of association management and experience in government processes. He has a management degree, a masters in international affairs, and is a Certified Association Executive as conferred by the American Society of Association Executives. John’s background in contingency planning and adult education solidly supports DRII’s goals for its global programs. John is committed to “continuing the current transition activities in a logical, comprehensive manner, moving forward to the next level of service DRII strives to offer.” John adds, “We’re thrilled to have a crackerjack staff to ensure a seamless transition and are looking forward to merging their skills and experience to streamline and enhance our ongoing programs.”

EXPERIENCE ENHANCES DRII PROGRAMS
Carol Cisco-Cox, DRII Program Assistant, has a member services and human resources background. Carol, with a BS in education and human development, helps both John and Ellen boost the value DRII’s certification and education programs bring to the business continuity professional.
I am the DRII Education/Certification Manager and have a BS in journalism and communications. Formerly the Director of Continuing Education for the Institute of Industrial Engineers, I was also the Associate Executive Director of Education and Accreditation at the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
Several specialized professionals and support staff work on DRII’s behalf:
· Juan Cabrera, foreman of the three-person mailroom, is a second-year business major at Columbia Union College.
· Ms. Sue Denston’s background with associations, consulting companies, and advertising and law firms, and her BBA in marketing provide an excellent base for supervising the recent transition activities.
· Member records support comes from Kyle Julian, currently pursuing a BS in government and public administration at George Mason University.
· Mrs. Sharon Kelly provides information management support, and supervises inquiry response and statistics compilation and analysis.
· Formal finance management is provided by Mrs. Hui-Ling Liang, who was an account manager and senior accountant in private industry (she is fluent in Chinese).
· Ms. Cherilyn Middelthon, a member of the International Association for Administration Professionals, provides receptionist and membership services.
· Mrs. Barbara Tyeryar, with a BA in Spanish, provides membership services, dues management, and financial controls.
· Mrs. Debbie Vincent, supports the transition with her office manager and accounting specialist experience.
John expresses his appreciation to Richard Arnold (DRJ publisher) for founding the Institute and helping DRII substantially during its first decade of operations. “I look forward to continuing the close cooperation the groups share,” he states. “I thank Jay Bender and the St. Louis staff for their efforts to bring DRII to the respected position it enjoys today,” he adds.
John says DRII’s recent changes are designed to enhance membership services, recruitment, and retention, while “increasing DRII’s stature as the premier provider of business continuity certification - we will stand head and shoulders above any other industry programs, and will continue to grow our opportunities to advance the credibility of the business continuity professional world-wide.”

Ellen Vagner is the DRII Education/Certification Manager. Formerly the Director of Continuing Education for the Institute of Industrial Engineers, Ms. Vagner was also the Associate Executive Director of Education and Accreditation at the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.

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