Scott Blech is responsible for the overall management of EMDRIA. He has more than 25 years of association management experience with national, state and regional associations. Scott has a Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives. He received his A.B. degree in political science from the University of Michigan and a M.A. in journalism with honors from the University of Missouri. He has held leadership positions with the California, Texas and American Society of Association Executives. He became Executive Director of EMDRIA in 2004.

Gayla Turner first began working for EMDRIA in 1997, as Conference Coordinator.  In 2001, she took over as Associate Director of EMDRIA, supervising the daily operations of the Association under the direction of the Executive Director.  Gayla has a Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives.  With more than 10 years of experience at EMDRIA, Gayla also is responsible for financial operations and is editor of the quarterly Newsletter. She is a member of the Texas and American Society of Association Executives.    

Sherri Barras began working for EMDRIA in August of 2006, as a part-time Administrative Assistant. She is responsible for answering phones, opening and distributing the mail, processing all product orders, and other various administrative projects.  Sherri attended the University of Texas and is an avid Longhorn Baseball fan. When not at work, she can often be found taking in a game with her husband and son or pining for baseball in the off-season.

Laura Hoye became Education & Training Coordinator in 2008.  Laura has a Bachelor of Science in Social Work and a Master of Public Health, specializing in Health Services Management and Policy from the Ohio State University. She previously served as a project manager at the Ohio Hospital Association; in that position she worked with several committees, coordinated and marketed teleconferences, planned a conference attended by 400 professionals, and developed newsletters and reports on current issues and news related to patient safety.  While attending the University, she was a Medicaid Systems Analyst for the State of Ohio and a Development Assistant at the College of Social Work.
 

Lynn Simpson began working for EMDRIA in 2002, as a part-time Administrative Assistant.  In 2005, she took a full-time position with EMDRIA as Membership Services Coordinator.  Lynn processes all Membership and Conference registrations and processes all changes in contact information.  When not at work, Lynn enjoys Bingo, shopping at Flea Markets, and mostly her three beloved dogs.

Whitney Hanson became Publications & Communications Coordinator in August 2008. Whitney was the Marketing Coordinator for CynergisTek, Inc., an Austin-based security management firm; in this position she designed and produced email marketing communications, newsletters, advertisements and promotional materials; she also was responsible for public and media relations and website maintenance and development. She has a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from the University of Texas College of Communications

Shira Pisner joined the EMDRIA staff as Event Planner in August 2008. Shira previously was Manager, Meetings and Educational Services, of the International Dairy Foods Association in Washington, D.C. She was responsible for planning nine meetings ranging in size from 50 to 800 attendees. Shira also, with the Meetings Director, managed the Worldwide Food Expo, a biannual 22,000-attendee tradeshow. Shira has a Bachelor of Arts and Humanities in Communications from the University of Maryland.