By Mary Klett, ASA Communications Team

In September 2002, Angie Wentz leapt into the American Subcontractors Association Executive Director’s chair in Western PA, contacted her 20 chapter members, and never looked back. 

And 22 years later, she’s still looking forward to leaping into new ventures of a different kind, including, 

• Taking a good book out onto the patio to enjoy the morning
• Getting more involved with her church and its summer lunch program for kids, and
• Spending more time with her mother and sister

And looking further ahead, she plans to get involved in several women bible study groups…sometime next year. 

But what kept her in her chapter Executive Director seat for 20 years? “I can’t stress enough the appreciation I have for this association, our board, and the support of the other executive directors that move this association forward. I owe a lot of my success to the other EDs. I’ve never worked with such a fantastic group of people willing to support and boost each other.”

Angie also stressed the importance of having an active and dedicated board. “You need to get new blood on the board at regular intervals. It’s too easy to sit back and just ‘let things happen.’ Luckily we had about three presidents that really got things going and helped me grow this chapter to the 98 companies we have currently.” 

Advice for other executive directors? 

#1 – Know your members. “When you know your members, everything else falls into place.” 

#2 – Look for leadership qualities – no matter how young, and start to suggest people for the board. “Leaders follow leaders.” 

#3 – “You’ve got to like people, be flexible, and be disciplined enough to be able to work on your own.”

And SUBExcel? There’s no substitute to getting face to face with other Executive Directors at ASA’s annual convention. “We’re all facing all the same challenges. I’ve gotten so many incredible ideas and strategies for being a better ED. You’ve GOT to go.”

“One of the best kept secrets in ASA are the EDs. We all respect this job and respect one another.” 

So while she’s busy reading the latest bestseller, packing lunches for school children, chatting with her mom and sister, I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s giving a wistful thought now and then to her time at ASA. Let’s hope so, anyway.

Note: Erin Joyce will sit in Angie’s chair starting October 1, 2024. If she hasn’t yet reached out to you, we know she’d love to hear from her chapter members: erin@asawpa.org or (724) 538-8227.