Financial Executives International (FEI), the association of choice for chief financial officers and other senior-level finance executives, announced the appointment of Andrej Suskavcevic as president and chief executive officer of FEI and Financial Executives Research Foundation (FERF).

He succeeds Paul Chase, vice president and CFO, who has served as interim chief executive officer and president since January. Suskavcevic’s appointment is effective September 8, 2015.

Suskavcevic was most recently president and CEO of the Craft and Hobby Association (CHA), an international nonprofit trade association for the craft and hobby industry. He has extensive experience leading membership organizations, fostering growth, improving processes and programs and building strategic alliances. From 1999-2007 he was employed at FEI, where he was responsible for membership and chapter relations, administrative services, and new business development, rising to the position of Vice President, Operations. During his tenure Suskavcevic also led the expansion of FEI’s member services specifically tailored to meet the needs of private company executives.

“Andrej brings to FEI his considerable experience leading non-profit associations, deep finance background, and unique understanding of our members. His skills and insights will help FEI evolve to meet the changing needs of current and future generations of financial executives,” said Mitch Danaher, chairman, FEI Board of Directors. “We welcome Andrej back to FEI and look forward to working with him in this new role.”

Suskavcevic has led diverse functional areas including membership development, revenue generation and client relations. While CEO of CHA, he successfully expanded the association by establishing an affiliate organization in the United Kingdom. He established chapters and sections to give CHA’s various constituents a voice in the organization and joined a coalition of associations to advocate on behalf of small businesses with legislators and regulators. Prior to joining CHA, Suskavcevic was CEO of the Commercial Finance Association (CFA), the trade association for the asset-based lending industry.

Suskavcevic is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) and a member of the American Society of Association Executives. He holds a BS in finance from Montclair University and a MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business.

FEI is the leading advocate for the views of corporate financial management. Its more than 10,000 members hold policy-making positions as chief financial officers, treasurers and controllers at companies from every major industry.