Scott D. Grayson was recently named by the American Public Works Association (APWA) and Canadian Public Works Association (CPWA) as the new executive director. Selected by the Board of Directors, Grayson will lead the organization and reports to the APWA Board, as well as more than 29,000 members across North America. Grayson will take over the helm on April 15, 2016 from Interim Executive Director Larry W. Frevert, P.E., PWLF, of Kansas City, Kan.

“The Board voted unanimously to hire Scott Grayson. His nearly 30 years of association management expertise combined with his experience as a city council member in the City of Golden Valley, Minn., will provide us with a very unique skill set to ensure that public works professionals’ voices are heard in the U.S. Congress and Canadian Parliament, while also ensuring that their professional development skills are continually being enhanced,” said APWA President Brian Usher, PWLF, public works director of Largo, Fla.

As executive director, Grayson will lead the APWA and CPWA in the management and direction of the formulation and execution of strategic and tactical initiatives. He will also be responsible for the oversight of operations, the management and development of the annual budget, collaborative work with industry partners, and the implementation of organizational best practices and policies. “I am very much looking forward to the opportunity of working with the APWA Board and staff to implement the Board’s strategic priorities of advocacy, professional development and continued growth and engagement of all of APWA’s Chapters in the US and Canada. Through these strategic priorities, APWA will continue to serve as the voice of the profession in the U.S. Congress and Canadian Parliament, provide excellent products and services, and engage all current and future APWA members in North America and beyond,” Grayson said. “I strongly believe that with the increased attention on needed infrastructure improvements throughout our cities in the US and Canada, APWA is positioned to serve both governments as their best resource.”

Grayson is currently the associate managing director for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE-USA), based in Washington D.C., where he is responsible for programs related to employment, career and professional development, entrepreneurship, engineering licensing, and continuing education, as well as supporting the Board. While at IEEE-USA, Grayson has also been responsible for state and federal legislative programs and served as staff liaison to numerous scientific engineering and legal organizations to build coalitions. He has also worked in areas of communications, public relations, membership development, conference management, accreditation, fundraising, research, and most recently developed a leadership program for student and young professional members.

Grayson’s association and nonprofit executive management experience concentrates in the areas of staff management/coaching, Board development, budgeting, strategic planning, government and public relations, licensure, program management, non-dues revenue, electronic and print publications, social media, conference management, chapter relations , fundraising, research and surveys. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Master of Arts degree from New York University’s Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, specializing in international politics and economic development.

In addition, Grayson served as a city council member for the City of Golden Valley, Minn., and as chair of the Golden Valley Housing Redevelopment Authority. He has authored or co-authored numerous publications, and is a member of several professional associations including the American Society for Association Executives, the Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives, and the Association for Talent Development. He also speaks Spanish and French and has served in numerous community leadership positions.