John Koehr is an accomplished association executive who advances interdisciplinary mission, margin, and strategy impact in not-for-profit professional societies and industry associations. He served as President/CEO for the Associated Builders and Contractors Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter ($3M revenue, 500 corporate members, 11 staff), Executive Director at the Southern California Contractors Association ($3M revenue, 300 corporate members, 7 staff), and Executive Director for the Society of Exploration Geophysicists ($17M revenue, 14,000 members, 75 staff). In these roles he improved financial performance, strategically aligned resources, fostered collaborative environments, revised business processes, enhanced governance, launched new revenue-generating products, and cultivated performance cultures. Previous leadership experience included service in multiple roles at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers ($120M revenue, 120,000 members, 350 staff), including running two subsidiaries as President. As a freelance consultant he provides project management, strategy, leadership, and operations management consulting services addressing the needs of not-for-profit professional societies and industry associations
Earlier in his career John served as a senior project manager in the subsea telecommunications cable industry, project manager and engineer in the commercial nuclear power industry, and as a U.S. Navy submarine officer. John holds an engineering degree from the U.S. Naval Academy and both Certified Association Executive (CAE) and Project Management Professional (PMP) credentials.
John’s diverse background includes a unique combination of service in non-profit associations, diverse industries, and the U.S. military. This broad background has enabled him to build effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels and over a wide range of perspectives including executives, scientists, engineers, architects, constructors, contractors, craftspeople, insurers, government agencies, policy makers, and regulators.
John has a record of successful strategic planning and alignment, achieving objectives, financial performance, developing innovative new revenue-generating products, government advocacy, facilitating public-private partnerships, collaboration with allied organizations, enhancing external communications, and leading and developing versatile high-performing teams. He has direct experience with nearly all product and program forms offered by associations including standards, events, education, publications, membership, credentialing, conformity assessment, collaborative research, advocacy, philanthropy, digital content, and constituent engagement.
John lives in Hillsborough, New Jersey, with his wife Melissa of over 36 years. They have three adult sons, all Mechanical Engineers and Eagle Scouts. John volunteers with the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) Office of Admissions as a Blue and Gold Officer and as a Trustee and Treasurer on the USS New Jersey (SSN 796) Submarine Commissioning Committee.
LinkedIn: John Koehr