Evanston, IL (March 4, 2013): The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) announces that current Deputy Director Bill Brown will become its Executive Director on May 17, when Shelly Johnson completes her time with the association. Brown has been with AMTA for 8 years, and has been its Deputy Director since the fall of 2010. Until the transition is completed in May, he and Shelly Johnson will collaborate on the day-to-day operations of AMTA.
Johnson notified the AMTA Board of Directors in late December that she planned to leave her position in May for family and personal considerations. Since then, the board has proceeded according to its bylaws and policies to determine the best choice to fill the vacancy. “With Bill’s years of experience at AMTA, including 2 ½ years as Deputy Director, the board is confident in his abilities and understanding of AMTA, its members and the future direction of the association,” says AMTA President Winona Bontrager. “Shelly has given much to AMTA and our members over more than 10 ½ years and has contributed greatly to the development of our profession. We sincerely wish her the best for her future.”
The American Massage Therapy Association is the largest non-profit, professional association serving massage therapists, massage students and massage schools. The association is directed by volunteer leadership and fosters ongoing, direct member-involvement through its 51 chapters. AMTA works to advance the profession through ethics and standards, the promotion of fair and consistent licensing of massage therapists in all states, and public education on the benefits of massage.