WORLD - Nancy Hasselback, the current president and CEO of Diversified Communications, will retire in June after 33 years with the firm.
She became president in 2003 and assumed her current role at Diversified Communications in 2009.
In an email to staff, Hasselback revealed she will fulfill a lifelong dream of sailing round the world. She began her professional career in the seafood business as a commercial fisherman, owning and operating vessels fishing in Rhode Island and Alaska.
“For 30 plus years I have been incredibly fortunate to work for and eventually lead Diversified Communications, but there is something else that I want to do,” wrote Hasselback. “I am announcing my retirement in order to embark on a new and exciting journey of discovering the world under sail.
“I can’t tell you how much I value each and every one of you - it has been a true pleasure and a privilege to work with our highly competent and committed teams around the world.”
“For many years, Nancy has been at the heart of Diversified Business Communications’ expansion from the US to a truly global business as well as being responsible for diversification into new industries,” said Daniel Hildreth, chairman of the board. “Though perhaps the most important legacy Nancy leaves is from her commitment to Diversified’s values and making the company such a great place to work.”
During her tenure, Hasselback spearheaded the rapid growth of a company which produced just four trade shows and three magazines in 1993. Since then, Diversified has launched and acquired more than 90 products and established new divisions in Australia, Hong Kong, India, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, setting up infrastructures in strategic regions and building global brands. Revenue has grown by more than 300 per cent in that period.
Hasselback has served as the chair of the Society of Independent Show Organizers, and the Center for Exhibition Industry Research. She is a member of the board of directors of UFI, the global association of the exhibition industry.
Ted Wirth, Diversified’s vice-president of business development, will take over Hasselback’s role after her retirement. He first joined Diversified as finance director in 1994 and then served as vice president of Commercial Marine Expositions. In 1999, he left Diversified to launch a magazine and subsequently a high-end personalised stationery company.
He returned to Diversified in 2008 and has played a critical role in the company’s expansion, including the acquisition or Pri-Med and Amazing Charts, the leading electronic health record company, as well as entrance into the Hong Kong and Indian markets.
Matthew Pearce, the MD of Diversified Communications Asia, will take on an expanded role in international business development.
The Diversified-run Organic Food Fair is to co-locate with Natural Products Scandinavia in Malmo in October.
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