WASHINGTON — The American Psychological Association has promoted Archie Turner to a new position, chief operating officer (COO). Turner has been APA’s chief financial officer (CFO) since 2008, and will continue in that role. The new COO position replaces the previous deputy CEO position within the association.
“The responsibilities of this position encompass many, but not all, of those of the previous deputy CEO, along with the addition of new responsibilities,” APA CEO Norman B. Anderson, PhD, said in announcing the appointment. “Mr. Turner will continue to function as CFO and will assign additional finance-related responsibilities to his very capable deputies in the Finance Office. This combined COO/CFO position is not uncommon in large nonprofit organizations, and we are lucky to have someone of Archie’s experience and skills to take on this important role for APA.”
As COO, Turner will provide the leadership, management and vision necessary to ensure that the association has the proper operational controls, administrative and reporting procedures, and people systems in place to effectively grow the organization and to ensure its financial strength and operating efficiency. In his expanded role, Turner will facilitate the transition to an interim CEO upon Anderson’s retirement, which is set for Dec. 31. The promotion, announced Nov. 9, was effective immediately to ensure continuity of business activities during a period of transition at the 123-year-old association.
“In his COO role, Archie will be a critical resource for the interim CEO during that person’s tenure, and will greatly facilitate the transition to the next CEO when that person takes over,” Anderson said. The search for an interim CEO is under way.
Before joining APA, Turner spent 14 years as CFO for The National Academies, which includes the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine), the National Academy of Engineering and the National Research Council. The academies are private, nonprofit organizations with 1,100 employees and a combined annual budget of $265 million.
The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. APA's membership includes more than 122,500 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people's lives.