NATE Names Denny Smith Director of Certification
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North American Technician Excellence (NATE) is pleased to announce the appointment of Denny Smith, Ph.D., as its new Director of Certification. Chairman of the NATE Board of Trustees, Don Frendberg, and the selection committee chose Smith for the position based on his experience with executive-level association management and expertise in exam development and certification.
As Director of Certification, Smith will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of NATE testing and certification. His primary responsibility will be leading the evaluation, development and modification of NATE exams, ensuring they are always valid, reliable and up-to-date as the industry evolves and technology changes. As part of this role, Smith will be NATE’s staff liaison on the NATE technical committee, which is comprised of more than 20 appointed industry professionals and over 70 subject matter experts who volunteer their time to collaborate on the exam development process.
Prior to joining the NATE team, Smith served as president and CEO of Certified Fund Raising Executives International, an organization dedicated to the certification of international fundraising executives. He also held previous roles at Pearson, the largest testing and assessment provider in the United States; the Financial Planning Standards Board, an association focused on certification of financial planners worldwide; and Project Management Institute, which offers global certification for project managers. Throughout his career, Smith has gained extensive expertise in ANSI/ISO/IEC assessment practices, exam development, psychometric analysis, volunteer engagement and certification from a global perspective.
Smith earned his Ph.D. in Educational Studies at Purdue University and holds a master’s degree in Psychology from Miami University. He resides in Alexandria, Va.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Denny as our new Director of Certification,” stated Don Frendberg, Chairman of the NATE Board of Trustees. “His experience makes him an ideal candidate for this position, and we’re confident that he will be a valuable addition to the NATE team.”
Posted In: ACCA Now, Partner News
