Alliance of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Science Societies names Jim Cudahy as its CEO

May, 11, 2022 (Madison, WI) – The Alliance of Crop, Soil and Environmental Science Societies (ACSESS) has named Jim Cudahy, CAE, as its new CEO. A seasoned association executive, Cudahy will lead ACSESS’s efforts to support three societies – the American Society of Agronomy, the Crop Science Society of America, and the Soil Science Society of America - in delivering on their missions for scientists and professionals in the agronomic, crop, and soil sciences.

Cudahy, a Certified Association Executive (CAE), has served in a variety of roles in professional and membership associations over the last 25 years, most recently as a managing director at Virtual, Inc. and previously holding roles as the President & CEO of the National Investor Relations Institute and the President & CEO of the National Court Reporters Association. In these roles, Cudahy implemented initiatives to increase association marketing and brand recognition, guided boards and governing bodies to develop and act on shared visions, and used his strategic vision and communication to move associations forward. Cudahy’s extensive experience in effective association marketing, membership, and certifications will be a great asset to ACSESS.

ACSESS established a five-member search committee and engaged Talbott Talent, a nonprofit executive recruiting firm, to carry out an extensive and inclusive national search. Cudahy was selected to serve as ACSESS’s CEO and will begin his role effective May 30, 2022.

“We are so excited to see how Jim’s experience and expertise in association management will position ACSESS to make an even bigger impact in the agronomy, crop, and soil sciences in the future,” states April Ulery, President of the ACSESS board of directors. “Jim’s association executive perspective, marketing expertise, and strength in working with multiple boards of directors leading multiple teams, will help us position for greatest impact in the coming years. We are really looking forward to seeing where Jim takes ACSESS in the future!”  

“I am sincerely privileged to be leading the charge to carry out ACSESS’s mission,” states Cudahy. “The people we serve are doing such important work! They are on the frontlines of feeding the world. They are positioning the world to address issues of climate change and innovating in spaces such as renewable energy, carbon sequestration, and food access. I am excited to be a part of this global impact by serving as ACSESS’s next leader.”

The three societies ACSESS supports have a large international footprint, with more than 9,000 individual members around the world and forty companies and businesses in the Corporate Membership program. Under Cudahy’s leadership ACSESS will advance the fields of agronomy, crop science, and soil science.