The National Association for the Remodeling Industry (NARI) recently announced that Christine Melendes will assume the role of CEO on July 18, 2022. Melendes has served associations for over 20 years and comes to NARI from the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG).
Melendes most recently served as senior VP of events and strategic projects at ACG, an organization founded in 1954 and consisting of 15,000 members across 57 chapters. Her hiring follows a six-month-long national search led by a national recruiting firm. According to the association, NARI's executive officers reviewed more than 20 candidate resumes, and multiple rounds of interviews were conducted to identify the top candidates. Melendes was selected from a group of four finalists who participated in an additional round of interviews.
She joins the ranks of women in leadership positions across the home improvement and remodeling industries, including Kelly Van Winkle, who was recently named the first female president of the Roofing Alliance.
"I am honored to assume this position, especially at this particular time," said Melendes in a press release. "The remodeling industry is experiencing record growth, and NARI is working with its members to bring them the tools they need for the future."
NARI provides residential remodelers with tools that enable them to perform at a higher level, according to the association. It also connects homeowners with its professional members and touts that NARI members' annual sales are nearly three times the industry average. In addition, the association maintains various industry partnerships—including with some of the top manufacturers of building materials, technology, windows, doors and more that work directly with roofing and exteriors contractors.
"Christine brings a proven track record of engaging and developing members and of working collaboratively with members and chapter leaders nationwide," said NARI President Chris Egner. "Her fresh perspective will bring new vitality to NARI as she develops and implements our new strategic vision."
Elsie Iturralde served as interim CEO after David Pekel unexpectedly left the post in 2021.
