The International Warehouse Logistics Association (IWLA) Board of Directors has announced that Steve W. DeHaan, CAE, is the organization’s new president & CEO.

DeHaan brings a long history of successful advocacy campaigns and association leadership focused on the residential retail, home building and real estate industries. DeHaan replaces retiring IWLA president and CEO Joel Anderson who led the association for more than seven years.

“We were seeking someone who had unique qualities and attributes; extensive industry or association experience; a strong passion for advocacy; a proven track record of success running other organizations; a strategic thinker; and excellent leadership skills. Steve meets all those requirements,” says IWLA chairman Paul Verst, CWLP, president and CEO of Verst Group Logistics and chairman of the IWLA Search Committee.

Most recently DeHaan served as CEO of the National Home Furnishings Association (NHFA), based in High Point, N.C. Over the course of more than 14 years at NHFA, he drove two major advocacy initiatives, strengthened NHFA membership, grew attendance at the association convention, and successfully led the board and staff through three strategic plans.

Prior to NHFA, DeHaan spent 10 years as executive vice president and lobbyist of the Michigan Association of Home Builders, and four years as vice president of member services for the Michigan Association of Realtors.

DeHaan says he is eager to meet members and learn about their warehouse-based third-party logistics businesses over the next few months. “It’s important that I talk to members about their businesses to understand what type of education is needed to match the intended goals and to accurately represent/answer questions about our membership to congressional leaders and staff,” he says.