After the departure of its 20-plus-year executive director, the Florida Swimming Pool Association has found a new staff leader.
Last week, Elizabeth McMurray joined FSPA as its new executive director, replacing Wendy Parker Barsell. McMurray was chosen by a search committee comprised of a representative from each of FSPA’s 14 chapters. “We early on identified that we wanted somebody with senior leadership experience in the not-for-profit realm, somebody with a strong background in both membership and administration, and ideally someone with pool-industry experience — and we got all three,” said FSPA President Maurice Bushroe. “So we’re really excited about her background and how quickly we think she can step in and help lead …”
In addition to working as a small-business consultant advising both for-profit and nonprofit companies, McMurray served three years at the St. Petersburg [Fla.]Area Chamber of Commerce, first as its vice president of finance and administration, then as COO/chief of staff.
Before that, McMurray worked for seven years as director of operations for pool-treatment-products maker Jack’s Magic.
“I really loved the people, the dynamic energy and the stability the industry maintains,” McMurray said. “I’m incredibly excited to be back, particularly from a nonprofit perspective, seeing all the amazing activities in which FSPA is involved, the incredible people engaged with us, and the exponential growth that is on the horizon …”
Barsell left the organization at the end of June to take the role of business development manager with Tampa, Fla.-based service franchise Pool Troopers.
More to come about McMurray and FSPA’s plans moving forward.
