Staff Members of the EIFS Industry Members Association
CEO/Executive Director
Stephen T. Sears, MBA, CEP ssears@eima.com (703) 538-1616 Stephen Sears has been the CEO and Executive Director of the EIFS Industry Members Association since June 2021. During his tenure, EIMA and its membership have launched a new industry strategic plan, a new governance structure and a new dues structure to help prepare the EIFS industry for the future. Prior to joining EIMA, Sears spent 16 ½ years at the Brick Industry Association in successive marketing and member services roles until he became Chief Operating Officer in 2014. In his last role, Sears facilitated the development and rapid growth of an “Addie” award-winning consumer marketing program for the brick industry and also provided strategic leadership and oversight for BIA’s successful advocacy efforts at the state and local levels. Before his work in building materials trade associations, Sears spent several years in account management in Manhattan-based advertising agencies, including Ogilvy and Mather, a global advertising agency that is part of WPP in London, and a boutique marketing firm for Computer Associates International (now known as CA Technologies). Prior to entering the business world, Sears held several appointed positions in the Administration of President George H.W. Bush – including a political appointment at the U.S. Department of Labor. Stephen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington & Lee University and a Master of Business Administration from The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. |
Senior Director
Laurie A. Joseph, CEP ljoseph@eima.com (703) 538-1615 Laurie Joseph, an accomplished professional in the EIFS industry, currently serves as the Senior Director at the EIFS Industry Members Association. Now in her fourteenth year at EIMA, Laurie has a wealth of institutional knowledge and plays a pivotal role in overseeing various aspects of EIMA's operations, including promotion, membership, programs, events, education, and financial management. In her previous role as Director of Communications at EIMA, Laurie effectively managed internal and external communications, handled media relations, and built valuable relationships with stakeholders. Prior to that, as EIMA's Director of Membership, Laurie managed the membership function, and revived the long-time dormant EIFS awards program. With a background that extends beyond EIFS, Laurie served as the Director of Field Marketing at Charter Oak Partners (acquired by Tanger Outlets), where she orchestrated nationwide consumer marketing programs and executed large-scale companywide functions for the nationwide outlet shopping center developer. Early in her career, Laurie was the Director of Membership at the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce where she directed membership sales and retention efforts for the 850-member Chamber. Laurie holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Economics from SUNY Oneonta. |