The association says the move is designed to "streamline operations, create greater operating efficiencies and bring related departments together for stronger collaboration and synergy."
"Our reorganization comes at an opportune time," said Richard A. Strano, CAE, AIHA executive director. "AIHA stands on the threshold of some outstanding opportunities. In order to take advantage of them, we needed to bring the staff together in new ways, rethink the way we accomplish our goals, and provide new mechanisms for collaboration."
AIHA President Gayla J. McCluskey, CIH, CSP, ROH, QEP, said the board supports the changes, adding, "It is our goal to provide vital products and services in the most cost effective ways."
The association has named a new communications team that brings together the functions of public relations and publishing of AIHA Journal (AIHA's bi-monthly scientific publication) and The Synergist (AIHA's monthly magazine) and has created a new marketing and product development team to promote greater synergy and collaboration in the development and delivery of AIHA products and services.
Recently, AIHA made other internal operating changes to reduce costs and streamline operations. Earlier in the year, AIHA outsourced its product ordering and fulfillment function and installed a new telecommunications system. These changes reduced the number of customer service staff needed by two full-time employees. Additionally, AIHA continues to streamline and outsource functions in editorial and other aspects of delivering products and services.