Matthew Shay
Matthew Shay has been named one of the country’s top trade association CEOs by the publication CEO Update.
The prestigious list, which ranks association leaders from all industries and is published in the September edition of CEO Update, considered hundreds of executives.
The article highlights the recent swipe fee debate as a particular test for Shay and NRF over the past year. Just months after Shay began to roll out a new strategic plan for NRF focused on advocacy, communications and education, the article says retailers found themselves “in the thick of one of the hardest-fought Hill battles in recent memory.” After launching its own campaign to mobilize the retail community and raise the profile of retailers on Capitol Hill, one CEO who nominated Shay for the recognition called the swipe fee campaign “a significant win for NRF and the merchants.”
Another peer credited Shay with “swiftly taking NRF into the ranks of first-tier players in D.C.”
The article states that top CEOs were chosen from interviews with hundreds of CEOs, executive recruiters and CEO Update staff. Factors for consideration included the individual’s legislative success, leadership ability, skill in raising a group’s profile or managing a crisis, history of building coalitions and reaching consensus, and membership excellence in areas such as meetings, education and certification.