Vagley To Leave AIA Presidency

By Steven Brostoff, Washington Editor

NU Online News Service, April 6, 2:33 p.m.EDT

In a letter to the Board of Directors of the Washington-basedAIA, Mr. Vagley said he made the decision because of his desire todo something new and for family reasons.

"I am attracted to several new ventures and want the freedom toopenly consider them: starting my own public policy managementfirm, leading another organization, taking a position ingovernment, serving on corporate boards, perhaps even signing onwith a D.C. lobbying or law firm," Mr. Vagley said.

"Moreover, and more importantly, I want to assist my wife,Holly, who set aside a promising Broadway and musical theatercareer to move to Washington when we married," he said.

"Since 9/11," Mr. Vagley said, "she has turned her talents tocomposing, recording and performing contemporary, faith-based musicand is about to complete her first CD. I look forward to supportingher as she has so unselfishly helped me with my career."

Mr. Vagley joined AIA in 1986. In his letter to the board, Mr.Vagley noted that he was brought in to restore AIA to preeminencein the insurance industry.

"This fine old institution had lost its luster and was in asomewhat precarious state," Mr. Vagley said.

Since then, he said, AIA has become one of the most renowned andeffective trade associations among all U.S. industries.

"It has been a great run," Mr. Vagley said.