NU Online News Service, March 2, 1:14 p.m. EST

ASCnet (Applied Systems Client Network) said it plans torelocate its headquarters by the end of this year after it hasfound a permanent chief executive officer.

In a statement, ASCnet Chair Lisa Parry Becker said plans callfor the Altamonte Springs, Fla., automation standardization andtechnology assistance group to relocate to suburban Chicagoreflecting unprecedented challenges the group has been facing.

"Like many other associations, ASCnet is facing financialpressures," she said, noting the soft property and casualty marketand depressed economy taking a toll on agencies and brokers thatare a source of the association's revenues.

Fewer members have attended its conferences, notably TENCon, andmergers and acquisitions have eaten into new membership andassociation renewals. She also noted changes in the way individualsreceive their education.

While the "current situation is stable," the current location isnot conducive to travel for many of the group's leaders, increasinggovernance costs, and does not provide a central location forchapters and members. Moving to Chicago would bring theheadquarters closer to these interests and also closer to AppliedSystems, it was explained.

"For 25 years we have worked hand-in-hand to solve industryissues, and our core mission remains to enhance our member' valueand profitability through education, effective use of technologyand advocacy," she said.

Ms. Parry Becker added that the "new proximity won't hinder ourability or willingness to advocate for our members with systemenhancements and pricing issues. We will maintain our professionalindependence."

She said it was unfortunate that the association would probablylose valuable staff in the move, but that the move is necessary forthe association's future.

Earlier this week ASCnet posted a job opening for a new CEO onits Web site.

Currently, the position is being filled by Rick Morgan who hasserved as interim CEO since July of last year.

He replaced Linn Wheeling, who left her post in 2008.