In 2009, Mark G. Watson was appointed Executive Director of RSNA. Burton P. Drayer, MD announced the appointment in a letter published in the April 2009 RSNA News.
I am pleased to announce that Mark G. Watson will become the Society's executive director on April 1, 2009. Mark comes to this position with nearly 20 years of experience working at RSNA on significant projects and in key capacities, including service as the interim executive director since September 2008.
Assistant executive director (AED) for finance and administration at RSNA for the past 15 years, Mark was selected after a thorough search and from a field of candidates reviewed by Korn/Ferry International, the Executive Director Search Committee and the Board of Directors.
The Board's selection of Mark as executive director indicates not only its recognition of his history of distinguished service with RSNA but also its confidence in his ability to provide the good counsel and effective leadership needed to realize the promise of RSNA's future.
Mark graduated from Western Illinois University with a bachelor's degree in business and accounting. He began his career in 1986 at KPMG Peat Marwick. In 1990 he was hired by RSNA as the director of finance. Two years later, he became the director of finance and business affairs and, in 1994, became AED for finance and administration.
During his 15 years as an AED, Mark was responsible for all membership, financial and accounting activities for RSNA, including the development of long-term financial forecasting models that have proved critical to the Board's strategic plans and decisions.
Mark has also been responsible for Society business and administration, including reviewing and negotiating all Society agreements and contracts with outside parties and developing and administering all personnel policies. Mark was involved in every detail of the development of the RSNA headquarters building—from site selection and financing through construction and move-in. During RSNA management of a number of radiology societies in the 1990s, Mark served as the executive director of the Radiation Research Society and North American Hyperthermia Society, working closely with the governing boards and committees of these societies and overseeing their administration.
After years of working with the RSNA Research & Education Foundation, in 2005 he was named director of the Foundation, enabling him to work even closer with the Board of Trustees and staff in planning and executing the Foundation's Silver Anniversary Campaign.
His depth and breadth of knowledge of RSNA operations and his leadership skills made him the natural candidate for the position of interim executive director.
Members of successive RSNA Boards of Directors have long noted Mark's considerable business and financial acumen as well as his administrative skills. He shares information and knowledge, enabling informed decision making by Society leadership. He has demonstrated integrity, sound judgment and the ability to make decisions at strategic and operational levels. His understanding of and commitment to the RSNA mission, coupled with his genuine affinity for the volunteers and staff who carry it out on a day-to-day basis, have impressed all who have worked with him.
Mark was born in Iowa and has made the Chicago area his home since 1988. He and his wife of 23 years, Annamarie, have two children, Sarah and Matt.
On behalf of the Board of Directors and the membership, I thank the Search Committee, chaired by Hedvig Hricak, M.D., Ph.D., Dr. h.c., and consisting of Sarah S. Donaldson, M.D., Gary J. Becker, M.D., Ronald L. Arenson, M.D., and C. Douglas Maynard, M.D., for their careful and expeditious work. I also thank the RSNA staff, who, under Mark's leadership, have kept our Society functioning at such a high level during this transition period.
Finally, I ask you to join me in congratulating Mark and wishing him every success in the important role of Executive Director of RSNA.
Burton P. Drayer, M.D.
Chairman, 2009 RSNA Board of Directors