Eric Dexter, immediate past president of Forum 35, was selected on Tuesday evening at an emergency meeting of the young professionals group to take over as president for the next six months.
The move comes in the wake of the unexpected departure of former president Kasey Henry, who is relocating to Houston at the end of this month to take a job with a CPA firm.
Forum 35 members approved a succession plan, effectively immediately, on Tuesday evening that calls for Kelly Bienn to become president-elect, meaning she’ll take over from Dexter after he completes the remaining time on Henry’s term.
Bryan Fontenot, meanwhile, announced at the meeting that he’s stepping down from his role as president-elect to focus on Forum 35’s Viva il Vino event, which he is co-chairing this year, the group says.
Fontenot was initially slated to become the next president under the initial succession plan announced by Forum 35 in the wake of Henry’s announcement on Friday that she was stepping down, but that plan changed before Tuesday’s emergency meeting.
“This succession plan was discussed among our executive committee and with past presidents of Forum 35, and we are confident it is the best path going forward,” Dexter says in a prepared statement. “Bryan’s leadership is invaluable in his role as co-chair of Viva il Vino, and Kelly is ready to take the reins. As a member organization, we felt it was important to involve everyone in the discussion and allow the membership to vote to implement the plan. We’re excited to build on the momentum Kasey has developed and wish her the best in Houston.”
—Steve Sanoski
