Introducing AACE's 2026 – 2027 Membership Advisory Committee

AACE International is pleased to announce the 2026–2027 Membership Advisory Committee (MAC), including Regional Directors who support AACE sections around the world and committee members who help guide membership growth and member engagement initiatives.

The MAC helps strengthen the member experience by supporting local sections, encouraging volunteer leadership, and advancing initiatives that help members connect and engage with AACE. As members of the committee, Regional Directors work with section leaders to share best practices, foster collaboration, and identify opportunities to strengthen existing sections and establish new ones.

2026 – 2027 Membership Advisory Committee

• Chair: Eric Cannon
• Vice Chair: Nicole Johnson

Committee Members

• Andre Luiz Marques
• Carlos Ortega
• Ghaith Al-Hiyari
• Gino Napuri
• Kamran Hazini
• Nambiappan Sivasubramania

Eric Cannon assumes the role of Chair after serving as Vice Chair, while Nicole Johnson transitions from Region 3 Director to Vice Chair. The committee also welcomes Gino Napuri, Kamran Hazini, and Nambiappan Sivasubramania, who bring extensive experience as section leaders and valuable insight into supporting AACE's sections and membership initiatives. Following four years as MAC Chair, Ghaith Al-Hiyari will continue serving on the committee, providing continuity and ongoing leadership.

Regional Directors

The following volunteers will serve as AACE Regional Directors:

• Region 1: Canada – Rami Daniel
• Region 2: United States: Northeast – Pirouz Bozorgnia
• Region 3: United States: Southeast – Luis Terry
• Region 4: United States: Midwest – Kimberly Kozak
• Region 5: United States: Southwest – Dathan Beasley
• Region 6: United States: West Coast – Bilyana Milanova
• Region 7: Middle East – Lucia Vernon
• Region 8: Asia, Australia & Pacific Rim – Lan Zhang
• Region 9: Europe & Africa – Mirela Tsagkari
• Region 10: Central & South America – Position Open

This term welcomes seven newly appointed Regional Directors while also recognizing the continued service of Lucia Vernon (Region 7) and Mirela Tsagkari (Region 9). A new Region 10 Director will be appointed soon.

Thank You to Our Outgoing Leaders

AACE extends its sincere appreciation to the volunteers whose leadership and service have strengthened our sections and member community.

A special thank you goes to Ghaith Al-Hiyari, who served as Chair of the Membership Advisory Committee for the past four years. During his tenure, the MAC expanded support for sections through stronger communication, increased collaboration among Regional Directors, practical resources for section leaders, and a more strategic approach to section development. His leadership helped strengthen the committee and build a solid foundation for continued section success and member engagement.

We also thank our outgoing Regional Directors for their dedicated service:

• Region 1: Diana Nada
• Region 2: Natasha Dahl
• Region 3: Nicole Johnson
• Region 4: Alex Olson
• Region 8: Paul Harris

In addition, we thank Kimberly Forbes for her service on the Membership Advisory Committee. The time, expertise, and leadership contributed by these volunteers have made a lasting impact on AACE and its global network.

Connect with Your Local Section

Your local AACE section is one of the best ways to build professional relationships, exchange technical knowledge, attend educational events, and become involved as a volunteer leader.

Connect with your Regional Director through the Regional Directors page, or use the Section Search page to find a section near you. Whether you're attending your first section meeting or looking to take on a leadership role, your local section is a great place to connect, contribute, and grow within AACE.