Principal

Stewart was practically raised in the executive offices of Ruggles, witnessing firsthand his father John Hinckley’s work ethic, business acumen and solid foundational building of Ruggles Service Corporation since 1974.  After earning his chops with a degree in Economics (W&L) and proving himself over 10 years in the nation’s capital-area hotel industry, Stewart was brought into the Ruggles fold in 1992 as Director of Meetings and Conventions. He was promoted to Vice President within a few years, becoming President and CEO in 2006. Stewart helms a well-defined and creative work environment, resulting in long-tenured personnel and an extremely loyal workforce. This stabilization translates into first class member service from a very dedicated team of Ruggles employees. Having worked with medical society boards for almost 30 years, Stewart illustrates through personal action how to guide volunteer leaders to fulfillment of their strategic initiatives, while empowering the staff to drive the day-to-day business of the organization. He is uniquely positioned to leverage best practices among other medical societies managed by Ruggles. Stewart is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and is a member of the American Society of Association Executives and the American Association of Medical Society Executives. He currently serves on the Virginia Society of Association Executives Board of Directors.

Financial Services

Before bringing her enthusiasm to Ruggles in 2003, Kimberly was a manager in a public accounting firm. Her twelve years’ experience there included both tax and audit work with a strong emphasis in the not-for-profit sector.  Kimberly is responsible for all financial record keeping, processing and reporting and works closely with our clients’ Treasurers and Boards of Directors. She has an in-depth knowledge of not-for-profit accounting and is a trusted advisor to the clients she serves. Kimberly is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a BS in Accounting, and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. In her free time, Kimberly enjoys relaxing on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  She is also an avid Disney fan and travels to the “Happiest Place on Earth” as often as possible, and the second happiest place on earth Monday-Friday.

Ken wields a sharp pencil and a sharp wardrobe. Prior to joining Ruggles in 2012, Ken was a manager with a local public accounting firm. His twenty-five years of experience in accounting was in auditing and taxation for the not-for-profit sector and closely held businesses. Ken is responsible for record keeping and financial reporting and works closely with our clients’ Treasurers and Boards of Directors. Ken is a graduate of the University of Richmond with a BS in Accounting. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Association Management

Kim joined Ruggles Service Corporation in 2008 as Director of Membership after more than a decade at VISIT Milwaukee Convention and Visitors Bureau, five as Director of Membership. Kim’s kaleidoscope of talents includes member recruitment and retention, strong relationship building, event planning, fundraising, developing websites and producing publications. Kim now serves as an Association Manager highly regarded by her societies, managing the daily operations, professional education and certification programs of national medical associations.

A Ruggles veteran of over 15 years, Andrew was recruited to the team after serving many of Ruggles’ clients in the capacity of Project Manager with a national audiovisual production company.  He manages Ruggles’ state societies, assisting with their legislative activities, member recruitment and retention, development of member communications, and meeting management, including achieving CME accreditation approval.

Andrew has been applauded for his professionalism, integrity and leadership as VSAE Outstanding Member of the Year and as a recipient of the John R. Dufour Lifetime Professional Achievement Award. In 2018, Psychiatric Society of Virginia presented Andrew with the coveted President’s Award in recognition of his commitment to the mission and goals of the society. Andrew is an active member of the Virginia Society of Association Executives and the Richmond Area Bicycling Association (RABA). He oversees the Bikes for Kids project for the RABA Foundation which provides bicycles for underprivileged children in the Richmond metro area. An avid cyclist, he loves to travel with his wife. “Life is Good!”

Donna joined Ruggles in 2005 to manage an international society of 5000+ members and a robust board and committee structure, including four annual conferences and an international quarterly journal.  A seasoned pro in large-scale special events production throughout the eastern United States and London, Donna retrained her focus on the non-profit medical sector, exhibiting thoughtful stewardship of an association’s volunteer and financial resources.  Working closely with elected and appointed leadership professionals, Donna streamlines a project’s multiple components without sacrificing the timeline and budget requirements of Ruggles’ clients, ultimately resulting in a heightened level of satisfaction among the society’s membership. Donna is a member of the Virginia Society of Association Executives and has been celebrated as a four-time recipient of her society’s bi-annual President’s Award.

Sandra brought more than 14 years of medical association management experience when she joined Ruggles in 2012.  Ruggles’ clients benefit from her accomplishments with the Medical Society of Virginia, the Richmond Academy of Medicine, and as Executive Director of the Psychiatric Society of Virginia. Sandra is known for her strong organizational skills, fostering solid relationships with her board members, and can always be counted on for fast and efficient service. Sandra is active in the Virginia Society of Association Executives and has many interests outside of Ruggles including hiking, traveling and supporting many charitable Richmond non-profits with her amazing and giving husband. Sandra has extended family and friends from Maine to Florida and two wonderful children.

A ‘joyeous’ year for medical association management, it was in 1998 that Joye joined Ruggles with over 10 years of experience in hotel sales, operations and corporate meeting planning. Beloved by her members and Boards of Directors, Joye has served Ruggles as both Director of Membership and Association Executive. Along with the development of successful member recruitment and retention initiatives, she provides successful strategies for association growth and possesses the organizational and customer service skills necessary for leading projects through timely completion. The only non-medically degreed professional to ever receive the accolade, Joye was presented with the Knotty Cane Award by the President of the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics as the individual he felt helped him most through his administration. She is active in the Virginia Society of Association Executives and volunteers at her church for the children’s elementary age ministry.

Meetings and Events

Matt joined the Ruggles team in 2008 after a 28-year career in the audiovisual production industry, during which he troubleshot and managed it all. During these nearly three decades, Matt’s experience as Corporate Director of Convention Services involved warehouse management, in-house hotel operations and sales and convention production.  Matt’s wealth of experience in meeting and event support from the supplier side of the industry, coupled with his exterior calm demeanor while internal brain gears churn, instills confidence in clients from the onset of the contracting process through execution of onsite logistics.  Ruggles’ society partners have come to expect and enjoy seamless conference outcomes with Matt on site.

Corporate and Educational Support

Dana hails from a great southern state with an engaging “Hey, y’all!” Dana’s initial role with Ruggles was as the Association Executive, advancing next to Executive Director, of a large and extremely ambitious medical society. In 2014, she transitioned into leading the charge with exhibits and corporate support for Ruggles’ medical society clients. Her strong, personable relationships with industry are based on the mutual trust of long-term returning business.  Dana has a proven track record for selling out exhibit halls, and increasing revenue through advertising, sponsorship of meetings and industry symposia. Before joining the Ruggles team in 2008 (despite our being headquartered ‘north’ in the Mid-Atlantic), Dana worked in state government and the healthcare field. She is well known for lavishing attention on her two fur babies.

Before joining Ruggles in 2006, Julie was a Legal Administrative Assistant for a liability law firm, so she keeps us all in line. Julie has expertly worn many hats, serving concurrently as an Administrative Assistant for multiple associations, and now holds two roles: Corporate and Educational Support Coordinator and Membership and Operations Coordinator. Julie seeks to provide a seamless experience for our customers and focuses special attention on the details of each exhibition, sponsorship, and member.  She is actively involved with the Virginia Society of Association Executives and in her spare time watches her son play baseball, rides horses with her daughter, and runs.

Information Technology

Identified as technology-adept in the formative years, Daniel joined Ruggles in 1986 with 5¼” floppy discs in tow.  Fast-forward to find that Daniel has developed most of our web-based platforms and implemented extensive website development and programming. Ruggles’ customized membership database and the content management system for our Mobile Meeting Guides are both Daniel creations. He oversees the workflow within the Information Technology Solution Center as well as the security measures that protect our clients’ websites and web-based forms. Daniel’s online programs provide cost savings to our clients and streamlined member communications.

Chris joined Ruggles with nine years of experience as a Research Analyst and Project Manager following companies trading on the Canadian Stock Exchanges, New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ, foreign companies trading on the NYSE and the collection of financial information of companies trading on the London Stock exchange. Finding suits and neckties too restrictive, Chris now develops and maintains meeting registration forms and payment processing forms.  His accurate and expedient recording of payments plays a vital role within the Ruggles client support structure. Chris also creates SQL queries to assist colleagues with gathering data for internal and external reporting and provides member support.

With her fresh perspective and knowledge of current programming trends, Jansen designs, updates and improves the functionality and security of client websites and web-based forms. Her programming and design skills have resulted in numerous creative solutions to benefit the Ruggles team and our clients. In her spare time, Jansen enjoys hiking, being outdoors and slaying us at arcade games.

Wes has performed administration of Microsoft systems since 1995, and built PCs since 1997. He possesses degrees in both German and IT with a concentration in Cisco network administration, in addition to being CompTIA A+ certified. Fortunately, he is also the best at translating computer-speak into lay terms for the staff outside of the IT Solution Center.  He is responsible for website administration, programming and IT support as well as implementing security measures according to current standards and best practices so Ruggles clients can breathe easy.

Membership

As Director of Membership, Greg is your go-to guy for society growth, providing valuable support to committees and boards. He works closely with the Association Executives to leverage strategic member recruitment and retention initiatives that increase membership and dues revenue. He provides and monitors reports to ensure all metrics and goals are met. Greg oversees the membership invoicing process to ensure on time billing and collection of dues. For improved member communication, he develops and maintains mobile membership apps including seeking approval in the Apple App Store and Google Play. In the Aloha spirit, Greg provides member services and support at society annual conferences. In his spare time, Greg enjoys cycling and water sports.

Graphics

An award-winning writer, photographer and designer, Ray joined the team in July 2006. He designs and produces meeting materials, advertisements, newsletters, syllabi, web content and mobile apps. Prior to joining Ruggles, Ray spent almost 20 years in the newspaper industry. He had a leading role in the adoption and implementation of rapidly evolving digital publishing technologies for four organizations, adept at creating engaging and effective presentations for print and the web. His work has appeared in a variety of Virginia newspapers and their supplementary publications; local, state and national trade publications; local and regional magazines; and websites. He has executed substantial contract work for retail businesses, restaurants, colleges and universities, and government agencies.

Administration and Communications

Crystal joined Ruggles following eight years of experience in the medical field meticulously maintaining patient health records and serving as a medical transcriptionist. Medical professionals in volunteer leadership positions love Crystal’s easy and enthusiastic communication skills as she enjoys assisting members and directly supporting committees, board members and speakers. She tracks and reports CME credit for society members and works closely with residents and residency programs to ensure accurate reporting of training. She is an avid reader, especially history and fiction, and loves to spend time with her family and three dogs.

Liz’s smiling face is the first you see when you enter Ruggles headquarters. As Ruggles’ office administrator, she has been with the team for over thirty years, supporting nearly every department and playing an integral role in member services and general good spirits. Liz loves animals, and is very active with her church, especially visiting the homebound and those in the hospital. She spreads the love of Elvis everywhere she goes.

Jenny joined the Ruggles team brandishing impressive accomplishments during 20 fascinating years in the life insurance and event planning industries. Jenny provides support for Boards of Directors, committee members, speakers and society members. Jenny supports important society initiatives through electronic media and interaction with key stakeholders. Her attention to detail and organizational skills are vital for accurate reporting of member CME credit. She enjoys personal interaction with society members at the multiple yearly meetings. Jenny enjoys volunteering in the community at a local botanical garden, as well as sowing her seeds of cheer and positive outlook throughout her workday.

Angela is the pillar of support for several societies, masterfully juggling member assistance, society website updates, communications with meeting faculty, and annual meeting timelines.  Her societies also benefit from her skills at managing their abstract submission process. Her attention to detail, organizational skills and calm demeanor are assets to the Ruggles team, both in the office and onsite during annual meetings. Almost empty nesters, Angela and her husband currently live in central Virginia along with one of their four children and enjoys traveling for work and recreation.

Our team is ready to help you! Get in touch with us and we’ll figure out a strategy that’s right for you.