Ross will be voted on by the membership at the organization's Annual Conference and Trade Show this summer in New Orleans. If elected, Ross will assume the Association's presidency in 2005-2006.

"Being chosen as the nominee is first and foremost a tremendous honor that carries a lot of responsibility," said Ross, an IAAM member since 1985. "I admire each of the past presidents of IAAM and the leadership they provided. I am very grateful to Frank Poe and the Nominating Committee for the faith and trust they have placed in my ability to provide leadership to this great association of assembly managers."

Ross has directed the Show Me Center for the past 16 years and prior to that was the assistant director at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's arena for two and one-half years. He also worked for seven years in the North American Soccer League for teams in Washington, D.C., and Oakland and San Jose, Calif., before getting into facility management. Ross earned a bachelor of science degree in education from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and a master of science degree in sports administration from Ohio University.

"Having been on the board of directors five of the last seven years, I have observed senior officers handling the responsibilities of their respective offices," said Ross. "During the next two years, I will be watching Mike Kelly and Jimmy Earl very closely to see how they organize their time, communicate and the style in which they handle the various issues they encounter."

As second vice president, Ross will be responsible for planning the 79th Annual Conference & Trade Show to be held in Reno, Nev., next year.