July 27, 2009 — National Restaurant Association President and CEO Dawn Sweeney has been named one of CEO Update magazine’s Top CEOs. The magazine covers association and non-profit careers and leaders.

The publication consulted CEOs and executive recruiters and relied on its own expertise to identify the leaders. They evaluated the nominees’ legislative success, leadership ability, skill in raising a group’s profile or managing a crisis, history of building coalitions and reaching consensus, and membership excellence in areas meetings, education and certification.

The publication specifically mentioned Sweeney's work in “molding a strategic advocacy team well positioned to target the issues of food safety, immigration and card check legislation.”

“There are tens of thousands of associations," the publication states. "Even with a fraction being major players nationally, it’s easy to see how difficult it is to determine just a handful of top leaders … We hope this list will spark discussion of the best association leadership practices.”

Sweeney took the helm of the National Restaurant Association nearly two years. Previously, she was president and CEO of AARP Services, the wholly owned taxable subsidiary of AARP. She was responsible for generating more than $700 million in annual revenue to support AARP’s mission. Sweeney has more than 25 years of leadership experience in marketing, advocacy and policy.

The publication surveyed hundreds of CEO. Those chosen represent good work and sound leadership in the association community, according to the publication.

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