RICHMOND, Va. – (September 20, 2018) – After a six-month search to identify a visionary and collaborative voice as its next leader, the Virginia Dental Association (VDA) is proud to announce Ryan Dunn as its incoming executive director.  Dunn will take over the post for retiring Dr. Terry Dickinson, who is responsible for transforming the organization over the last 19 years.  Dunn was approved by the association’s Board of Directors on Wednesday, September 19 and will be formally introduced to members at the organization’s annual business meeting on Friday.

“The VDA has been extremely privileged to be guided by a kind, creative and innovative leader like Terry – it’s a legacy we’re poised to build upon with our selection of Ryan,” said Dr. Benita Miller, President of the Virginia Dental Association and co-chair of the search committee.  “They’re large shoes to fill, but the committee felt that Ryan’s collaborative management style, big-picture thinking, community-building experience and sheer force of energy not only meets our current organizational needs, but also builds a logical path to where we want to be in another 20 years.”  

Prior to accepting this role, Dunn served as the Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Vice President for Corporate and Government Affairs, where he was responsible for policy development and lobbying efforts; strategy and execution for membership engagement; and strategic planning.  He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and completed UVA’s Sorensen Institute in 2012 and is a member of the 2016 Lead Virginia class.

Nonprofit executive search firm Kittleman and Associates led the search for the new executive director.  More than 40 candidates – both from inside and outside the dental industry – applied for the position.  Dunn was selected after an exhaustive screening process, including multiple face-to-face meetings and a strategic planning exercise with the Kittleman team and search committee. 

“I am honored and excited to lead an organization as well-respected and influential as the Virginia Dental Association,” Dunn said.  “Over the next few years, I plan to build off of the organization’s successes with bold strategies to ensure the VDA is serving its members as an advocate and defender of the dental profession.  We will continue to be the leading resource for dentists, pursuing new benefits and services that ensure our shared success, while expanding oral healthcare across the Commonwealth.”