The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) is pleased to welcome Michael DiFrisco, CAE, an association leadership veteran, as the next Executive Director of the 40-year-old Academy. He takes the place of retiring Executive Director, Barbara Kachelski, CAE, MBA, who has led the AACD for the past ten years.

A Certified Association Executive, Mr. DiFrisco has spent nearly 11 years with the AACD first as Director of Membership & Marketing and then as Chief Marketing Officer. Prior to his tenure at AACD, he held marketing and publishing positions in two other large membership associations.

“We are fortunate to have Michael, as he already has an intimate knowledge of our Academy, its goals, and the direction in which it needs to be taken. The continuity that he will provide for the Academy and the professional staff is invaluable. [Former Executive Director] Barb Kachelski will be a tough act to follow, but Michael’s vision and experience will move us forward as an organization, and we are thrilled that he has taken this new position,” says AACD President Gregory Wright, DDS, FAACD.

“I am thrilled to be leading this amazing organization,” Mr. DiFrisco says. “We have a fantastic team of professional staff and a group of energetic and passionate leaders populating our boards and committees, and I’m looking forward to leading the team and advancing the mission of the AACD while focusing on member value and corporate culture.”

He will lead the executive office team and oversee the management and delivery of the AACD Annual Scientific Session, the premier esthetic dental conference, among many other duties. He will report to the Board of Directors.

Over the past decade, Mr. DiFrisco has spoken to audiences all over the world about dental branding and marketing, has been a frequent guest on dental podcasts, and often writes for industry publications. Anecdotally, his dad was a dentist in suburban Chicago, so he’s in familiar territory already.