Access Intelligence Promotes Heather Farley to CEO, Don Pazour Transitions to Executive Chairman
February 17, 2023
Access Intelligence (AI), a privately held B-to-B -to-b media, events and information company headquartered in Rockville, Md., has promoted Heather Farley from COO to CEO. She succeeds Don Pazour, who has served as CEO since 2000. He will transition to executive chairman. Farley will lead the company’s 200-plus employees, who provide solutions for a dozen key global market sectors.
“After 9 years as COO, I’m excited to succeed Don as CEO,” Farley told TSNN. “AI’s highly-talented team will focus on serving our communities through our world-class event and media brands, innovating to meet the changing demands of our customers.”
AI’s portfolio of media and events serves the marketing, media, esports, PR, cable, healthcare management, defense, energy, infrastructure, engineering, satellite and aviation markets.
The company produces a number of conferences and trade shows, including LeadsCon, AdMonsters OPS and Publisher Summits, AdExchanger’s Programmatic IO, Esports & Gaming Business Summit, Experiential Marketing Summit, SATELLITE Conference and Exhibition, OR Manager Conference, LDC Gas Forums, Clean Gulf, Experience POWER and The P3C Conference & Expo.
After beginning her career with IBM, Farley has spent nearly 30 years with AI and its predecessors, Phillips Publishing International and PBI Media, in a variety of leadership roles, most recently as AI’s COO for the last nine years. Farley led the integration of many AI acquisitions, including TradeFair Group, Red7 Media and Ad Exchanger. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO). Farley has also served on the boards of SIPA and SIIA, as well as chaired SISO’s Events Sustainability Committee.
In 2020, Farley served on the APEX COVID-19 Business Recovery Task Force. As part of the task force, she helped to develop standards to ensure the safety and wellness of attendees and protocols essential to reinforce attendee confidence in attending live business events.
Related: EVENTS INDUSTRY COUNCIL NAMES COVID-19 BUSINESS RECOVERY TASK FORCE MEMBERS by TSNN (May 2020)
“She navigated the company’s operating groups through the pandemic-related downturn to substantial financial success,” according to a press release announcing her CEO appointment.
“After working with Heather for 22 years, I have deep respect for her business acumen and operating skills,” Pazour said.
Jeffrey Stevenson, long-time owner of AI, added that he could think of no one better to succeed Pazour in leading AI to additional growth.
“Don has capably steered AI through two decades of success, developing a special culture of ownership and growth,” Stevenson said. “I am grateful to him for the years he served as CEO and looking forward to his continued involvement on our board.”
Prior to joining AI in 2000, Pazour worked at Miller Freeman for 23 years, serving as its CEO from 1997 to 2000. In 2019, he was honored with the Krakoff Award by SISO. Pazour served as vice chairman of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, chairman of American Business Media’s government relations committee, board member of American Business Media and past chairman and board member of the SISO.
Related: TRADE SHOW LEADER: ACCESS INTELLIGENCE'S DON PAZOUR by TSNN (March 2016)
In addition to its headquarters in Rockville, Md., AI has offices in New York, Houston Arlington, Va., and Norwalk, Conn.
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