Farewell Reception for Walter Abernathy

NANA will mark Walter Abernathy's retirement as Chief Executive Officer with an evening reception at the NANA National Conference Center. Walter announced his retirement, effective June 30, 2028, in June 2026, closing an 11-year tenure as CEO that began in 2017 after he ran a regional trade association for a decade. His successor has been named through the board's Search Committee process, chaired by Vice Chair Dominic Ferrante, and the two have shared an overlap period since April 2028.

NANA members, board members, staff, and past board chairs are all welcome. RSVP is requested but there is no fee, and registrants may bring one guest.

An evening of remarks and tributes marking Walter's tenure, opening with welcome remarks from board member Margaret Oyelaran, followed by a tribute segment where colleagues and board members share memories from across his time as CEO. Walter closes the formal program with his own remarks before the reception moves to an informal toast.

The reception is held at the NANA National Conference Center, ten minutes from Reagan National (DCA) via Metro. Business or business-casual attire is suggested, and light refreshments will be served throughout the evening. Parking is available on-site, and members arriving by Metro should use the Association Blvd entrance. There is no formal program after the toast; guests are welcome to stay and continue conversation in the atrium until the venue closes at 8:00 p.m. A guestbook and a printed timeline of Walter's tenure will be on display near the entrance for guests to sign and browse before the program begins, and both will remain on file at NANA headquarters afterward.