COSLA Selects Jeremy Johannesen as New Executive Director

From the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies:

The Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) is pleased to announce that Jeremy Johannesen, CAE, has been selected as the Executive Director of the organization. Johannesen was chosen from a search that began in June of 2021, in partnership with their association management firm, AMR Management Services, following the amicable departure of COSLA’s first Executive Director, Timothy Cherubini.

“The recruitment effort drew a significant number of highly qualified applicants and the AMR and COSLA leadership team worked to make the best selection for the organization’s future. When the board met with candidates, Jeremy’s energy, creativity and leadership shown through,” said Jennie Stapp, COSLA President. “I look forward to the opportunities that Jeremy will bring to COSLA.”

With over fifteen years in association management, Johannesen has made a career of bringing people together and facilitating the advancement of their strategic goals. Serving as the Executive Director of the New York Library Association (NYLA) from 2012 – 2021, Johannesen built on an earlier stint as Deputy Director. Between roles at NYLA, he led the NYS Alliance for Arts Education. He holds his BS in Arts Education from the College of Saint Rose and is recognized as a Certified Association Executive (CAE) by the American Society of Association Executives. When not working for libraries, Jeremy volunteers for them, serving as the President of his hometown Friends of Bethlehem (NY) Public Library.

“I am elated and grateful for this opportunity to continue to advocate for libraries – now at the national level,” Johannsen said. “Together with the members, Council, and staff at NYLA we have accomplished so much in the past nine years, and I look forward to bringing those experiences forward to advance COSLA’s goals.”

Johannesen will begin his new leadership role with COSLA effective September 8, 2021.

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