Executive Change: ACA International Promotes Mark Schiffman to VP, Public Affairs

ACA International has announced the promotion of Mark Schiffman to the position of vice president of public affairs. In his expanded role, he will continue to help lead ACA’s advocacy for association members and the ARM industry in the media, with public policymakers and other industry stakeholders.

Since joining ACA in 2010, Mark has been actively involved in telling the story of our industry to the press on a daily basis and has led ACA and state unit media relations. Additionally, he has been actively involved with ACA federal and state government affairs, including building grassroots and leading our state efforts during our recent transition; helped lead the creation and launch of ACA’s Blueprint for Modernizing Debt Collection, as well as its integration into public affairs outreach; led the creation, analysis and communication of the Ernst and Young Economic Impact survey; and has managed the ACA International Education Foundation.

Schiffman brings more than 20 years of experience in the creation, implementation and management of effective communication and public affairs strategies.  Before joining ACA, he spent 14 years providing strategic communications counsel to clients at Himle Horner, a leading Midwest public relations/public affairs firm, on behalf of trade associations, businesses, nonprofits, and local, regional and state government.

He is an active community leader, former mayor, and gubernatorial appointee to Minnesota’s Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee.  Schiffman teaches politics and public affairs for both the University of Phoenix (Minneapolis/St. Paul Campus) and Hamline University School of Business (St. Paul – teach in Graduate Public Administration).

Schiffman earned a B.A. in Political Science (minors: Journalism and International Relations) at the University of Minnesota-Duluth; a certificate in Public Affairs from the University of St. Thomas Graduate School of Business (St. Paul) and a M.A. in Public Administration from Hamline University.