President // NAFTZ

jtafel@naftz.org
202-331-1950 x226

Jeffrey J. Tafel, CAE, is the President of NAFTZ. He is a member and mission-focused non-profit professional with nearly 30 years of association senior management experience and specializes in developing and executing strategy.

Previously, Jeff served as the CEO of the Home Builders Association of Western Michigan where he worked closely with the Board of Directors and oversaw the entire organization, it’s programs and initiatives. Serving Kalamazoo and the six surrounding counties (including the cities of Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Three Rivers, Coldwater, Albion, Hastings, South Haven and Allegan), the HBA serves and represents the entire residential construction and remodeling community.

Prior to HBA, Jeff served as the Executive Director of the IFMA (International Facility Management Association) Foundation where he led the organization out of near extinction to become a relevant, self-sustaining entity.  He was responsible for creation of the IFMA Foundation’s Global Workforce Initiative to encourage Facility Management as a career of choice. He also served the members of IFMA as director of membership and councils where he worked with the more than 130 chapters and special interest groups of IFMA around the world helping local volunteer boards to implement successful strategic plans and best practices to increase member value.

In his volunteer life, he’s served on the board of directors of the Association Foundation Group, the Texas Society of Association Executives, Houston Society of Association Executives and was an active volunteer for the Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives. He holds the Certified Association Executive credential from the American Society of Association Executives and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Michigan Technological University.  In other words, he’s an association geek.

He is married with three sons living in Portage, MI, enjoys time with family and their 3 dogs, is an avid road and mountain bicyclist and self-proclaimed ‘foodie’.