When AFS Director of Finance and Accounting Kris Drager retires this summer, it will mark the end of nearly 40 years of work for the society.
Drager, currently the longest-serving employee at AFS, began her career in April of 1979 as an accounts payable clerk, working her way up to director of finance in 2006. Although she works in accounting, her role at AFS has always included contributing to CastExpo and Metalcasting Congress, from assisting with registration to becoming exhibit coordinator for the annual event in 2006. In 2013, she was named CastExpo/Metalcasting Congress exhibits director, a position she held along with her finance duties through the 2017 Metalcasting Congress in Milwaukee. Drager has also worked on AFS’ participation in three GIFA/NEWCAST events in Germany and one FundiExpo in Mexico.
“I am so fortunate to have been given all the opportunities, challenges and successes that make for a very fulfilling career all while staying at one organization. I could not have hoped for more professionally or personally,” said Drager, who will retire on June 30. “AFS is an outstanding organization with so many incredible people I have had the pleasure to work with, and it’s those relationships which I will miss the most.”
Taking over as director of accounting and finance is Peggy Mennella, a longtime certified public accountant who began her career at AFS in May. She has a wealth of nonprofit association experience, most recently at the American Academy of Pediatrics, where she was accounting manager.
“I like the associations because they’re visionary,” said Mennella, who is a member of several accounting associations herself. “I use them as my go-to as a professional, so I appreciate what it is to have a place to go to for knowledge and information.”