Call for Nominations: AO Spine NA Board Chair

IMPORTANT AND TIME SENSITIVE

 

My term will conclude on June 30, 2026 as Chair of the AO Spine NA Board. The voting members of the AO Spine NA Clinical Division must identify a Board Chair-Elect, whose term shall begin on July 1, 2025, and conclude on June 30, 2026, and then shall become the AO Spine NA Board Chair from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029.

 

In April, the AO Spine NA Board sought candidates to fill three member-at-large positions on the AO Spine NA Nominating Committee (AO SNA NomCom). In April, the AO Spine NA Board selected Dr. Michael Fehlings, Dr. Rani Nasser, and Dr. Sakthi Rajaram as the three members-at-large. They join Dr. James Stannard and me as this year’s AO SNA NomCom.

 

On May 8, 2025, the AO SNA NomCom met to review the position description for the AO SNA Board Chair, the election process, and the associated timeline. We agreed to initiate the process, as outlined in AO NA’s Amended and Restated Election Procedures, through this notice.

 

We are seeking nominations for the AO SNA Board Chair. If you would like to nominate yourself or another individual who meets the candidate qualifications, please ensure you submit the name and brief rationale for nominations via email to aosna@aona.org. The AO SNA NomCom will accept nominations through Monday, May 26, 2025 at 8 AM ET. We encourage and would appreciate your participation in the nomination process.

 

Below are the position’s responsibilities, requirements, and time commitments:

 

Responsibilities:

North America

  • The chairperson is a member of the Executive Council of AO NA and is accountable to the AO NA Board of Directors

    • All functions, budgets, and activities within the AO Spine NA region

  • As a member of the AO NA Executive Council along with the chairs of the other AO NA clinical divisions will assist the President of AO NA in achieving AO NA’s goals and mission

  • To build an AO Spine NA Board team following AO Spine NA guidelines to administer in the region

    • The creation, assignment, and review of board members’ tasks

    • Counsel, mentor and/or remove board members who are disruptive to the organization

  • To assemble and conduct efficient and effective AO Spine NA board meetings

    • Approval of agenda, documentation, and AO Spine NA board meeting minutes

  • To oversee the content of all AO Spine NA educational programs

    • Ensure the avoidance of bias in faculty selection and rotation

    • Ensure compliance of AO Spine educational activities with the binding AO Foundation rules, regulations, contractual obligations, and statutory rules within AO Foundation and North America

  • To ensure timely, fair, and transparent succession planning within AO Spine NA entities:

    • Democratic elections for the chair position and that of the AO NA Board and AO Spine NA Committee Chairs and members

  • To supervise the implementation of AO Spine NA resolutions, actions, and budget expenditures

  • To present and represent the interests of AO Spine in the AO NA, vis-à-vis third parties and the public

  • Willingness to attend advanced faculty education such as the Leadership Education Program (LEP)

  • To ensure collaboration and cooperation with local AO bodies and approved industry partners

  • To identify ways to attract additional funding to the region beyond AO Spine International disbursements

  • To manage partnerships and alliances within the region

  • To introduce innovative programs and services to attract expansion, diversity, and satisfaction of members

 

International

  • The chairperson is accountable to AO Spine International (AO SI) Board

    • All functions, budgets, and activities within the AO Spine NA region

  • To present and represent the interests of AO Spine NA on the AO SI Board

    • Supervise the implementation of AO Spine International Board resolutions and actions within the North American region

  • To ensure the AO Spine brand is correctly presented on all materials and at relevant events

    • Consistent brand presentation on products and all materials - ensure primary locations events

  •  To comply with the AO Code of Ethics and Shared Values

 

Requirements:

Eligibility

  • Current or past AO Spine NA board members and current or past committee members

  • Exceptional candidates with a demonstrated commitment to AO Spine NA activities

  • AO Spine member in good standing

  • Candidates may serve only one term in this role

 

Preferred Criteria

  • Spine AO surgeon in active practice

    • > 70% of practice is spine surgery

  • Senior AO faculty member, defined as faculty at ten or more AO NA or AO Foundation courses (industry or ORP courses do not qualify)

  • Advanced Educational Training desirable, such as the Faculty Education Program (FEP) and the Chair Education Program (CEP)

  •  A recognized interest and proven ability in AO education (criteria are at the discretion of the AO Spine NA NomCom)

  • Well published in high quality academic journals and/or author/co-author of textbook(s)

 

Time Commitment

  • Willing and prepared to commit to significant regional and global travel to represent the interests of all members of AO Spine North America (approximately 10 regional/global trips a year)

  • The AO NA Executive Council meets approximately 10 times per year via conference call

 

General

  •  Good/clear communicator, proven ability to work in multi-cultural environments with the skills needed to delegate tasks

  • Teambuilder - can set direction and promote and support teamwork to achieve goals

  • DEI champion

  • Highly motivated to build and manage programs for all member groups

  • Good networker – international links to societies and teams

  • Education - recognized as an outstanding educator, highly motivated to build, manage, and maintain educational programs; holds or held a faculty and chair position of AO NA educational activities.

 

The AO SNA NomCom is dedicated to ensuring an inclusive and transparent selection process. Upon AO membership verification, nominated individuals will be contacted to submit a one-page Letter of Intent, a summary of their AO contributions, and a CV. Nominated individuals will have seven days to provide this information after receiving the request. The AO SNA NomCom will then verify the information and submit a list of vetted candidates to the AO Spine NA Board for consideration and approval. Following this, the AO SNA NomCom will create an electronic ballot, which will be sent to each eligible AO SNA member for voting. The elected candidate must receive more than 50% of the votes cast. If no candidate achieves this threshold, the AO SNA NomCom will conduct runoff elections until a candidate receives more than 50% of the votes.

 

If you have any questions, please contact aosna@aona.org or you can reach out to me directly.

 

Eric Klineberg, MD, MS, FAAOS
Chair, AO SNA