Ronald S. Moen, executive director of the AAO from 1989-2001, passed away on May 12 at the age of 85.

“Many AAO members and leaders and a few long-time AAO staff have fond memories of Ron Moen, and we want to offer our condolences to his family,” said AAO CEO Trey Lawrence. “Ron’s leadership was instrumental in the AAO’s 1991 move to our current headquarters building and in the early development of many programs and services that benefit today’s members. These include the AAO Insurance Company, the AAO Foundation and the AAO Political Action Committee.”

Mr. Moen initiated the AAO Council on Technology (now CTECH, the Committee on Technology) and the New and Younger Member Advisory Committee (now the Council on New and Younger Members). He worked with Annual Session Planning Committee members to expand the scope of the meeting and collaborated with educators to identify solutions for faculty recruitment and retention.

In 1995, Mr. Moen supported AAO leaders planning to initiate the World Federation of Orthodontists (WFO) during the Annual Session in San Francisco, with 69 organizations from 62 countries signing the original WFO charter. Mr. Moen then became the WFO’s secretary general, a position in which he served for five years.

Educated as a psychologist, Mr. Moen entered the association sector as founding CEO of the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. He submitted his resignation from the AAO in 2001 to accept a position as CEO of the American Dietetic Association.

Recipient of many professional awards, including the James E. Brophy AAO Distinguished Service Award (2000), the AAO’s highest honor, Mr. Moen held leadership positions with the American Society of Association Executives and the Association Forum.

Mr. Moen is survived by his wife, Jan, two adult sons and three grandchildren. Click here to learn more about his life and funeral arrangements.