Staff

Ryan Riesterer

General Counsel

Role/General Responsibilities
Government, Legal, Liaison with Other Associations & Coalitions

Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 678-393-9990

Bio

Ryan Riesterer is an accomplished trade association attorney with more than fifteen years’ experience delivering thoughtful and practical advice and counsel to associations across the country. He believes in a proactive approach to legal representation and focuses on implementing systems, structures, policies and procedures to help associations manage risk and stay in compliance with current and evolving laws and regulations.

Ryan has extensive experience and a deep understanding of the range of legal needs facing trade associations, including corporate governance, political engagement and compliance, contracts and business transactions, employment and tax matters, leadership transitions, member activity, subsidiary and affiliate relationships, antitrust, intellectual property and licensing, reputational risk management, data security and privacy, convention and trade show activities, and the management of outside counsel.

Prior to joining ECIA, Ryan served as General Counsel to the National Association of Mortgage Brokers and he has built and operated a successful private law practice for more than a decade.

Ryan achieved a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy and political science from Baldwin Wallace University and earned his J.D. from the College of William & Mary School of Law. Ryan is licensed to practice law in Ohio, Colorado and the District of Columbia. Ryan and his wife Meghan live in Northeast Ohio with their four children, where they enjoy golf, travel and spending time outdoors.

Don Elario

Vice President of Industry Practices

Role/General Responsibilities
Global Industry Practices Council

Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 775-772-4503

Bio
As the VP of Industry Practice, Don Elario is responsible for working with member companies to identify industry issues that require an industry response and then help the assigned committees and subject matter expert groups to identify best practices, establish industry guidelines and facilitate process improvements that support operational efficiencies in the supply chain.

His career spans 40 years in the industry. Initially he worked in manufacturing (semiconductors, military and aerospace products) and then moved to the distribution side for 30 years, spending 20 years with Arrow Electronics, Inc.. During his time, positions have taken him through purchasing, production, sales, product marketing, operations, logistics and quality arenas.

Some of Mr. Elario's key initiatives have been in warehouse consolidations and the development of large distribution centers; designing, building and implementing automated warehousing; developing an order quality process using “Perfect Order”; designing and leading the implementation of an enterprise global quality management system.

He has spent 20+ years on various ECIA councils and committees and eight years on the Board of Directors for a non-profit organization serving quality of life in Northern Nevada.

Mr. Elario is married to Ahriah and has four children and five grandchildren. He holds a Bachelor of Business Management degree from Northeastern University and studied with Dr. Edward Deming.

Edward F. Mikoski Jr, MBA, CStd, FSES

Vice President of Standards and Technology

Role/General Responsibilities
EIA Standards, International Standards

Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 571-323-0253

Bio
Ed Mikoski is Vice President of Standards and Technology at the Electronic Components Industry Association (ECIA) www.ecianow.org . In that role, he conducts, coordinates, and administers industry technical standards development programs for a dozen national committees of the association and administers thirteen U.S. Technical Advisory Groups to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for ECIA. Ed represents ECIA in an array of industry leadership and governance activities. Since 2000, he has led the standards activities in several organizations, including the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA), the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), and the Electronic Components Association (ECA). Prior to association management, Ed served more than 20 years in sales, distribution, applications engineering, marketing, and industry standards development roles within the electronics and communications industries.

Mr. Mikoski received his undergraduate degree in Physics from Clark University in Worcester, MA, his MBA from Averett University in Danville, VA, and is a Certified Standards Professional (CStd) and Fellow (FSES) granted by SES—The Society for Standards Professionals. A US Navy veteran, Ed served seven years as an officer and US Naval Aviator, including deployment in one of the first Navy LAMPS helicopter detachments to Vietnam.

Since 1985, Ed has participated in and held numerous committee leadership positions in trade associations and standards development organizations including Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA), Electronic Components Association (ECA), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (iNEMI), National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), US National Committee to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), SES – The Society for Standards Professionals, and served as Chairman of the EIA Engineering Department 1992 to 1995. He is the recipient of the EIA 1993 Engineering Award of Excellence and the 2013 ANSI Meritorious Service Award. 

 Mr. Mikoski presently serves as a board member of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI); Member of the ANSI Executive Committee; Chair of the ANSI Organizational Member Forum; Member of the US Celebration of World Standards Day Planning Committee; Council member of the US National Committee (USNC) to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and committee member to the USNC Conformity Assessment Policy Coordination Committee (CAPCC). 

Dale Ford

Chief Analyst

Role/General Responsibilities
Market Research

Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 310-502-8543

Bio
Dale Ford is a highly respected industry analyst with extensive experience producing award winning market research. He brings expertise in technology trends, competitive analysis, forecasting and supply/demand research of the electronics, semiconductor and electronics components industries. Mr. Ford has been researching the electronics and electronics components industries for over 25 years. His focused research delivers enhanced visibility on the products, technologies, and players shaping the electronics value chain.

At IHS, Ford directed and managed teams of thought leaders and analysts to demonstrate IHS Technology’s strengths. Previously, he managed the research teams at IHS responsible for coverage of the electronics, semiconductor and electronics components industry. In addition, Ford has led market research activities on the wireless communications market.

Mr. Ford was one of the founders of iSuppli’s market research and led its electronics and semiconductor research as Senior Vice President until its acquisition by IHS. Previously, he was chief analyst and director for Dataquest/Gartner Group, where he led a team that delivered market research in seven syndicated services covering semiconductor applications, supply and pricing, and detailed equipment analysis

Ford earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering with honors from Brigham Young University and a Master of Business Administration from The Wharton School. Dale and his wife, Beth, are the proud parents of three daughters and live in Northern California.

Stephanie Tierney

Director of Marketing Communications and Member Engagement

Role/General Responsibilities
Member Engagement, Marketing and Communications, Executive Conference

Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 815-931-9095

Bio
Stephanie Tierney has been in the tech industry for over 17 years with 9 years of association and membership engagement experience specifically in the electronics component industry.

Ms. Tierney’s background is in public relations and marketing. She graduated from Illinois State University (ISU) in 2006 with a degree in Public Relations. Ms. Tierney also holds a double minor in Communications and Business Administration from ISU.

She began her career in marketing for a wire and cable distributor. From there, she gained many years of marketing experience taking on various promotional projects for organizations in lighting, technology and media publications. Stephanie also previously worked for the Electronics Representatives Association (ERA) as well as a professional association management firm prior to joining ECIA.

In addition to her marketing background, Ms. Tierney’s experience includes member relations, program management, sponsorship outreach, training events and media platforms such as social media and podcasting.

Ms. Tierney joined ECIA in August of 2021 as the Director of Marketing Communications and Member Engagement. She and her husband live in Plainfield, IL with their three children.

Donna Valore

Director of Administration

Role/General Responsibilities
Accounting and Systems Support

Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 678-393-9990

Bio
Donna Valore is a Georgia native and joined ECIA/NEDA in August of 2000 as the Member Relations Coordinator and has served as Director of Administration since September 2016. She assumed the accounting functions as well as manages the ECIA website and back office systems. Prior to this she held the position Director of Member Communications and Systems Support.

Ms. Valore previously worked with LOMA, a trade association of Life and Health Insurance Companies, as an administrative assistant and became their membership relations coordinator for a period of seven years. Prior to joining NEDA, she was a full-time Mom and enjoyed time with her children for a few years. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from Kennesaw State University.  She also enjoys spending time and traveling with family and her dogs, Jeb and Lola.

Laura Donohoe, AStd

Manager of Standards and Technology

Role/General Responsibilities
EIA Standards Administration

Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 571-323-0294

Bio
Laura Donohoe is the Manager of Standards and Technology and Assistant US TAG Administrator for 13 ECIA-managed TAGs and received her AStd certification from the Society for Standards Professionals (SES) in 2018. She is a member of both SES—The Society for Standards Professionals and Women in Standards.

Ms. Donohoe joined ECIA in 2012 after 20 years at a leading publisher of reference and research materials. She is a graduate of the College of William & Mary and holds an MSLS from the Catholic University of America.