Zacharias Announces Retirement Plans

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (June 28, 2022)—The Board of Certification/Accreditation’s (BOC) President & CEO, Claudia Zacharias, MBA, CAE, recently announced she plans to retire at the end of 2022.

“It is an honor to conclude my professional career as BOC’s CEO,” said Zacharias. “I’m electing to retire in December, which aligns with my personal retirement goal timeline and enables a deliberate, thoughtful and disciplined transition for BOC. I am confident of the organization’s continued success as I embark on my next life chapter.”

During Zacharias’s tenure, BOC’s revenue grew consistently and sustainably. Facility accreditations increased by an average of 30% each year, and BOC’s certification program successfully transitioned from a cost center to a profit center.

As BOC’s credentialing accomplishments grew under her guidance, Zacharias also spearheaded new service additions while nurturing BOC’s customer service model. This growth included adding Pharmacy Accreditation in 2013, and, in the same year, creating the Certified Durable Medical Equipment (CDME) Specialist certification, which now recognizes professionals working in 40 states and Bermuda. While refreshing internal processes and engaging BOC’s customers to provide valuable feedback, Zacharias cultivated a culture of excellence in customer service that earned the organization more than a dozen awards.

“Claudia announced her retirement decision to the board of directors earlier this year, giving us plenty of time to prepare for her departure,” said BOC Board Chair Wayne Rosen, BOCP, BOCO, LPO, CDME, FAAOP. “I’ve worked with Claudia during the majority of her time at BOC, and her passion and dedication to the organization is remarkable. She is leaving a legacy of financial stability and disciplined investments, and a capable team to facilitate a seamless transition process and to continue our growth trajectory for years to come.”

Zacharias’s leadership recognition includes awards from the National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics (NAAOP) for BOC’s contributions to the orthotics and prosthetics field, The Daily Record’s “Most Admired CEO” and the Commonwealth Institute of South Florida’s “Top 50 Women-Led Business Leader” award.

She served two terms (2012–2018) on the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE) board of directors, including two years as board chair, and served two terms on the American Society of Association Executives’ (ASAE) Certified Association Executive (CAE) commission (2018–2020). She continues to maintain a CAE designation, which she earned in 2008. 

Zacharias leaves the organization in secure financial standing with supplemental resources and systems the Board and staff can continue to use under new leadership. BOC plans to announce Zacharias’s successor later this year.

For more information about BOC and its leadership team, visit bocusa.org.