The Professional Convention Management Association has named Arlis Whalum, CPA, as its chief financial officer. Whalum was most recently the director of finance for the American Planning Association, a national organization for community planners with more than 40,000 members. She worked for the APA for 17 years, and has Big 4 CPA and Fortune 500 experience as well. Whalum will play a key role in PCMA's strategic planning and will be responsible for translating big-picture initiatives into workable systems, according to the organization. "Arlis is a tremendous addition to the PCMA executive team," said PCMA president and CEO Deborah Sexton in a statement. "She has a proven track record with talents spanning from financial management to organizational efficiencies and process improvements. I have no doubt that she will make an immediate positive impact on our organizational practices."