COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Patrick Spear, president of the Global Market Development Center (GMDC), is slated to add the title of chief executive officer effective June 1.

Patrick Spear

Spear takes the CEO reins from Dave McConnell, who served as GMDC president and chief executive for 15 of his 35 years with the association. Plans call for McConnell to remain with GMDC as a consultant for special projects until the end of 2015.

GMDC said Wednesday that the move completes a management transition announced last October, when Spear was named as president of the association, which serves general merchandise, health, beauty and wellness retailers, wholesalers and suppliers.

A resident of Nashville, Tenn., Spear brings 25-plus years of experience in the consumer and office products industry to GMDC’s senior management team, including work with BIC, Newell Rubbermaid, Mapa Spontex and The Identity Group. His background includes positions ranging from retail sales representative at BIC Corp. to president and CEO of Identity Group and founding partner and managing director of Mammoth Office Products.

McConnell, an Ohio native, joined GMDC in 1980 and has served in a number of capacities, including roles in business development, meetings management, recruitment and, most recently, as CEO.

During its 45-year history, GMDC has had two other association leaders: executive director Robert Keats, who served four years, and president and CEO Rick Tilton, who served 26 years.