NEW YORK, NY.- The Art Dealers Association of America announced the appointment of Adam Sheffer, Partner at Cheim & Read, as the organization’s new President. Officially chosen at the organization’s Annual Meeting yesterday, Sheffer’s appointment is effective today. Vice President of the ADAA since 2013 and Chairman of the ADAA-organized Art Show since 2009, Sheffer will oversee the nation’s leading nonprofit organization of art dealers, which encompasses 180 members from 25 cities in the U.S., representing hundreds of established and emerging artists internationally.

Sheffer will succeed Dorsey Waxter, Partner at Van Doren Waxter, who has served as ADAA’s President since 2012. Under Waxter’s leadership, the ADAA revamped its online presence, relaunching its website to better showcase the backgrounds and offerings of member dealers and launching new social media platforms; initiated a comprehensive, organizational advertising campaign; and created new members-only educational programs, including a series of legal seminars on subjects ranging from contracts to copyright law.

“Adam’s service to the ADAA and his leadership in the field has been exemplary,” noted Linda Blumberg, ADAA’s Executive Director. “As Chairman of The Art Show, Adam has been an especially important force in shaping the high standard of artistic quality and connoisseurship that distinguishes our fair each year. And through his renowned leadership of Cheim & Read’s rigorous and dynamic program, Adam commands a great deal of respect from his colleagues, making him an ideal successor to Dorsey Waxter’s terrific work. While all of us at the ADAA will miss Dorsey’s dedication, generosity, and thoughtfulness, we look forward to working hand-in-hand with Adam to continue to lead our organization into the future.”

“It has been an outstanding privilege to serve as ADAA’s President to advance the collective work of dealers and support our critical role in the art world,” said Dorsey Waxter. “Having worked closely with Adam for well over the past ten years, I have seen firsthand his incredible vision and passion for advancing the work of our members, and I look forward to his leadership over the coming years.”

Adam Sheffer added, “I am honored to serve as ADAA’s new President. The association represents a community of dealers committed to the highest ethical standards and practices within our profession. Through their nurturing of artistic talent, contributions to scholarship and collection-building, and presentation of dynamic art experiences, our dealers play a critical role in our cultural landscape. I look forward to building on Dorsey Waxter’s accomplishments and working with my talented peers to support our dealers’ vital contributions to the art world.”

Adam Sheffer brings 25 years of experience in the art world to his new role, having served in ADAA’s leadership since 2005. As Partner and Sales Director at Cheim & Read since 2003, Sheffer has expanded the gallery’s scope of representation, adding artists such as Ghada Amer, Chantal Joffe, Tal R, and Sean Scully. Since 2009, Sheffer has been a member of the ADAA Board of Directors and Chair of The Art Show, the nation’s most respected and longest running art fair, organized annually by the ADAA in New York City; and he was appointed ADAA’s Vice President in 2013. For the past 10 years, he has also served on various ADAA committees, including the Executive Committee (2013–Present), the Strategic Planning Committee (2011–Present), and the Public Relations Committee (2005–2009).

Prior to Cheim & Read, Sheffer was a Director for three ADAA members, Robert Miller Gallery, Danese Gallery, and Mary Boone Gallery, where he began his career as an assistant to Mary Boone in 1994. He is currently Associate Producer for “Lady Painter,” a film based on the novel by Patricia Albers about the art and life of Joan Mitchell, and is co-editor of the book, “Alice Neel: Paintings from the Thirties.” In 2014, Sheffer was named a benefactor of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, where he first encountered art during his childhood in Boston.

In addition to the appointment of Sheffer as the new President, the Board of Directors has appointed nine new Directors: Frances Beatty (Richard L. Feigen & Co.), Valerie Carberry (Richard Gray Gallery), Susan Dunne (Pace Gallery), Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn (Salon 94), Fredericka Hunter (Texas Gallery), Bo Joseph (Allan Stone Projects), Barbara Krakow (Barbara Krakow Gallery), Barbara Mathes (Barbara Mathes Gallery), and Anthony Meier (Anthony Meier Fine Arts). All newly-elected Directors will serve a three year term commencing on September 25, 2015.