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AUECO is a volunteer-managed association of export compliance professionals led by an Executive Board elected annually by the membership. The members of the Executive Board serve as the principle contacts for various efforts of the Association. The information below about the 2026/2027 AUECO Executive Board team is provided to strengthen engagement between AUECO members and the Executive Board. Members are encouraged to contact any member of the Executive Board with questions about AUECO or the role of the Executive Board in the management of the Association.

The Board members below can be reached collectively at: board@aueco.org

2026/2027 AUECO Executive Board


Chair: Darlene Pennington-Johnson


Vice-Chair: William Bucha



Darlene Pennington-Johnson works for the University of Michigan as the Export Control Officer and Associate Director, Export Control Program. She holds a master’s degree in Anthropology specializing in Business, Organizational, and Cultural Anthropology from Wayne State University. She has worked for over a decade in academic settings as a subject matter expert in regulatory trade compliance and export controls while supporting diversified and complex global research activities currently across three campuses. Darlene's prior life as a Paralegal in corporations and law firms in Michigan, Atlanta, and West Virginia’s Attorney General Office provides her with diversified experience with over 35 years as a paralegal and over 15 years as an Export Compliance Professional. 


William Bucha Jr. currently oversees Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK)’s institutional Export Compliance Program, as well as overseeing the Contracts Team in MSK’s Grants & Contracts office. Since joining AUECO in 2020, William has chaired or co-chaired AUECO’s Program Committee, Bylaws Committee, Conference Planning Committee, as well as served as a member on the Subcommittee for Emeritus Membership and various comment letter committees. William is a licensed attorney in both New York and North Carolina, as well as being certified as an EAR/ITAR ECoP by ECTI.

Secretary: Elan Mitchell-Gee


Treasurer: Nick Komich



Dr. Elan Mitchell Gee is the Director of Export Control and Research Security at Drexel University. She holds a PhD in Political Science from Howard University, with concentrations in International Relations, Public Policy, and Public Administration. Throughout her career, she has served in key roles at NASA, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security, and other federal agencies, bringing deep expertise in regulatory compliance and national security frameworks. Dr. Mitchell-Gee is passionate about advancing academic research while ensuring institutions successfully navigate complex regulatory environments. She is committed to strengthening AUECO’s mission, promoting advocacy within the export control community, and fostering collaboration across institutions. Known for her organizational skills, attention to detail, and collaborative leadership, she remains dedicated to helping guide the organization’s continued progress.


Nick Kocmich has been a member of AUECO since 2020, was on the 2025 conference planning committee, and was a speaker at the 2025 conference beginner’s workshop. He is currently the export control officer at the Oregon Health and Science University and previously served as the export control coordinator at the University of Nebraska Medical Center from 2020-2024.

Membership Chair: Mark Hubbard


Program Chair: Elizabeth Kane



Mark Hubbard is the Assistant Vice President for Research Integrity and Compliance at Colorado State University. He oversees a broad portfolio of interrelated compliance areas some of which include export controls, research integrity, and conflict of interest and commitment. Prior to his position at Colorado State University, Mark held leadership roles in college administration at the University of Wisconsin–Madison (Assistant Dean for Research) and Washington State University (Sr. Manager, Research Advancement). He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and a Ph.D. in cellular and molecular biology, both from the University of Nevada–Reno, and certifications in research administration (CRA®) and export controls (ECoP® ITAR/EAR). Mark’s first introduction to export controls occurred during his doctoral work where he investigated antibody responses to the extracellular capsule of Bacillus anthracis.


Liz Kane has served as Johns Hopkins University’s Export Control Officer since 2022, where her work focuses on institutional compliance with US export control laws and sanctions regulations. Liz was an original member of the eXport Essentials group and has served as its leader since 2024. Prior to her time in export controls, Liz worked as a products liability and mass torts litigation attorney.

Communications Chair: Vacant


Development Chair: Christos Linardakis





Christos Linardakis is an attorney by trade. He has held positions as an Associate General Counsel, Corporate Compliance Officer, Global Trade Compliance, and other roles for Fortune 100 & 500 companies, along with private companies. During his career, he has established global corporate compliance programs for U.S., E.U. and Asian trade laws, as well as compliance programs in Foreign Corrupt Practices and Antibribery and Corruption. He currently serves as the InfraGard National SME for ITAR for the Defense Industrial Base Sector.

Past Chair: Susan Gasparo



Susan Gasparo is the Director of Research Security at Stony Brook University, overseeing research security, export controls, conflict of interest/commitment and international activities. She has worked in research administration for over twenty years, with additional experience in sponsored programs, research compliance, and intellectual property. Susan is responsible for team building across multiple campus areas (both administrative and faculty) to implement campus policies, processes, training, and guidance for a comprehensive research security program.


A special thanks to our prior Boards for all of their efforts and support!

2023/2024 Executive Board

2022/2023 Executive Board


Executive Board - Duties and Responsibilities

Chair: The Chair is the executive head of AUECO and is primarily responsible for all Executive Board Meetings and Meetings of the Members in accordance with the processes and procedures enumerated in the Bylaws or in adopted AUECO policy.  The Chair serves as the official spokesperson for the Executive Board and for AUECO, unless otherwise enumerated, or delegated, to another member of the Executive Board.  The Chair carries out other such responsibilities as are usually required by the Chair’s office or as may be delegated to the Chair by the Executive Board.  The Chair shall be the Past Chair the year directly following the year of Chair.

Vice-Chair: The Vice-Chair assists the Chair and assume the duties of the Chair in their absence. The Vice-Chair assumes the office of the Chair when the incumbent Chair’s term expires. In the event of the Chair’s inability to serve, the Vice-Chair shall assume the Chair position for the balance of any unexpired term.

Immediate Past Chair: The immediate Past Chair serves in a non-voting, ex-officio advisory capacity to the Executive Board. The immediate Past Chair provides a vote in cases of tie votes between the non ex-officio members of the Executive Board and serves in such capacities as reasonably designated by the Executive Board. 

Secretary: The Secretary ensures the scheduling and taking of minutes at all Meetings of the Executive Board and Meetings of the Members.  In collaboration with the Executive Board, the Secretary applies policies or procedures during Meetings as designated within these Bylaws or adopted via Executive Board policy.  The Secretary distributes meeting minutes to the Executive Board within a reasonable time after a meeting and ensures the proper administration of elections, and any other Membership Votes as designated within the Bylaws.  The Secretary maintains all official records, policies, and the Bylaws.

Treasurer: The Treasurer oversees the collection of dues, fees, and all other revenues, and to disburse payments reasonably within the budget approved by the Executive Board. The Treasurer maintains accurate and current books of account of the Association and manages any bank accounts of the Association. The Treasurer prepares an annual budget for the coming year for review and approval by the Executive Board and General Membership prior to the start of the fiscal year, and provides a report of the financial status of the Association at the annual meeting. The Treasurer makes financial information available to the Executive Board upon request and leads the Finance Committee of the Association.

Membership Chair: The Membership Chair maintains the membership roster and distributing updates to the members as appropriate. The Membership Chair works with the IT Committee to ensure that any members list, including but not limited to listservs and website directories, are accurate and up to date. The Membership Chair leads the Membership Committee and is responsible for reviewing and approving membership applications, in coordination with the committee.  

Program Chair: The Program Chair develops training and resources for the Association. Training and development includes, but is not limited to, webinars, round tables, government presentations, and online resources. The Program Chair, or their designee, serves as the Chair of the Conference Committee and the Program Committee.

Communications Chair: In collaboration with the Executive Board and relevant Committees, the Communications Chair manages and coordinates all internal and external communications on behalf of AUECO. This includes, but is not limited to, newsletters, websites, social media, and public relations. 

Development Chair: The Development Chair drives fundraising initiatives and strategic planning to secure necessary funds to support the AUECO’s strategic initiatives. This includes, but is not limited to engagement and management of donors, grants, and sponsorships.


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