Rick Feldman, who has run NATPE for the past nine years, is stepping down from that role on April 30, 2012.

In a press release today NATPE wrote, "Rick Feldman, who has served as President and CEO of NATPE for the past nine years, will segue, as planned, from his post at the end of his contract on April 30 into a three-year consultancy with the organization, it was jointly announced by Jordan Levin and Chris Grant, co-chairmen of NATPE."

The release continued, "NATPE has retained Korn Ferry to administer an executive search to select a new operating chief for NATPE. Feldman will assist with the transition."

Grant said in a statement, "Our goal now is to find an individual who can oversee the proposed plans we have for our 50th Anniversary celebration and can help implement the ideas we have discussed to grow NATPE and solidify its position as the premier content association in the world across all platforms, both traditional and emerging.”

In the same statement Levin said of Feldman, "We deeply appreciate the contributions Rick has made to NATPE including his work most recently on our very successful Miami Conference, which grew in all key categories for the second year in a row. His knowledge and experience will continue to be put to good use as a consultant to the person we select and to the organization as a whole.”

Feldman added, in the statement, "I am very proud of what I have accomplished during my time as CEO of NATPE. We have expanded our programs, improved our financial position, enhanced our brand internationally, integrated the digital world and brought new life to our organization with our move to Miami. I look forward to working with the person who will replace me and with the organization as a consultant in the years ahead.”

Grant is CEO of Electus. According to his official NATPE bio, Electus is "the first integrated multimedia entertainment studio to unite producers, creators, advertisers and distributors under one roof and produce all forms of content for distribution across a variety of platforms around the world."

Levin spent 10 years at The WB, rising to become its President of Entertainment. According to his official NATPE bio, "In 2005, Levin partnered to create Generate, a next-generation media company producing targeted content for distribution across traditional and digital platforms. Generate’s distinctive full-service studio, talent management and brand engagement divisions collectively develop innovative entertainment experiences that integrate the advertising, technology and entertainment communities."

Feldman, prior to joining NATPE in April 2003, was — according to his official NATPE bio — "executive vice president and chief operating officer of USA Broadcasting in Los Angeles. While there, he was responsible for overseeing a group of four stations throughout the United States, including WAMI-TV/Miami. … Prior to USA, Mr. Feldman served 16 years at KCOP-TV/Los Angeles."

Rick Feldman