The ASC Association will discontinue management services to 8 state ASC associations: Maryland, Minnesota, Kansas, Colorado , Utah, Nevada, Washington and Oregon.

Sources are calling it a business decision made at ASCA's annual meeting in Anaheim, Calif., over the weekend. "While disappointing, it wasn't shocking," says one source, calling the 5-year arrangement a money-loser when it was supposed to be revenue-neutral.

Out is Rob Schwartz, ASCA's senior vice president for association development and management. Mr. Schwartz, who managed the 8 state ASC groups and lobbied for an estimated 1,000 member ASCs at the state and local level, is expected to continue working for 4 of the state associations as a private consultant.

Facial plastic surgeon William A. Portuese, MD, president of the Washington state ASC Association, says outgoing ASCA President Kathy Bryant called him with the news yesterday, but gave no reason why. Dr. Portuese says Ms. Bryant, who didn't reply to an e-mail for comment, told him that ASCA was waiving Mr. Schwartz's non-compete agreement.

"The national association wants Rob to manage these associations by himself," says Dr. Portuese. "It ought to be a seamless transition for us. He's a very competent executive director. He knows his way in and out of the regulatory, political and legislative arenas. He's taken us from the stone ages to where we are today" — a 120-member strong association with its own annual trade show.

Dan O'Connor

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