The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) has officially commenced its search for a new executive director, it announced yesterday. The new candidate, who will be vetted and chosen by a special candidate review committee, will replace current executive director Susan Gurley, who will resign effective at the end of this month."Our objective is to find a candidate who combines the spirit of our industry with the drive of an entrepreneur and the leadership qualities that will fit well with the board as we lead ACTE into the bright future we see ahead," ACTE President Richard Crum said in a statement. "Our search will span the best of the best with strong emphasis on association leadership."Comprised of ranking association members—both buyers and suppliers—from around the world, ACTE's candidate review committee will collect resumes from interested candidates through Dec. 21, 2009, after which it will begin reviewing resumes, vetting applicants and interviewing candidates. ACTE's executive committee will then conduct final interviews and present a recommended candidate to the association's board of directors, appointing a new executive director by the end of the first quarter of 2010, with the nominee expected to start in April."The executive director search committee is now in place and ready to start reviewing candidates," said Committee Chair Tony D'Astolfo, vice president of worldwide sales and travel services for Rearden Commerce. "I am confident that we will find the best candidate for the association."