The election features 18 candidates from several corners of the industry all making their case to fill the four open positions to the GALA board of directors.

The election season continues, but this time for the members of the Globalization and Localization Association (GALA). The global, non-profit trade association for the language industry issued a call for candidates in September, and the election will begin on November 18 and close on December 3.

The elections are held annually, and terms last for two years, from January 1 of the first year to December 31 the following year. Members of the board may serve no more than two consecutive terms.

The Board of Directors at GALA consists of seven individuals. Directors are elected in alternating years — with three directors elected one year and four the following year. This year, they will choose four candidates from a pool of 18.

The Board includes four required officers: Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Directors vote amongst themselves in January to determine the three remaining positions, according to the association’s needs at that time.

Last year’s Board included Pedro Gomez at Chairperson (Microsoft principal program manager), Marie Flacassier at Vice Chairperson (Beatbabel CEO), Patrick Nunes at Secretary (director of Global Communications & Design at Rotary International), Kåre Lindahl at Treasurer (CEO of Venga Global), María Jesús de Arriba Díaz at Program Committee Liaison (director of strategic accounts at Vistatec), Alessandra Binazzi at Marketing (localization management consultant at Alessandra Binazzi Consulting), Balázs Kis at TAPICC Liason (co-founder and chairman of the board at memoQ Translation Technologies).

Three current Board Members — Alessandra Binazzi, Marie Flacassier, and Balázs Kis — are seeking re-election, while Pedro Gomez will complete his second term next month. Among the remaining candidates for the Board, there is a broad representation of individuals with years of experience around the localization industry and academia.

All candidates were asked to respond to the following prompts to state their cases for one of the open positions on the board: describe how you are qualified to address strategy for GALA; and what skills, resources, connections, and expertise will you bring to GALA?

Some highlighted their broad experience and networks in the localization industry, while others highlighted their generational experience operating family-run LSPs, and some others reflected deep knowledge in linguistics and international exchange. The answers reveal valuable insights about the variety of paths that make up the localization industry.