Two past presidents and three chapter executive directors were among almost 20 industry leaders honored for outstanding service to Community Associations Institute (CAI) during the organization’s recent National Conference and Exposition at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The event was the most well-attended National Conference in CAI’s 37-year history, with more than 1,700 participants, including more than 50 international guests.

Michael E. Packard, PCAM, a California management company executive and CAI president in 1984, received the 2009 President’s Award. Given at the discretion of 2009 CAI President Edward D. Thomas, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, the award recognizes exemplary service and the instrumental roles recipients play in helping CAI fulfill its varied missions.

J. David Ramsey, Esq., a New Jersey attorney and CAI president in 2003, earned the 2009 Outstanding Volunteer Service Award, which recognizes members who have provided outstanding leadership and demonstrated long-term dedication to CAI and the community association industry.

Three chapter leaders were honored, with Kathy Gonzales, CMCA, (Orange County Regional) earning the Chapter Executive Director of the Year Award and Joe Dunst (Austin) and Mary Rendina (Nevada) each earning a Chapter Executive Director Rising Star Award.

CAI’s most prestigious honor, the Distinguished Service Award, was given to Howard A. Goldklang, CPA. A former president of the Washington Metropolitan chapter, Goldklang served for six years on the CAI Board of Trustees, served as CAI treasurer, was the first chair of the Audit Committee and authored The Board Treasurer, a popular title in the Guide for Association Practitioners series.

Other individual award recipients for 2009 include:

• Award of Excellence in Chapter Leadership: Marilyn Brainard (Nevada).
• Award of Excellence in Designations: Lucia Anna “Pia” Trigiani, Esq. (Washington Metropolitan).
• Award of Excellence in Government and Public Affairs: Mark D. Pearlstein, Esq. (Illinois).
• Award of Excellence in Membership: Darren Bevan, Esq. (California North).
• CAI Rising Star Award: Susan Bauman (Nevada).
• Recruiter of the Year: Robin Steinkritz, CMCA, AMS, PCAM (Georgia).

On the advocacy front, legislative action committees in Rhode Island and Texas earned special recognition for their successes in the state legislative arena.

The Educator of the Year award was presented to Team 200 leaders who worked to update CAI’s 200-level Professional Management Development Program (PMDP) courses:

• Joseph D. Douglass, Esq. (Washington Metropolitan).
• Judy Farrah, CMCA, LSM, PCAM (Nevada).
• Steve Hurwitz, CMCA, AMS, PCAM (Washington Metropolitan).
• Marjorie J. Meyer, CMCA, PCAM (Greater Houston).
• Wendy W. Taylor, CMCA, AMS, LSM, PCAM (Washington Metropolitan).
• Robert A. Travis, CIRMS (New Jersey).
• Gene T. West (Rocky Mountain).

"Our continued success—whether in membership, programming, education or advocacy—is a direct result of strong chapter leadership and the commitment and dedication of countless member volunteers,” said CAI Chief Executive Officer Thomas M. Skiba, CAE. “Their selfless contributions are truly profound and essential to our evolution as a national advocate for community associations and the people who make them work.”

In addition to the individual awards, 17 CAI chapters received 27 awards for excellence in various categories of achievement: Austin (5 awards); Southeastern Virginia (3); Central Virginia, Greater Los Angeles, Pennsylvania/Delaware Valley and Rocky Mountain (2 each); and California North, Connecticut, Georgia, Greater Inland Empire, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio Valley, Suncoast (Florida), Washington Metropolitan, Western New York and West Florida (1 each).

The following chapters had the highest net member retention for 2009: Western New York, 90.38%; Southeastern Virginia, 82.89%; Pennsylvania/Delaware Valley, 81.56%; and Ohio Valley, 81.54%.

Chapters with the highest net membership growth were West Florida, 22.57%; California North, 20%; Central Virginia, 11.96%; and Suncoast, 9.52%.

“Our chapters have shown remarkable resilience during a deep and prolonged economic recession,” said Crystal L. Danielson, CAE, IOM, CAI’s vice president of membership and chapter relations. “Only a few can be recognized each year, but our collective success depends on the skills and dedication of all chapter leaders—executive directors, their staff and the member leaders who provide indispensible support and expertise.”

CAI is a national membership association that provides information, tools and resources to the volunteers and professionals who govern and manage community and condominium associations. CAI’s more than 30,000 members include community managers, volunteer homeowner leaders and businesses and professionals who support common-interest communities. More information is available at www.caionline.org.