During its 48th National Conference, held May 4-7 in Anaheim, California, the Community Associations Institute (CAI) recognized a group of individuals who had shown proven excellence in the areas of education, leadership government and public affairs and membership recruitment. These awards recognized members who have contributed to the growth, strength and achievements of CAI over the past year.
Immediate Past Chairman Stephen R. Bupp, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, was recognized with CAI's top honor—the Distinguished Service Award—for his continued contributions to CAI over the years. Through his tenure with the association, Bupp was instrumental in creating several of CAI's designations, played an integral part in the task force which created the National Board for Certification for Community Association Managers (NBC-CAM), and served as treasurer and chair-elect of CAI. In addition, Bupp has chaired and served on various committees, councils and task forces over the past 20 years with CAI.
This year, two Rising Star awards were given to individuals that CAI believes represent the future of the association and the industry. Karyn A. Kennedy, Esq., was recognized for her work with the amicus curiae group and the Attorney's Council, as well as the work she does on behalf of the Government and Public Affairs Council, which she chaired in 1999. Katie Allardyce, PCAM, was also given this award for her work with the Managers Committee, and for serving as a National Faculty member and as vice president of her local chapter.
A new award was given this year to a member who has gone above and beyond all past recruitment accomplishments. Richard E. Brooks, Esq., was honored as the first inductee of a new member recruitment category called the Vanguard Club. Brooks reached this prestigious level by having recruited more than 400 members for CAI.
Awards of Excellence were presented to W. Mickel Graham, PCAM, Sheri Lucy, Michael Terrizzi and Marc Fong for Chapter Leadership; Ronald P. Kirby, CMCA and Debra Warren, PCAM for Designations; and Richard E. Brooks, Esq., for Membership. The Award of Excellence for Government and Public Affairs was given to David Regenbaum, PCAM, Marc D. Markel, Esq., and Kenneth Ebgert, PCAM for Education; Robert M. Diamond, Esq., Thomas J. Hindman, Esq., Lynn S. Jordan, Esq., Richard S. Ekimoto, Esq., E. Richard Kennedy, Esq., Karyn A. Kennedy, Esq., Stephen M. Marcus, Esq., Mark F. Makower, Esq., Tom Moriarty, Esq., Marvin J. Nodiff, Esq., Ronald L. Perl, Esq., J. David Ramsey, Esq., and Barbara D. Wick, CPCU, ARM, AIS.
Chapter Executive Director (CED) awards were given to CED's who have proven their leadership skills and advancing the core purpose of CAI. The CED of the Year Award was given to Karen Hone of the Rocky Mountain Chapter. The CED Rising Star of the Year Award was presented to Noelle Larson of the Georgia Chapter. And the CED Special Achievement Award was presented to Joseph F. Watt of the Bay Area and Central California Chapter.
Paul D. Grucza, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, was honored as Educator of the Year; J. David Ramsey, Esq., was presented with the Outstanding Volunteer Service Award; and the Colorado Chapter of CAI received the Legislative Action Committee of the Year Award.
CAI's Frequent Recruiter Club was established to honor those individuals who have excelled in their recruitment efforts. Awards were presented to Sue Carpenter, PCAM, of the Mid-Florida Chapter for recruiting over 200 members. Abe Emmer, from the New Hampshire Chapter, and George Nowack, from the Georgia Chapter, were given awards for entering the Hall of Fame Club, which recognizes individuals who have recruited over 50 members into CAI.
Chapters were also recognized for their continued achievements on behalf of CAI. Those winners included the New Hampshire Chapter, Rocky Mountain Chapter and the Orange County Chapter, Public Affairs; New Hampshire Chapter, Rocky Mountain Chapter and the New England Chapter, Membership; Southern Colorado Chapter, Channel Islands Chapter, and the Orange County Chapter, Chapter Management and Development; Southern Colorado Chapter, New Hampshire Chapter, Nevada Chapter, and the San Diego Chapter, Member Services; and the Rocky Mountain and Washington Metro chapters, Leadership.
The Community Associations Institute is a nonprofit association created in 1973 to educate and represent the nation's 205,000 community associations—condominium associations, homeowner associations and cooperatives. CAI members include homeowners, associations and related professionals and service providers.