NBC-CAM chair in 2005-06, Phares served on the blue ribbon task force that founded the certification group in 1995. She has also served on the NBC-CAM Board of Commissioners.

The award was presented by NBC-CAM Chair Pat Wasson, CMCA, PCAM, at Community Association Institute's record-setting National Conference and Exposition in Las Vegas. The conference was the largest event in CAI history, with more than 1,300 people in attendance.

Only three other people have been honored with the Keenan Award: Barbara Keenan (2002), staff president of CAI from 1992 to 2002; Jerry Fein (2004), a New Jersey homeowner who was actively involved in both CAI and NBC-CAM; and Stephen Castle (2005), CMCA, AMS, PCAM, president of Mid-Atlantic Management Corp. in Plymouth Meeting, PA.

To be eligible for the award, the individual must make exceptionally valuable contributions to the advancement of the manager certification program and achieve distinction in the field through leadership, research or management.

In addition to her tremendous contributions to NBC-CAM and the community management profession, Phares was recognized for her personal and corporate commitment to professionalism and high ethical standards. Her company earned the 2006 Greater Dallas Business Ethics Award and the 2006 American Business Ethics Award.

"Like Barbara, Jerry and Steve before her, Judi was instrumental in the growth and development of the NBC-CAM certification program," said Executive Director Dawn Bauman, CAE. "Her personal and professional commitment to excellence in community management is unwavering. She is a role model for all professional community managers, exemplifying professionalism, leadership and high standards in everything she does. Our industry is fortunate to have a professional of Judi's caliber."

More 7,000 professionals have earned the Certified Manager of Community Associations certification since NBC-CAM was created a dozen years ago. CMCA certification signifies that a manager has passed NBC-CAM's national exam and met the requirements for managing condominium, cooperative and homeowner associations.

To search for an active CMCA, visit www.nbccam.org/hiring/search.cfm.

NBC-CAM was founded by CAI to establish guidelines for acquiring and demonstrating fundamental knowledge of community association management. An affiliate of CAI, NBC-CAM operates as an independent entity. It is the first and only national organization created solely to certify community association managers and to help consumers identify managers who have demonstrated fundamental competency and knowledge in this profession.

More information on NBC-CAM can be accessed at www.nbccam.org. To learn more about CAI, visit www.caionline.org.