A past president of Community Associations Institute (CAI) and five chapter executive directors were among those recognized for outstanding service to CAI and its 29,000 members during the Institute’s 58th annual National Conference and Exposition in New Orleans in late April.
Clifford J. Treese, CIRMS, president of CAI in 1986-87, was awarded the Byron Hanke Award for his support of education and research for homeowners and homeowners associations, not only in his Bay Area and Central California chapter, but across the country. Byron Hanke was an original founder of CAI in 1973.
Two chapter executive directors (CEDs) were honored when Immediate Past President T. Peter Kristian, CMCA, LSM, PCAM, presented the prestigious President’s Award to Claudette Carini (New England) and Kati Segar (South Carolina). Given at the discretion of the past president, this award recognizes exemplary service and the instrumental roles recipients play in helping CAI achieve its goals.
Other CEDs earning awards were Linda Razzano (Dallas/Ft. Worth), who was recognized as the Chapter Executive Director of the Year; and Vicki McClenathen (West Florida) and Rebecca Woodring (Southeastern Virginia), both of whom earned Chapter Executive Director Rising Star recognition.
Other individual award recipients for 2008 include:
- Award of Excellence in Chapter Leadership: Jeanne French-Newman, Nevada chapter
- Award of Excellence in Designations: Debra A. Warren, CMCA, PCAM, San Rafael, Calif.
- Award of Excellence in Government and Public Affairs: Marla Mott-Smith, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Award of Excellence in Membership: Mark Gittleman, Minneapolis, Minn.
- CAI Rising Star: Frank Lysiak, CMCA, Buffalo, N.Y.
- Distinguished Service Award: Lucia Anna “Pia” Trigiani, Esq., Alexandria, Va.
- Educator of the Year: Kirk Watilo, LSM, PCAM, Irvine, Calif.
- Legislative Action Committee of the Year: Nevada
- Outstanding Volunteer Service Award: Kathryn Danella, CMCA, LSM, PCAM, Boca Raton, Fla.
- Recruiter of the Year: Laura Lazar, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, Atlanta, Ga.
"CAI is the organization it is today because of strong chapter leadership and the continued support, commitment and dedication of countless member volunteers,” said CAI Chief Executive Officer Thomas M. Skiba, CAE. “The professionals and volunteer homeowner leaders who serve community associations across the country owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the leaders and volunteers who give their time, energy and expertise to CAI.”
In addition to individual awards, seventeen CAI chapters received achievement awards for excellence in seven categories:
- Chapter Management & Development: Austin; Oregon; Western New York; Southeastern Virginia; Pennsylvania and Delaware Valley
- Leadership: Wisconsin; Southern Colorado; Greater Los Angeles; Washington Metropolitan
- Membership: Austin; West Florida; Southeastern Virginia; New England
- Member Services: Austin; West Florida; Greater Los Angeles; Washington Metropolitan
- Public Affairs: Wisconsin; Western New York; Southeastern Virginia; New England; Washington Metropolitan
- Best Net Retention: Western New York—93%; Southeastern Virginia—88.9%; Ohio Valley—88.3%; New Jersey—85.1%
- Best Net Growth: Austin—59%; West Florida—29%; Nevada—24%; Washington State—19%
“Not only have CAI chapters shown resilience in a recession, many have shown growth,” said Crystal L. Danielson, IOM, CAE, CAI’s vice president of membership and chapter relations. “This reflects the leadership, innovation and service they exemplify. CAI relies on the hard work and determination of every one of our chapters. We recognize some of them every year, but we applaud and appreciate all of their efforts.”
CAI is a national membership association that provides information, tools and resources to homeowners and professionals who govern and manage community and condominium associations. CAI members include community managers, volunteer homeowner leaders and businesses and professionals who support common-interest communities. More information is available at www.caionline.org.