​Six past presidents and several chapter executive directors were among the more than 20 industry leaders honored for their outstanding service to Community Associations Institute (CAI) during the organization’s Annual Conference and Exposition at Boca Raton Resort & Club in Boca Raton, Fla. The successful event hosted almost 1,400 guests from around the globe​.

CAI’s most prestigious honor, the Distinguished Service Award—which honors those member volunteers who have shown a long-term commitment of time and resources to CAI—was awarded to George E. Nowack, Jr., Esq., who served as CAI’s president in 1994-95. For more than 20 years, Nowack has been an integral volunteer for CAI, taking on many roles at both the chapter and national level, including sitting on Georgia's Legislative Action Committee (LAC) and chapter board, and serving as dean of the College of Community Association Lawyers.

Three chapter executive directors also were honored, with Vicki McClenathen (West Florida chapter) earning the Chapter Executive Director of the Year Award, and Kayte Comes (Central Arizona) and Paul Hanscom, CAE (Minnesota) each earning a Chapter Executive Director Rising Star Award.

CAI Chief Executive Officer Thomas M. Skiba, CAE, and Senior Vice President Dawn M. Bauman, CAE, both received the 2010 President’s Award for their efforts with CAI’s international initiatives. Given at the discretion of 2010 CAI President P. Michael Nagle, Esq., the award recognizes exemplary service and the instrumental roles recipients play to help CAI fulfill its critical missions.  Bauman is also executive director of the National Board of Certification for Community Association Managers.

Said Skiba, “While Dawn and I were honored to receive this award, our international achievements would have been impossible without the support of our many member volunteers, other CAI staff and our valued partners around the world.”

Other individual award recipients for 2010 include:

• Award of Excellence in Chapter Leadership: David I. Caplan, CMCA, AMS, PCAM (Chesapeake) and Dale Gifford, CMCA, AMS, PCAM (Utah)
• Award of Excellence in Designations: Kathy Gonzales, CMCA (Orange County Regional)
• Award of Excellence in Government and Public Affairs: Joe Bunting, CMCA, AMS, LSM, PCAM (South Carolina); T. Peter Kristian, CMCA, LSM, PCAM (South Carolina); John Thompson, CMCA, AMS, LSM, PCAM (South Carolina); and members of the Federal Affairs Task Force: Robert D. Burton, Esq. (Austin); Robert M. Diamond, Esq. (Washington Metropolitan); George E. Nowack, Jr., Esq. (Georgia); Ronald L. Perl, Esq. (New Jersey); J. David Ramsey, Esq. (New Jersey); and Clifford J. Treese, CIRMS (Bay Area and Central California)
• Award of Excellence in Membership: Glenda Carroll, CMCA, AMS, PCAM (Southeastern Virginia)
• CAI Rising Star Award: Jeevan D’Mello, CMCA, AMS (Dubai) and Jeff Gilmour (South Africa)
• Educator of the Year: Debra A. Warren, CMCA, PCAM (Bay Area and Central California)
• Recruiter of the Year: Robin Steinkritz, CMCA, AMS, PCAM (Georgia)

"Our member volunteers have proven time and time again that they are CAI’s greatest asset, and their selfless dedication and the time they give to the organization are indispensible,” said Skiba. “We’re proud that we had the chance to honor them at our Annual Conference. Without our volunteers, CAI would not be the strong industry leader it is today."

In addition to the individual awards, many CAI chapters received recognition.

The Washington State Legislative Action Committee was named LAC of the Year for its advocacy efforts and successes in the state legislative arena.

CAI also recognized 15 of its chapters for their excellence in various categories of achievement: Austin (two awards); California North; Central Arizona (three); Greater Inland Empire; Greater Los Angeles; Michigan (two); North Carolina; Oregon; Pennsylvania/Delaware Valley (three); San Diego; Southeastern Virginia (two); South Gulf Coast; West Florida; Washington Metropolitan, and Wisconsin.

The following chapters had the highest net membership growth in 2010: Long Island (19.25 percent), Nevada (11.85 percent), Michigan (6.18 percent) and North Carolina (3.83 percent).

"Our 60 chapters are an essential part of the CAI family, achieving successes that can be gained only at the chapter level," said Crystal L. Wallace, CAE, IOM, CAI’s vice president of membership and chapter relations. "​Every chapter brings a unique insight to CAI that helps make our organization special. These awards highlight only a fraction of the wonderful work our chapters are producing."

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.