The members were honored during CAI's 54th National Conference and Exposition, May 19-21, in Tucson, Arizona. The conference attracted a near-record 750 participants.

Awards presented during the conference included:

• Author of the Year: T. Peter Kristian, CMCA, LSM, PCAM, Hilton Head Plantation HOA, Hilton Head, SC.
• Award of Excellence in Government and Public Affairs: Marvin J. Nodiff, Esq., Law Office of Marvin Nodiff, St. Louis, MO; Lucia Anna Trigiani, Esq., Troutman Sanders LLP, McLean, VA.
• Award of Excellence in Membership: Richard E. Brooks, Esq., Marcus, Errico, Emmer & Brooks, PC, Braintree, MA; Janet Romano, Colonial Bank, Sarasota, FL.
• Educator of the Year: W. Mickel Graham, PCAM, SmartStreet, Norcross, GA.
• Recruiter of the Year: Ellen Hirsch de Haan, Esq., a past president of CAI and attorney with the Florida law firm of Becker & Poliakoff, P.A.
• Legislative Action Committee (LAC) of the Year: California LAC. (CAI has 27 LACs that monitor state legislative and judicial activities and work to protect the best interests of association-governed communities.)
• Award of Excellence in Chapter Leadership: William D. Huettner (Wisconsin), CMCA, AMS, Prospect Management Company, Glendale, WI; Robert H. Schwarting (Western New York), PCAM, Flagship Management, Camillus, NY.
• Chapter Executive Director of the Year: Barbara Ozenbaugh (San Diego), CMP.
• Chapter Executive Director Rising Star Award: Michelle Medlock (Washington State); Linda Razzano (Dallas/Fort Worth).

"Our members continue to set invaluable examples of selfless volunteerism," said Tom Skiba, CAI's chief executive officer. "We have incredibly talented and dedicated volunteers—people who make a real difference for CAI and the industry. We officially recognize only a few each year, but we see the fruits of their collective efforts every day."

In addition to member volunteers, CAI also honored Laura Hagan, executive director of Florida's Sun Coast chapter, and Stephanie Bowlin, CAI's senior manager of education, with the 2004-05 President's Award. Recipients of this award are selected by CAI's immediate past president, a title now held by Paul D. Grucza, CMCA, AMS, PCAM.

Grucza recognized Hagan and Bowlin for their efforts in support of CAI's multi-year consumer education program in Florida. CAI was awarded a one-year contract by the state in 2001 to organize and conduct a series of courses on the governance and management of association-governed communities. The success of the program has led to contract renewals through June 2006.

Nearly 8,500 Floridians have attended more than 200 CAI courses since the program was launched. The courses address the regulation of residential condominium associations in Florida, cooperative and condominium operations, financial management of condominium associations and conflict resolution.

"Laura and Stephanie have worked so hard—and so effectively—during the past several years to make this unique education program the success that it is," said Grucza, a longtime member of CAI's education faculty. "Without chapter leaders like Laura, and without national staff like Stephanie, we wouldn't be able to accomplish all that we do. They deserve our recognition and appreciation."

In addition to individual awards, 11 chapters received awards for innovation and excellence in programming: California North, Georgia, Greater Houston (three awards), Illinois, New England, New Jersey, Rocky Mountain, Southeastern Virginia, Southern Arizona (four awards), Washington Metropolitan (two awards) and Western New York.

Membership awards were given to four chapters for best net growth in a calendar year: Wisconsin, Gold Coast, Nevada and Washington State. Best member retention awards went to the Hudson Valley, Central Virginia, Channel Islands and Washington Metropolitan chapters.

CAI is the only national membership organization dedicated to fostering vibrant, responsive, competent community associations. The 16,000-plus member organization represents professional managers, community association volunteer leaders, management companies, and businesses and professionals who provide products and services to association-governed communities.