The American Academy
of Dermatology in Scha-
umburg, Ill., has named
Debra L. Gist, MPH, its
new director of commu-
nications. Prior to joining the Academy,
Gist was a CME consultant to several
organizations, including the American
College of Cardiology and Duke Universi-
ty’s School of Medicine, where she previ-
ously was director of continuing medical
education.
Chris Jorgensen has joined The Actuarial
Foundation as director of marketing and
communications. Previously, Jorgensen
was director of marketing and communications for Abraham Low Self-Help
Systems.
The Association Forum
of Chicagoland has hired
four new staffers: Christy
Spahn, Kasia Piechnik,
Todd Ross and Michelle
Mills. Spahn, who joins the
Association Forum from
SmithBucklin Corp., where
she was a sales manager,
is director of sales and
sponsorship. Piechnik joins
the Association Forum as
manager of meetings and
exhibits. Previously, she
was marketing manager
at the Merchandise Mart
Properties. Ross joins
the Association Forum as
membership and Forum
Plus coordinator. He previ-
ously was project manager, quality con-
trol analyst and trainer, for Avectra. Mills,
meanwhile, joins the Association Forum
as manager, shared interest groups and
programs. She formerly was senior mar-
keting and communications coordinator
at SmithBucklin Corp.
A Salute to the New CAEs
Hats off to the following Association
Forum members, who are among 57
association executives this summer to
earn the Certified Association Executive
credential:
Lynn M. Disbrow, CAE
Vice President, Membership &
Marketing
Institute of Real Estate
Management
Chicago, IL
Heidi Korthase, CAE
Database Manager
American College of
Healthcare Executives
Chicago, IL
James R. Pavletich, CAE
Senior Director & COO
Accreditation Association
for Ambulatory Health Care
Skokie, IL
Anna K. Quintanilla, CAE
Specialty Society Manager
American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Westchester, IL
The CAE program, administered by ASAE,
has served to elevate professional stan-
dards, enhance individual performance
and designate those who demonstrate
knowledge essential to the practice of
association management. To earn the
CAE credential, candidates must first
submit an application satisfying profes-
sional experience and education require-
ments. Successful applicants must then
pass a challenging examination on all
aspects of association management. Can-
didates undertake rigorous study ses-
sions in preparation for the exam, and
only those who are able to achieve the
passing score earn the CAE credential.
Once earned, the certification must be
renewed every three years through addi-
tional studies and leadership activities.
Association Forum offers CAE study
groups, sponsored by Johnson Lambert
Co. LLP, which enjoy an average passing
rate of more than 70 percent. For details,
contact Association Forum Membership
and Forum Plus Coordinator Todd Ross
at ross@associationforum.org or (312)
924-7042.
(Cont. from pg. 35) The membership
amended the Association Forum bylaws
to increase the supplier partner representation on the board to three supplier
partner member directors and all board
positions are placed on a rotation schedule so that there is one supplier partner
member director opening per year.
Established Holiday Showcase
Point System
Introduced for the 2010 Holiday
Showcase, exhibitors earn points based
on how many booths were purchased
for the 2009 show, whether they partici-
pated in sponsorship and advertising,
past participation in Holiday Showcase,
membership in Association Forum and
engagement in the 2010 expo — such
as purchasing the member mailing list,
reserving a lunch table and booking a
room in the housing block.
Began AMS, CMS Implementation
The Association Forum laid the groundwork for a new Association Management
System and website Content Management
System, which launched in July and
October 2010, respectively, to make it
easier for members to access information
and resources as well as customize their
online experience.
