Community Associations Institute Awards Hundreds o

Falls Church, VA, May 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Community Associations Institute (CAI) , the leading international authority in community association governance, management, and education, awarded 625 career-enriching designations during the organization’s 2018 Annual Conference and Exposition , held May 9–12 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. Like other CAI members who have achieved these credentials before them, all of the new designees have dedicated themselves to becoming experts in community association management and operations and have committed to abide by the high standards of CAI’s Professional Code of Ethics .

After successfully completing all 200-level Professional Management Development Program (PMDP) courses and an arduous Case Study, along with several years’ experience as professional managers, 87 CAI members were awarded the Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM) designation, the world’s most prestigious and respected credential for association managers. Nearly 3,000 managers now hold this significant industry recognition, which was first awarded in 1982 to 17 managers.

Additionally, more than 500 managers received the noteworthy Association Management Specialist (AMS) designation. This important credential requires several years of management experience and indicates a manager’s commitment to the community management profession and to advancing his or her career.

Two managers—Sarah E. Gerstein, CMCA, AMS, LSM, PCAM, and Vicki E. Eaton, CMCA, AMS, LSM, PCAM—were awarded CAI’s Large-Scale Manager (LSM) designation. Eaton is the 100th manager to earn this specialist credential, which is available only to managers who have already earned the PCAM designation and who have demonstrated proficiency in managing communities representing 1,000 units or more and with budgets of $2 million or greater.

CAI’s Community Insurance and Risk Management Specialist (CIRMS) designation recognizes a demonstrated high level of competence within the risk management profession. Eleven insurance professionals received this valuable credential at this year’s Annual Conference.

Based on the educational equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in construction management, architecture, or engineering, and after years of specialized experience in the field, professional reserve specialists are qualified to ensure that community associations have accurate reserve budgets based on a thorough review of common areas and infrastructure. No less than a dozen CAI members were awarded the esteemed Reserve Specialist (RS) designation. 

Ten management companies received the Accredited Association Management Company (AAMC) designation, bringing the number of businesses with this invaluable credential to more than 300. The AAMC designation indicates to client community associations that a management company is committed to providing unique and diverse services and has ensured that its employees have the skills, experience, and integrity to help communities succeed.

For the names and more information about CAI members who were awarded designations this year, contact Sean Pearson , CAI’s designations specialist. For details on the criteria for achieving each of CAI’s designations and a complete list of all individuals and businesses who have earned and maintain CAI professional credentials, visit www.caionline.org/designations .  

About Community Associations Institute Since 1973, Community Associations Institute (CAI) has been the leading provider of resources and information for homeowners, volunteer board leaders, professional managers, and business professionals in 342,000 homeowners associations, condominiums, and co-ops in the United States and millions of communities worldwide. With nearly 40,000 members, CAI works in partnership with 36 legislative action committees and 63 affiliated chapters within the U.S., Canada, United Arab Emirates, and South Africa, as well as with housing leaders in several other countries including Australia, Spain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom. A global nonprofit 501(c)(6) organization, CAI is the foremost authority in community association management, governance, education, and advocacy. Our mission is to inspire professionalism, effective leadership, and responsible citizenship—ideals reflected in community associations that are preferred places to call home. Visit us at www.caionline.org and follow us on Twitter and Facebook @caisocial.

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Amy Hawkes Repke Community Associations Institute 703-970-9239 arepke@caionline.org Lauren Fielder Community Associations Institute 703-970-9222 lfielder@caionline.org