2024
- December - Hola Mataele, Hilton Motif Seattle
- November - Kat Thornton, SBI Association Management
- October - Darla White, Seattle King County REALTORS
- September - Kathleen Poston, Life Science of Washington
- August - Daniel Fleming, Washington Association of CPAs
- July - Stuart Butler, Northwest Event Show and Butler Seattle & Events
- June - Linda Herald, Wenatchee Convention Center
- May - Jennifer Bravo, King County Nurses Association
- April - Jeremy Arp, National Association of Social Workers - WA Chapter
- March - M. Lindsay Brown, Central Washington Home Builders Association
- February - Brynn Johnson, Yakima Valley Tourism
- January - Christina Coad, King County Bar Association
2023
- December - Michael DeVan, Hotel Interurban
- November - Anita Riche, Washington Association of School Business Officials
- October - Chris McDougall, Commercial Brokers Association
- September - Kyle Tibbs, Washington State Chapter Community Associations Institute
- August - Megan Miller, SBI Association Management
- July - Noelle Cueto, Explore Seattle Southside
- June - Mariah Guilfoil - Dovel, Washington Association of School Business Officials
- May - Angela Strecker, Blue Wings Events LLC
- April - (no member of the month)
- March - Dennis Galloway, CMP, Four Points by Sheraton Seattle Airport South
- February - Mary Hull - Drury, Washington REALTORS
- January - Helen Doty, CEBS, PHR, SHRM-CP, Washington Society of CPAs
2022
Award Categories
The following awards are presented annually at convention.
Associate Member of the Year
This award recognizes a Partner member who has made a major contribution to Washington’s association community and to WSAE. Judges will consider the individual’s history of participation in WSAE, as well as work, achievements, honors, and professional recognition.
Spirit Award
The WSAE Spirit Award is an honor bestowed on a person who exhibits an outstanding dedication to advancing their career and learning through the educational programs offered through WSAE. This individual has shown consistent attendance in the Art of Association Management programs, as well as participation in webinar events and the WSAE annual convention. This person eagerly spreads the good work of WSAE educational programs to encourage the growth of others and boost attendance and participation.
Association Executive of the Year
WSAE’s highest honor, this award recognizes a WSAE member executive who has demonstrated leadership through service to WSAE, their own association, the association community, and the field of association management. Judges will consider the individual’s employment history in association management, achievements, honors, and contributions.
Rising Star
This award recognizes an emerging association leader in our state. Nominees must be under the age of 40 and/or have less than 5 year’s experience in association management. Candidate must be nominated by a supervisor or colleague who is a WSAE member executive or association staff member. Judges will consider the individual’s employment history in association management, achievements, honors, and contributions. The winner of WSAE’s Rising Star Award will receive a free year of WSAE membership and a free registration to the WSAE’s Convention.
Innovation in Associations
This award recognizes an association with at least one staff member who is a WSAE member. It showcases an outstanding initiative, membership campaign, or communications effort. Among the areas for commendation include branding campaigns, convention/meetings marketing campaigns, e-magazines/newsletters, government relations/advocacy initiative, innovative communications, media/public relations campaigns, membership retention campaigns, membership recruitment campaigns, new member orientation campaigns, new products/services launches, and print magazines/newsletters.
WSAE’s highest honor, this award recognizes a WSAE member executive who has demonstrated leadership through service to WSAE, their own association, the association community, and the field of association management. Judges will consider the individual’s employment history in association management, achievements, honors, and contributions.
2024: Chris McDougall
2023: Brenda Orffer, CAE
2022: Tiina Freeman, CAE
2021: Tom Hurdelbrink, CAE
2020: No award given
2019: Bracken Killpack; Justin D. Leighton; Lois Swenson-Grudt
2018: Gary Kipp
2017: Kimberly Scott, CAE
2016: Jan Teague
2015: Ken Spencer
2014: No award given
2013: Patty Anderson, IOM, CAE
2012: Andrew Estep, CAE
2011: Gary Kipp
2010: Meade Thayer
2009: Jackie Barry, CAE
2008: Liz Wilson, CAE
2007: Stacy Augustine
2006: Steve Francks, CAE
2005: Kristen Crowe
2004: Dana Murphy-Love, CAE
2003: Pat Jones, CAE
2002: Ginger Downs, CAE
2001: John Cooper
2000: Mary Mauerman, CAE
1999: Donna Cameron, CAE
1998: C. Russell Nickel
1997: Marcia Holland, CAE
1996: Lynn L. Melby, CAE
This award recognizes a Partner member who has made a major contribution to Washington’s association community and to WSAE. Judges will consider the individual’s history of participation in WSAE, as well as work, achievements, honors, and professional recognition.
2024: Angela Strecker
2023: Lara Watkins
2022: Cheryl Dierich
2021: All associate members
2020: No award given
2019: K'ai Roberts Fu
2018: Connie Thorpe
2017: Rob Fleming
2016: Tim Rhodes
2015: Stephanie Barrero
2014: No award given
2013: Mitch Hansen
2012: Emily Hoyt, CMP
2011: Tracy Banfield
2010: Jill Radel
2009: Brynn Kloster
2008: Jenn Smeller
2007: Angie Wayman
2006: Cynay Smith
2005: Linda Herald
2004: Erika Secord
2003: Nard Smith
2002: Jane Kantor
2001: Anne Moneymaker
2000: Janet McRoberts
1999: Lynn Edwards, CMP
1998: Darcy Kauffman, CMP
1997: Linda Broderick
1996: Linda Broderick
This recognition is presented by the President.
2024: Kim Bresler
2023: Monette Anderson, CAE
2022: Brenda Orffer, CAE
2021: Bracken Killpack
2020: No award given
2019: Emily Hoyt, CMP
2018: Tiina Freeman, CAE
2017: Brenda Orffer, CAE
2016: Robin Cowper, CAE
2015: Linda Herald
2014: Tiina Freeman, CAE
2013: Brit Kramer, CAE
2012: Andy Prazuch, CAE
2011: Julie Johnson
2010: Bill Wlliams
2009: Julie Johnson
2008: Stacie Davis
2007: Liz Wilson, CAE
2006: Amy Spain
2005: Gerhard Letzing, CAE
2004: Jane Kantor, CAE
2003: Ginger Downs, CAE
2002: Patrick Jones, CAE
2001: Gregory Kaveney & Janet McRoberts
2000: Ruth Scott
1999: Robin Barry
1998: Mark Rieck
1997: Linda Broderick
1996: Marcia Holland, CAE
1995: Unknown
1994: Marcia Holland, CAE
1993: Jolene DiSalvo
1992: Larry Wennik
1991: Harry Kruger
1990: James Carpenter
1989: Marcia Holland
1988: Sallie Zimmer
1987: Arlene Baker
1986: Tracy White
1985: Leslie Ehle
1984: Devon Walter
1983: Lynn Melby, CAE
1982: Unknown
1981: Unknown
1980: Unknown
1979: Thomas Purton, CAE
1978: Russell O. Schlosstein, CAE
This award recognizes an association with at least one staff member who is a WSAE member. It showcases an outstanding initiative, membership campaign, or communications effort. Among the areas for commendation include branding campaigns, convention/meetings marketing campaigns, e-magazines/newsletters, government relations/advocacy initiative, innovative communications, media/public relations campaigns, membership retention campaigns, membership recruitment campaigns, new member orientation campaigns, new products/services launches, and print magazines/newsletters.
2024: Explore Seattle Southside; Washington Association of School Business Officials
2023: Washington State PTA; Washington Society of CPAs
2022: Jeffrey Wilcox, Third Sector Company
2021: Northwest Marine Trade Association; Washington Association of Realtors; Washington Dental Association & Washington Health Care Association
2020: No award given
2019: No award given
2018 - King County Bar Association
2017 - No award given
2016 - Washington State PTA
2015 - Washington Health Care Association
This award recognizes an emerging association leader in our state. Nominees must be under the age of 40 and/or have less than 5 year’s experience in association management. Candidate must be nominated by a supervisor or colleague who is a WSAE member executive or association staff member. Judges will consider the individual’s employment history in association management, achievements, honors, and contributions. The winner of WSAE’s Rising Star Award will receive a free year of WSAE membership and a free registration to the WSAE’s Convention.
2024: Kyle Tibbs
2023: Liz Truong, CAE
2022: Brett Hartman
2021: Tiffany Hanzo Martin
2020: No award given
2019: Christine Opiela
2018: No award given
2017: No award given
2016: Tom Tidyman
2015: Samantha Shaw
2014: No award given
2013: Darcy Jacobson
2012: Tammy Hetrick
2011: Sarah Luczyk
The WSAE Spirit Award is new this year (2021), and is an honor bestowed on a person who exhibits an outstanding dedication to advancing their career and learning through the educational programs offered through WSAE. This individual has shown consistent attendance in the Art of Association Management programs, as well as participation in webinar events and the WSAE annual convention. This person eagerly spreads the good work of WSAE educational programs to encourage the growth of others and boost attendance and participation.
2024: Jeanette Kebede, CAE
2023: Kim Bresler
2022: Linda Herald
2021: Tracy Thornton, CMP
This award has been discontinued.
This award is presented to a volunteer leader in a WSAE member association who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of his/her association and profession through participation, example, leadership, and service. Candidates must be nominated by a WSAE member..
2013 - Jeannette Privat
2012 - Susan Chalcraft, PT, MS, Physical Therapy Association of Washington
2011 - Doug Neyhart, Rental Housing Association of Puget Sound
2010 - Bryce Taylor, NAIOP - Commercial Real Estate Development Association, Washington State Chapter
2009 - Randy Johnson, PT, CEO, Apple Physical Therapy
2008 - Paula Beatty, Home Care Association of Washington
2007 - Richard Bettesworth, PT Physical Therapy Association
2006 - Kelly Beckley, Commercial Real Estate Women - Seattle Chapter
2005 - J. Lennox Scott - John L. Scott Real Estate
2004 - Jean "Punkey" Adams, WA State Chapter of National Association of Social Workers
2003 - Pierce Scranton, MD, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society
2002 - Roni Strupat, Seattle King County Association of REALTORS
2002 - Steve Fogg, C.P.M., Western Washington Chapter of the National Association of Purchasing Management
2001 - Lorna Wilturner, Washington State Psychological Association
2000 - John Bennett, Timber Product Manufacturers Assn
1999 - No award given
1998 - Brian Gosline, Washington Society of CPAs
1997 - Mark Mullen, Washington Association of Homes for the Aging
1996 - Judy Moore, Home Care Association of Washington