Marcus recognized with National Award of Excellence

Stephen Marcus of the law firm of Marcus, Errico, Emmer & Brooks was presented with the CAI Award of Excellence in Government and Public Affairs at the CAI national meeting held in Las Vegas in May. The Amicus Curiae (friend of the court) Brief Committee, chaired in 2014 by Marcus was asked to review a record 19 legal cases, as compared to 15 in 2013 and 2012 combined. Committee members worked countless hours reading and analyzing the cases from around the country to determine how best to work them in regard to CAI public policy. Others Recognized for Service: President's Award Virginia attorney Wil Washington was recognized for his "exemplary service and commitment to CAI" with the organization's prestigious 2014 President's Award. The award is presented solely at the discretion of CAI's immediate past president, in this case Julie McGhee Howard, an attorney in Atlanta. The award is presented to a member who has been instrumental in helping achieve the organization's goals, a service Washington has rendered to CAI for years in a variety of capacities. Educator of the Year Paul Orlando Jr., CMCA, LSM, PCAM, vice president of management at SFMC Inc., AAMC, in Manassas, VA., was named Educator of the Year. Orlando has taught dozens of courses since he joined CAI's faculty in 2009, including the Essentials of Community Association Volunteer Leadership, and a number of chapter programs. Also a content reviewer, he helped update the M-340 course (Managing the Large-Scale Association). Award of Excellence in Membership Considered "an invaluable ambassador for CAI," Jerome Burg, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, principal of Burg Management Company, AAMC, in Panama City Beach, Fla., received the Award of Excellence in Membership for his "demonstrated leadership in supporting CAI membership campaigns and as an active and consistent recruiter." Legislative Action Committee of the Year The Maryland Legislative Action Committee (LAC) is a well-organized group with active representation and strong leaders from all categories of membership. The LAC studied close to 50 pieces of legislation in 2014, 11 of which were deemed detrimental to associations and actively opposed, while 16 bills were actively supported in whole or part. The 2014 Maryland LAC was and still is chaired by Phyllis Marsh of Annapolis. Byron Hanke Award Named for one of CAI's original founders, the Byron Hanke Award is presented periodically to honor those who support the education of and research for homeowners and homeowner-led associations. Although historically presented to an individual, the 2014 Byron Hanke Award was presented to the entire 2014 Community Association Volunteers Committee—Dr. Robert Rothwell (chair), Julie Hardy Cramer (chair-elect), Sharon Brimer, John Connors, David Holt, Robert Riddick, CMCA, and Judy Silva. They were recognized for their support of the complete renovation of CAI's homeowner education course, now called the Board Leadership Development Workshop. Award of Excellence in Chapter Leadership Mickel Graham, PCAM, vice president of strategic marketing and industry relations at Union Bank, was honored with the Award of Excellence in Chapter Leadership. The award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to advance national-chapter relations, and provided support and guidance to chapter leaders. Author of the Year Jesse Howard Witt, Esq., principal of The Witt Law Firm in Boulder, CO., was recognized as Author of the Year. His filings on behalf of CAI in multiple cases have helped raise the profile of CAI's amicus curiae (friend of the court) program nationally and strengthened CAI's role within Colorado's community association and legal communities. Recruiter of the Year Kevin McGrath, PCAM, president of Benjamin Cobrin & Company, a management company in the Delaware Valley, was named Recruiter of the Year. A dedicated volunteer and member of the Pennsylvania/Delaware Valley chapter since 1966, McGrath recruited 25 new members in 2014 and actively supported CAI membership campaigns. President's Award, Foundation for Community Association Research Clifford Treese, CIRMS, received the Foundation President's Award. An active contributor and member of the Foundation's Research Committee, he serves as the lead researcher and content manager for the Community Association Fact Book, the most comprehensive collection of community association data ever compiled. "These award winners and many more like them among CAI's membership are essential to our continued growth, influence and success," says CAI chief executive officer Thomas Skiba, CAE. "Our national and chapter staff members are talented, hard-working professionals, but they can only accomplish so much. Like any membership association, we depend on the expertise and dedication of members to volunteer their time and skills to make CAI the organization it is. We cannot thank them often enough." With more than 33,000 members dedicated to building better communities, CAI works in partnership with 60 chapters to provide information, education and resources to community associations and the professionals who support them. CAI's mission is to inspire professionalism, effective leadership and responsible citizenship—ideals reflected in communities that are preferred places to call home.