NAMA’s Lindsey Nelson Earns Certified Association Executive Credential

Chicago – (February 5, 2015) -- NAMA has announced that Lindsey Nelson, Executive Director of the NAMA Foundation, has earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE^®) designation. The CAE is the highest professional credential in the association industry. 

“We congratulate Lindsey on this well-deserved designation,” said Carla Balakgie, NAMA President and CEO. “She is an important part of our senior team and this recognition signifies the breadth and scope of her association expertise.”

Lindsey has eight years of association management experience, including roles of increasing responsibility in exhibit sales, operations and business development.   She began her career in pharmaceutical sales with Johnson & Johnson and holds a degree in Communications Studies from Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana.

To be designated as a Certified Association Executive, an applicant must have a minimum of three years experience with nonprofit organization management, complete a minimum of 100 hours of specialized professional development, pass a stringent examination in association management, and pledge to uphold a code of ethics. To maintain the certification, individuals must undertake ongoing professional development and activities in association and nonprofit management. More than 4,000 association professionals currently hold the CAE credential.  The CAE Program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

ASAE is a membership organization of more than 21,000 association executives and industry partners representing 9,300 organizations. Its members manage leading trade associations, individual membership societies and voluntary organizations across the United States and in nearly 50 countries around the world. With support of the ASAE Foundation, a separate nonprofit entity, ASAE is the premier source of learning, knowledge and future-oriented research for the association and nonprofit profession, and provides resources, education, ideas and advocacy to enhance the power and performance of the association and nonprofit community. For more information about ASAE, visit www.asaecenter.org.

Founded in 1936, NAMA is the association representing the $42 billion U.S. vending and refreshment service industry.  With more than 1800 member companies – including many of the world’s most recognized brands – NAMA provides advocacy, education and research for its membership. Visit NAMA on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.