June 26, 2012, WASHINGTON, D.C. – ASAE announced that Kevin Lynch, president and CEO of National Industries for the Blind (NIB), has earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE®) credential. The CAE is the highest professional credential in the association industry. Less than five percent of all association professionals have earned the CAE.
To be designated as a Certified Association Executive, an applicant must have a minimum of three years of experience in 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. There are 3,900 association professionals who currently hold the CAE credential. The CAE program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
Mr. Lynch’s career at NIB and at some of its associated agencies spans more than 30 years. NIB and its associated nonprofit agencies serve as the largest employer for people who are blind, employing more than 6,100 people who are blind.
“We are extremely proud of Kevin in reaching this extraordinary achievement. The CAE exam is a comprehensive test that covers 10 key areas: strategic management, planning and research, leadership, administration, public policy/government relations, knowledge management, governance, membership, programs/products/services and public relations,” said Gary Krump, chairman of the board, NIB. “We’re proud of his success and salute him for his achievement.”
About The Center for Association Leadership (ASAE) www.asaecenter.org
ASAE is a membership organization of more than 21,000 association executives and industry partners representing 10,000 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.
About National Industries for the Blind (NIB) www.nib.org
NIB is a nonprofit organization focused on its mission to enhance the opportunities for economic and personal independence of persons who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining and improving employment. NIB and its network of 90 nonprofit associated agencies nationwide serve as the largest employer for people who are blind by the sale of SKILCRAFT® and other products and services through the AbilityOne Program, established by the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act.
Contact:
Laura Reimers
Vice President, Communications
703-310-0453
lreimers@nib.org