2007 ESSAE Distinguished Member of the Year Award Bestowed upon Richard Poppa, CAE, AAI

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ALBANY, NY (02/19/2008)(readMedia)-- The Empire State Society of Association recently awarded Richard Poppa, CAE, AIA its 2007 Distinguished Member of the Year Award. This award recognizes an association professional, and active ESSAE member, who has provided all around leadership both within his or her association and to the field at large.

Poppa is completing his 29th year in the association management profession, having received his CAE designation in 1984 and his AAI designation in 1991. He has been active in his professional organizations throughout his career having been elected President of the Indiana Society of Association Executives in 1983 and serving in a variety of roles with the American Society of Association Executives including his term on the Board of Directors from 2006 to 2009. Poppa has been active in, and supportive of, ESSAE since he arrived in New York and has served on the Board of Directors as Secretary, as a Dean and presenter for the ESSAE Association Leadership Academy.

Poppa has worked diligently for his own associations as well as advancing the profession of association management. He has thrice received (1996, 2006 & 2007) his national association’s (IIABA) Presidential Citation for exceptional service. He has also been honored with IIABNY’s Distinguished Service Award. He also tries to give back to the profession through his work as a planning facilitator and board leadership trainer. Poppa serves on the IIABA Planning Committee and Constitutional Review Task Force. He has facilitated planning for more than 50 different organizations including Life’s WORC (a public service agency on Long Island), InVest, NYSAPLS, Skaneateles Chamber of Commerce, the First Presbyterian Church of Skaneateles and individual insurance agencies.

Poppa has also been very active with his alma mater, Ball State University. He received the Benny Award for distinguished service to the university, has taught a session on business ethics to students in the Miller College of Business, is a Ball State Fellow and serves on the National Philanthropy Council.

ESSAE comprises nearly 600 association and supplier members, and represents executives employed by trade, business and professional associations. ESSAE is committed to providing its members a means to exchange ideas and encourages high professional standards through educational forums, publications, industry resources and networking luncheons. ESSAE is affiliated with The American Society of Association Executives, whose headquarters is in Washington, D.C.