Association for Associations Exec Honored for 20 Years

Related Media

ALBANY, NY (02/18/2011)(readMedia)-- Penny Murphy, CAE, was honored for twenty years as president & CEO of the Empire State Society of Association Executives, Inc. (ESSAE) by the leadership and members of the organization at its Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet in Albany last week.

Coined the "Association for Associations," ESSAE is a statewide not-for-profit association dedicated to serving the professional needs of those who work for, or otherwise serve, trade, business and professional associations in New York State. Among the many offerings of the organization is the Association Leadership Academy, which has garnered national recognition for its innovative approach to fostering association leaders.

Murphy has been involved in the management of associations since 1980, when she began her career with the New York Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. In 1986, she joined the staff of the Visiting Nurse Association of Albany and was subsequently hired by Nurick & Benedict, Inc. in 1988 to assist in the management of several association clients. She was appointed as the first executive director of ESSAE in 1991, after having managed the society for the two years prior for Nurick & Benedict, Inc.

"Having been raised in a family of fifteen children, I believe I was born to manage a membership society." Murphy said. "The benefit of serving the nearly 600 members of ESSAE is that it is very similar to a large family. I have been privileged to both help and learn from a community of generous, sharing and considerate people who are all devoted to helping New York's communities. It has been a privilege to devote my 30 year career to the association management profession."

Murphy received the national designation of Certified Association Executive (CAE) in 1997. The CAE demonstrates a high level of knowledge, ethical fitness and leadership in the field of association management.

In addition to managing a staff of three, Murphy has provided strategic planning and other association management consulting services to many associations over the last decade, including the NYS Speech Language Hearing Association, Interior Designers for Legislation in New York, Learning Disabilities Association of New York State and School's Out Inc. She has served two terms on the Board of Directors of the Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau, and is a member of ESSAE's national affiliate, the American Society of Association Executives, located in Washington D.C.

Born in Troy, NY, Murphy is married with three adult children, two of whom work for NYS associations.