The Accredited Chamber Executive (ACE) designation was established in 1993 for the following purposes:

• To encourage chamber executives to continually upgrade and expand their skills by continuing their education and training related to the chamber management field.

• To encourage Chamber boards to recognize chamber professionals and provide funding for formal training for their executives.

• To encourage local chamber executives to strive for professionalism and seek formalized training in their field and contribute actively to the betterment of their industry.

• Minimum of 35 points (See application pdf file)
  Must be a graduate of Academy or the Institute for Organization Management or have served as a chamber chief executive officer for five years or more.

• Must be a member in good standing of W.A.C.E. for at least two year.
  Must be the chief paid executive of a chamber or a non-CEO staff professional with definite executive management responsibilities.

• Attendance at all meetings/conferences referred to on application must have been during the last five years.

• Ability to verify all of the above.
   

• Those applicants meeting the criteria established by the W.A.C.E. board will be recognized at the Annual Conference in February.

Reaccrediting will be required after every five years and an appropriate lapel pin shall be awarded at the Annual Conference after each reaccrediting. (See Reaccreditation Application) Criteria for reaccrediting shall include:

• Five (5) years service as the chief paid executive of a chamber of commerce since first accredited.

• A minimum of 35 points from professional development training.

• Willingness to author an approved article for publication in W.A.C.E.'s "Chamber Insider" on a current chamber issue, trend or program.

The following chamber executives, who are still active in the chamber profession and are current members of W.A.C.E., have earned the ACE designation:

Maureen Aldridge - Claremont CA
Lisa Batto - Napa CA
Judith Bean - Arroyo Grande CA
*Laurel Brent-Bumb - El Dorado County CA
Bob Canter - Emeryville CA
Leslie Carnes - Pendleton OR
*Lorraine Clarno - Beaverton OR
**Barbara deBoom - Palm Desert CA
Jessica French - San Benito County CA
**Dave Garth - San Luis Obispo CA
Mary Guardiola - Oakdale CA
***Randy Gordon - Long Beach CA
Susan Graf - Boulder CO
***Wayne Griffin - Catalina Island CA
Tallia Hart - Irvine CA
*Brad Hicks - Medford OR
*Cathy Kennerson – El Centro CA
*Lisa Krueger - Lake Havasu City AZ
Jill Lagan - Boulder City NV
*Heidi Larkin-Reed - Orange CA
Nancy Lindholm - Oxnard CA
Matt Mahood - Sacramento CA
**David Maurer - Prescott AZ
Charise McHugh - Half Moon Bay CA
*Debra Moreno - Bakersfield CA
Debbie Newman - Laguna Niguel CA
*Leigh Nixon - Simi Valley CA
**David Nydegger - Oceanside CA
*Ken Oplinger - Bellingham WA
Deanna Palm - Hillsboro OR
***Wilda Parks - North Clackamas County OR
Tom Pierson - Federal Way WA
**Scott Raty - Pleasanton CA
*Cindy Roth - Riverside CA
Diane Schwenke - Grand Junction CO
Amy Sherman - The West Chamber CO
*Janet Steele - Albany OR
Frank Strazzarino - Redding CA
Marnie Uhl - Prescott Valley AZ
**Nancy Vanyek - Greater San Fernando Valley CA
Rick Winsman - Kelso-Longview WA

bold - new ACE recipients in 2011

* Received 5-year re-accreditation
** Received 10-year re-accreditation
*** Received 15-year re-accreditation

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