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AMPED - Association Management Partners & Executive Directors announces that Michelle Czosek has earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE^®) credential from the American Society of Association Executives CAE Commission.

Czosek has nearly 25 years of experience managing a variety of professional and trade associations. She enjoys collaborating with clients to find innovative ways to assist them in reaching their organizational goals in regard to education, events management, membership and governance. Czosek holds a B.A. in political science from the University of Illinois.

“Michelle is a consummate professional with many years of experience. She provides strategic advice and sits ‘at the table’ with our client boards who respect her and admire her warm approach with members and leaders,” said Lynda J. Patterson, FASAE, CAE, owner of AMPED. “In my mind she has always been a ‘CAE’ – This confirms what I already knew!”

The CAE program serves to elevate professional standards, enhance individual performance, and designate those who demonstrate knowledge essential to the practice of association management.

To earn the CAE credential, candidates must first submit an application satisfying professional experience and education requirements. Successful applicants must then pass a challenging examination on all aspects of association management. Candidates undertake rigorous study sessions in preparation for the exam, and only those who are able to achieve the passing score earn the CAE credential. Once earned, the certification must be renewed every three years through additional studies and leadership activities.

Association Management Partners & Executive Directors (AMPED) is very proud to announce that team member Marechiel Santos-Lang has been selected to be a member of the 2015-2017 class of Diversity Executive Leadership Program (DELP) scholars for the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). DELP is a prestigious two-year program that recognizes individuals from under-represented identity groups who demonstrate exemplary leadership skills and a commitment to advancing the association community. The twelve scholars selected for this class will participate in an accelerated leadership program of education, mentoring and volunteer service in the association community.

“I am impressed by ASAE’s commitment to support diversity and to provide opportunities to under-represented groups so that we may access professional education and a deep network of strong leaders,” said Santos-Lang. “Having over a decade of association management experience, but not much exposure to continuing education, I know I will benefit greatly from DELP’s benefits.”

The DELP Program recognizes exemplary leaders
from under-represented groups in association management

During the two-year program, DELP scholars will experience membership and volunteer service in ASAE; registration to ASAE’s Annual Meeting & Exposition and two other ASAE education programs selected by the DELP scholar, including travel and lodging; waiver of the Certified Association Executive (CAE) examination fee; and access to industry leaders who could serve as career coaches or mentors.

In her role at AMPED, Santos-Lang serves as associate director of the Americas Committee for Treatment & Research in Multiple Sclerosis and executive director of the Environmental Design Research Association.

Association Management Partners & Executive Directors (AMPED) has been designated and certified as a Woman-Owned Business Enterprise. The certificate was bestowed by the State of Wisconsin and the Department of Administration Division of Enterprise Operations in April 2015. 

Association Management Partners & Executive Directors (AMPED) is pleased to be named a winner of a 2015 Dane County Small Business Award (DCSBA). The award celebrates small businesses and the contributions they make to the Dane County community and economy.

"I am personally honored to be recognized with this award," says Lynda J. Patterson, FASAE, CAE, AMPED owner and CEO. "It reflects our commitment, not only to the community, but also to our employees. AMPED provides a responsible, fun and rewarding workplace environment. But it is the teamwork of all our employees that make our company and the services we provide a success."

AMPED will be honored at a breakfast program on June 4 at the Sheraton Madison Hotel along with nine other DCSABA winners.

Association Management Partners and Executive Directors (AMPED), an accredited full-service association management company (AMC) based in Madison, Wisconsin, has been selected to manage the Environmental Design Research Association Inc. (EDRA). 

AMPED's mission is to perfect operations and accelerate growth for the associations they manage, by creating a true partnership with them.

The purpose of EDRA is to advance the field of environmental design research in both its scientific and applied forms. EDRA encourages the highest quality of research related to improving environmental design methods and techniques, as well as increasing understanding of the social and behavioral aspects of relationships between people and environments. EDRA has over 500 members.

“EDRA’s AMC Search Committee was impressed by AMPED’s strong team that not only provides good support to their clients, but good support to each other. As a medium-sized firm, AMPED is able to provide all the benefits and services of a fully-accredited AMC, as well as provide personalized service to all of their clients” said Shauna Mallory-Hill, EDRA Board of Directors chair. “AMPED came to us with enthusiasm and clear ideas of how to make our organization and membership experience even better, and we cannot wait to get started,” she added.

AMPED’s Marechiel Santos-Lang has been named executive director of EDRA. Santos-Lang has experience providing leadership and program management for national and international medical, trade and scientific associations. “I am really looking forward to having Marechiel Santos-Lang as the new Executive Director of EDRA. In addition to being an experienced association management executive, she exudes a high level of professionalism, persistence and positive energy. I have no doubt that she will get the job done, no matter how difficult the task,” Mallory-Hill commented.

For more than a decade, Santos-Lang has helped organizations grow membership, raise revenue through dues and meetings, and train and manage volunteers. She has helped leaders achieve personal and group excellence. In addition to EDRA, Santos-Lang is also the associate director of the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS).

“EDRA is an international, interdisciplinary organization founded by architects, landscape architects, interior designers, engineers, technologists, social scientists and facility managers committed to facilitating the creation and stewardship of environments that are responsive to human needs and that improve overall quality of life and place,” Marechiel Santos-Lang, EDRA’s new executive director, said. “What I love about association management and EDRA is that I am able align my personal values and make use of my professional experience to help advance a mission centered on people. Nothing is more rewarding than doing a job that won’t feel like one because your personal convictions meld with it. This new partnership is exciting for us. We get to work together with the EDRA leadership, volunteers and members to provide a strong association management structure, deepen member engagement and nurture organizational growth,” she added.

In addition to EDRA, AMPED’s client community also includes the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, Control System Integrators Association, National Association of Professional Allstate Agents, Society of Wetland Scientists, and Wisconsin Society of Association Executives. Volunteer leaders can focus on advancing their association and its mission with confidence, knowing that management and operations are in experienced hands. AMPED’s services include membership management, governance, financial management, website development and maintenance, conference planning and management, communications and strategic planning.