4 Communication World • July–August 2012 www.iabc.com/cw

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Congratulations to fourexceptional memberswho have been named

the recipients of IABC’s annualrecognition awards. The awardswere slated to be presented atthe opening general session ofthe IABC World Conference inChicago in June.

IABC Fellow AwardLongtime members BarbaraPuffer, ABC, and John Clemons,ABC, APR, are the newestIABC Fellows. The highesthonor the association can bestowon a member, the IABC FellowAward acknowledges outstand-ing leadership, professionalaccomplishment, and service to

IABC and the profession.Selection criteria include contri-bution to the field of organiza-tional communication; careerachievement; authorship, speak-ing and lecturing; contributionto IABC; and other professionalrecognition for community andbusiness-related activities.

There are few areas in whichPuffer hasn’t been involved sinceshe joined IABC in 1974. Shewas chair of the IABC ResearchFoundation in 1997 and RegionDirector of the Year in 2009.She also has served on numerousboards: the IABC/Connecticutchapter in the 1970s; U.S.District 1 board, 1985–1990;accreditation council/commit-

tee, 1984–1995; and the inter-national executive board, 1985–1989. She has served as anaccreditation examiner for theHeritage Region, and is also amember of the Heritage RegionConference and Foundationadvisory committees.

“I am overwhelmed with grat-itude to be named Fellow, to bein the company of so manyesteemed colleagues, mentorsand friends,” said Puffer. “It’san understatement to say thatthis international associationopens a world of opportunity.For 39 years, my personal andprofessional IABC friendshipshave enriched my knowledgeand expertise at every turn ofmy career. Thank you. I intendto continue paying that giftforward.”

Meet this year’s IABC award winners

save the datesfor this year’s regional

conferencesSouthern Region Conference

26–28 SeptemberCharleston, South Carolinahttp://2012.iabcsoreg.com

Heritage Region Conference 14–16 October

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvaniahttp://heritageregion.iabc.com

Canada Region Conference1–3 November

Ottawahttp://canada.iabc.com

/conferences-and-events/2012-conference-in-ottawa

IABC Fellow Barbara Puffer, ABC: “It’s an understatement to say thatthis international association opens a world of opportunity.”

IABC Fellow John Clemons, ABC,APR: “This is the ultimate honor.”

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During Clemons’ long tenurewith IABC, he has served inmultiple roles, including chairin 2001. He has served as amember of the executive com-mittee, director of the executiveboard and a trustee on theResearch Foundation board. HisIABC time has been spent inchapters such as IABC/Tampaand IABC/Atlanta (where heserved on the chapters’ boards),as well as IABC/Chicago andIABC/DC Metro. He served asthe association’s interim execu-tive director for the first half of2012 until a full-time executivedirector was brought on board.

“This is the ultimate honor—to be recognized by a globalassociation that for more than20 years has helped me growpersonally and professionally,”said Clemons. “As I join theprestigious community of IABCFellows, I will do my best tocontinue to uphold the higheststandards of professional com-munication, and seek new waysto give back to our associationand its members.”

Chairman’s AwardAdrian Cropley, ABC, the2011–2012 chair, has selectedClaire Watson, ABC, APR, andMary Hills, ABC, as the recipi-ents of the Chairman’s Award.Each year, the IABC chair hon-ors one or more members whohave worked selflessly behindthe scenes to enhance the associ-ation’s image, facilitate memberdevelopment and benefit the

communication profession. Anycurrent member who hasbelonged to the association forat least five years is eligible forthe award.

Watson, from the Regina,Saskatchewan, chapter, has beeninvolved in numerous programsduring her 19 years as an IABCmember. An accredited memberherself, she has been heavilyinvolved with accreditationexam and portfolio reviews.Recently, Watson led the devel-opment of a comprehensivetraining program for Gold QuillAwards volunteers and hasimplemented several grouptraining sessions. She has alsospent time on the Regina chap-ter board in numerous roles,and has served as director ofnational programs and sponsor-ships since 2009.

“Claire’s work across multipleIABC programs, especially theGold Quill Awards, accredita-tion and most recently her

efforts on developing and rollingout certification training forawards, has shown staggeringresults in setting the standardfor awards,” said Cropley.

“When I think of the thou-sands of worthy volunteersaround the world who con-tribute to our association andour profession,” said Watson,“I’m very grateful to receive thisaward. It is a great honor, but

Among other accomplishments,Chairman’s Award winnersClaire Watson (left), ABC, APR,led the development of a com-prehensive training program forGold Quill Awards volunteers,and Mary Hills, ABC, championedthe Corporate AccreditationProgram globally.

visit world conferenceconnectionsView videos of the 2012 WorldConference sessions, includinginterviews with attenders, speak-ers, award winners and more,on the Connections site athttp://connectionsiabc.com.

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6 Communication World • July–August 2012 www.iabc.com/cw

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not a solo accomplishment. Thecredit is shared with all those I’vemet along the way who openeddoors, encouraged me, believedin me, trusted me and stood formy success. Without those spe-cial people none of this wouldbe possible.”

Hills has administered andgraded accreditation exams,reviewed portfolios, and createdmany presentations aboutaccreditation for IABC con-ferences. The one-time directorof accreditation and directorof strategy for the Chicagochapter, Hills started theAccreditation Completion Pro-gram for IABC/Chicago in2003, bringing in graduatesof the program to serve along-side her. She co-authored theValue of Accreditation study in2007 and the accreditationtoolkit materials in 2008. Hillswas director of marketing forthe accreditation council atthat time, serving a three-year

term before becoming thecouncil’s vice chair and laterthe 2010–2011 chair.

“I am honored and humbledto be included among the groupof distinguished professionalswho have received this award,”said Hills. “Our industry hasseen amazing evolution in thepast 30 years. It has been a priv-ilege to work with IABC as wediscover the undeniable impactcommunication has on organi-zational success.”

Said Cropley: “Mary’s workwith the accreditation programfrom the chapter to the inter-national level, particularly cham-pioning new initiatives like theCorporate Accreditation Pro-gram globally, has allowedaccreditation to grow and trulybe the global standard for com-munication professionals.”

Meyers named2012–2013 board chair Kerby Meyers takes the helmas the new chair of IABC’sinternational executive board.Meyers has more than 20 yearsof professional writing andediting experience, and excelsat generating copy that edu-cates, informs and enlightens

audiences ranging from clientsto employees to investors.

With a knack for distillingcomplex concepts into concisecopy, Meyers specializes in thefinancial services and renew-able-energy industries. Hiscompany, The Communica-tions Refinery Inc., celebratedits 10th anniversary in June2010. Meyers has served innumerous leadership roleswith IABC/Colorado, includ-ing a stint as chapter presidentin 2007–2008. He holds abachelor of science degree injournalism from the Universityof Wisconsin–Madison.

Incoming board officers tobe ratified at conferenceThe following slate of officersfor the incoming internationalexecutive board was put forthby the current executive boardand was expected to be ratifiedby chapter and region delegatesat the Annual General Meetingheld at the World Conferencein Chicago in June:l Vice Chair Robin McCasland

(automatic succession to2013–2014 chair)

l Director Michael Ambrozewicz

last call for proposalsfor 2013 conferences

Proposals for presentationsfor IABC’s 2013 professional

development events, includingthe World Conference, are being

accepted through 15 July. Visitwww.iabc.com/education/cfp

for submission details.

mark your calendar11 July Web seminar: The Power of Framing: Challenging theLanguage of Leadership6 September Workshop (Kansas City, Kansas): StrategicCommunications Workshop20–21 September Conference (Calgary, Alberta): EmployeeCommunication Conference26–28 September Conference (Charleston, South Carolina): SouthernRegion Conference4–5 October Workshop (Washington, D.C.): Writing Workshop14–16 October Conference (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania): HeritageRegion Conference1–3 November Conference (Ottawa): Canada Region Conference12–13 November Conference (New York City): 2012 IABC & PRIMEResearch Communication Research and Measurement Conference

For more information about these and other events, go towww.iabc.com/education.

Kerby Meyers brings more than 20 years of writing and editing expe-rience to his role as 2012–2013 international executive board chair.

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l Director Terry Cerisolesl Director Vita Kernel, ABCl Secretary/Treasurer

Jeff Bishop (in a second termin this role)

Read more about the newofficers at http://news.iabc.com.

Earn IABC accreditationin Melbourne, AustraliaIABC has partnered with RoyalRoads University to offer theweeklong Executive Accredita-tion Seminar (EAS) for the firsttime in Australia. The EAS pro-gram combines the elements ofthe traditional IABC accredita-tion process with the Leadership

Development Challenge, whichleverages the experience, respon-sibilities and strategic planningskills of advanced practitioners.

The seminar will be held 11–16 November in Melbourne.The application deadline is 14July. For more information, visitwww.iabc.com/abc/eas.htm. l

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join us!If you haven’t already startedusing social media to connectwith IABC, find us here:

www.facebook.com/IABCWorld

www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=58441

www.twitter.com/iabc

looking aheadThe nomination processfor the 2013 EXCEL Awardbegins in October. Visitwww.iabc.com/awards/excel.htmfor details.

IABC has named Irene Lewis,president and CEO of SAIT Poly-technic in Calgary, Alberta, its2012 Excellence in Communi-cation Leadership (EXCEL) Awardwinner. The association’s high-est award given to a non-mem-ber, the EXCEL Award recog-nizes individuals who exhibitstrong leadership in fosteringexcellence in organizationalcommunication. Contributionsto communication includeachievements such as initiating,directing, supporting or sustain-ing outstanding communicationprograms. Lewis was scheduledto accept the award at the IABCWorld Conference in Chicago.

“Irene has not only set themanagement direction andstrategic vision for SAIT, she hasmotivated 2,300 employees totranslate that strategic directioninto reality,” said Priya Bates,chair of the EXCEL committee.“She has also mobilized a vastcommunity of supporters—stu-dents, alumni, industry partnersand government funders—through her superior commu-nication skills and her commit-ment to sharing and shaping theSAIT story. The selection com-

mittee appre-ciated Irene’scommitmentto communi-cation and herimpact onSAIT’s reputa-

tion and growth. She is involvedin a wide variety of issues anduses communications wisely toengage relevant stakeholders.What made Irene stand out wereher international experience,long-term vision, authenticity,personal involvement and out-standing business results.”

Lewis became president andCEO of SAIT in 1998 and hashelped the organization becomeglobally recognized as a leaderin energy and petroleum train-ing and as a trailblazer in appliedresearch and innovation. Underher leadership, SAIT’s annualemployee survey has shownsignificant improvements inemployee satisfaction, leadingit to be named one of Alberta’stop 50 employers by MediacorpCanada Inc. in both 2010 and2011, and one of Alberta’s BestWorkplaces by Alberta Ventur emagazine in 2010. Lewis wasnamed one of Canada’s most

powerful women in 2010 by theWomen’s Executive Network.

Lewis’s leadership impacthas been significant: nearlyCDN$1 billion in campus revital-ization; enhanced programofferings; increased revenue andenrollments; and a renewedenthusiasm among SAIT’semployees to be “part of thejourney.” She was instrumentalin bringing the internationalWorldSkills competition toCalgary in 2009.

Prior to joining SAIT, Lewiswas president of a college inEdmonton and led its transitionto an independent board-governed institution. She alsoworked in Singapore for morethan five years, where she hada central role in shaping thatcountry’s vision for workforcedevelopment. She has writtentextbooks, hosted an educa-tional television series, andtaught in primary, secondaryand postsecondary systems.

Lewis will retire from SAITat the end of this year, leavinga legacy benefiting generationsof future students. Look for aninterview with her in the Sep-tember–October issue of CW.

Irene Lewis of SAIT Polytechnic to receive EXCEL Award