The 2023 Association Excellence Awards (AEA) Individual Winners were announced during the Association Management Conference, held from Aug. 20-22 in Salt Lake City. The Individual AEA is an annual program designed to recognize Executive Officers' outstanding accomplishments in association management.
This year, Michele Leppard, Jessie Spradley, Kathy Raab, and Russell Davis were honored in four distinct award categories for their career achievements and dedication to the home building industry.
**Small Office Honor**
Michele Leppard of the Metropolitan Builders & Contractors Association of New Jersey received the Small Office Honor. The award is traditionally presented to an EO from a small association who has made exceptional accomplishments despite limited resources.
HBA members noted that Leppard takes pride in her work, gets along with members, and goes above and beyond to help them. As EO, she’s described as the HBA’s biggest supporter who wants everyone to be successful.
**New Executive Officer Award**
Jessie Spradley of the Northeast Florida Builders Association (Jacksonville, Fla.) received the New Executive Officer Award. This award is given to an EO who has served no more than three years in an association management position but has made major contributions to the profession during that time.
Spradley has fostered an environment of open communication according to HBA members. He brings the team together for a common goal and membership has increased under his leadership.
**Executive Officer of the Year Award**
Kathy Raab, CAE, CNAP, of the Metropolitan Builders Association of Greater Milwaukee (Wisc.), won this year’s Executive Officer of the Year Award. This award honors a dedicated EO whose actions, commitments, and accomplishments in a single year have been exceptional.
Under Raab's leadership, her association achieved membership growth and increased member retention while spearheading an initiative to recruit young professionals.
**Career Achievement Award**
Russell Davis of the Home Builders Association of Alabama was honored with this year's Career Achievement Award. This award pays tribute to EOs who exemplify dedication, loyalty, and commitment at the highest level and is considered the highest recognition awarded by the Executive Officers Council.
Davis was hired as an EO in 1984 and established the Alabama Home Builders Self Insurers Fund within his first year. The fund now provides workers’ compensation coverage to over 5,000 members statewide. He also led efforts to create a small group health insurance program for members—a highly sought-after benefit within HBA.
Nominations for next year's AEA Individual Awards will be accepted at year's end on their webpage where further details can be found.