•    The Georgia Society of Association Executives (GSAE) has honored Joe Brannen, CAE, of the Georgia Bankers Association, with the Clifford M. Clarke Award, the organization’s highest honor. Brannen was given the award at the group’s December 16 holiday luncheon and awards show.

•    The GSAE also elected a new board of directors. Officers starting their term this month include Ragan Cohn, CAE, of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, as chair; Karl Kirsch, CAE, of Meeting Expectations, as chair-elect; Lori Spear, CAE, of the Southern Association of Independent Schools, as immediate past-president; and Jim Moody, CAE, of the Construction Suppliers’ Association, as treasurer.

Directors include Niel Dawson, of the Atlanta Chapter of the Independent Electrical Contractors; Rick Doyle, of the Synthetic Turf Council; Jim Fowler, CAE, of the Kellen Company; Aubie Knight, of the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia; Mike Pennington, of the Georgia Economic Developers Association; Megan Rutter Branch, CAE, of the Bobby Dodd Institute; Pete Tinsley, CAE, of the Association for Information Systems; and Clark Thomas, CAE, of the Georgia Psychological Association.

Corporate directors are Beth Robinson, of the Macon-Bibb County Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Christopher O’Donnell, of the Crowne Plaza Hilton Head Island Beach Resort, Atlanta sales office.

The GSAE Foundation’s board of trustees for 2010 includes Chris Valley as chair; Debbie Hackman, CAE, as chair-elect; Charles Hall as past-chair; Gabriel Eckert, CAE, as treasurer; and Karl Kirsch, CAE, as the GSAE board representative.

•    The New England Society of Association Executives is scheduled to hold its Annual Management Conference January 21–22 at the Sheraton/Boston. The event plans to include education sessions and speakers, networking opportunities, exhibits and a “traffic-enhancing bingo card.”

•    The Texas Society of Association Executives, together with the Texas Hill Country Chapter of Meeting Professionals International and the Central Texas Chapter of the International Association of Exhibitions & Events, is scheduled to hold its 2010 Southwest Showcase on February 4 at the Austin Convention Center. The day-long event is slated to include an educational breakfast, two keynote speakers and a 175-booth trade show.

•    The Arizona Society of Association Executives held its Holiday Gala & Awards Dinner on December 8 at the Carefree Resort & Villas in the town of Carefree. Award winners included Carol Stambaugh, CAE, of the Arizona Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, who was named Executive of the Year.

Awards of excellence went to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools, for communications; the Arizona Sunbelt Chapter of Meeting Professionals International, for creative funding; the Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association, for education; the Arizona Association of Community Managers, for external affairs; the Arizona Broadcasters Association, for membership; and the Arizona Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, for cutting edge.

The Arizona SAE also elected Paul Mortensen of the Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association as its president for 2010.