President’s Award

By Stephen J. Mastro, CPM, AACPM President
smastro@csum.edu

The President’s Award was created by the Academy on May 22, 1999, as a means to publicly celebrate the service and accomplishment of an informal leader within the organization. As outlined in SOP Section 25.00, the selection is made by the current AACPM President and approved by the sitting Board of Directors. Any active member may be considered based on the following activities:

• Materially improving an Academy program or initiative on behalf of the membership and in consultation with the Board
• Going the “extra mile” by setting aside time to significantly help the Academy deliver its member services
• Volunteering through membership rather than by virtue of being on the Board
• Demonstrating sound leadership and communicating effectively with all interested parties
• Sustaining focus and energy in these efforts over a minimum twelve- month period

Joanne Robertson (center) pictured with Florida committee members Colleen Miller and Diana Chadwell

On September 22, Joanne Robertson, CPM, Customer Service Manager for the Lee County Florida Tax Collector, was named as the 2009 President’s Award recipient. The presentation was made by Stephen J. Mastro, 2009 AACPM President, to Joanne during the annual Academy Awards banquet and was witnessed by her agency administrator, fellow conference committee team members, colleagues, and conference participants.

Joanne led the 2009 Florida Conference Planning team that did the front line work for in the 21st Annual AACPM Educational Conference in Orlando, Florida, September 18-23, 2009. This effort was begun over two years ago, long before the rapid downturn in the economy. When faced with the projected effects of such economic challenges, those with lesser commitment might have asked to be relieved of this great responsibility,  Joanne willingly took on the challenge, communicating options to the boards of the AACPM and Florida society. She brought together the talent needed to negotiate a reduction in the hotel room nights specified in the original contract, thus creating the potential for a break-even scenario anticipated due to lower conference attendance.

The leadership she provided to her core team resulted in an efficient, coordinated effort with all details assigned and carried out. She dealt with constant change from various partners. She communicated with a vision for success even with those who did not share her optimism. She negotiated with speakers and vendors to ensure all needs were met with the most frugal use of resources. During the conference she was in constant communication with the hotel staff to ensure events went smoothly. She did all this in a collegial manner with a cheerful, yet professional, disposition.

© Copyright 2009, American Academy of Certified Public Managers®