WASHINGTON— Four influential leaders in the association community have been named to ASAE's 2014 Class of Fellows. The Fellows program recognizes individual accomplishments and contributions to ASAE and the association sector, and it is a call to service for the profession.

“Each year, the selection committee receives nominees who serve as leaders, mentors, and speakers that help raise awareness about the impact associations play in our daily lives and society around us,” said Beth W. Palys, FASAE, CAE, president, Management Solutions Plus Inc, and chair of ASAE’s Fellows Selection Committee. “This year, we had a larger number of qualified leaders, which made the selection more difficult. The ASAE Fellows program is an honorary recognition bestowed upon less than one percent of ASAE’s membership representing the best of the association community. I’m pleased to welcome this year’s class of entrusted leaders to the Fellows community.”

The Class of 2014 includes:

• Elena Gerstmann, CAE
  Senior Director, Enterprise Planning & Development
  IEEE
• Jefferson C. Glassie, Esq.
  Partner
  Whiteford, Taylor, and Preston LLP
• Sheri L.  Jacobs, CAE
  President and CEO
  Avenue M Group LLC
• Joseph M. McGuire, CAE
  President
  Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers

The 2014 Fellows join 243 association industry professionals who have received this designation since the program's inception in 1986. Serving as role models and ambassadors for the association community, Fellows seek out opportunities to serve on boards and committees, and by participating as speakers, authors, reviewers, and mentors.

The Fellows selection process includes endorsement by a peer; an in-depth application describing the individual's innovation, leadership, and commitment to the profession; an interview with a member of the selection committee; and selection from among a group of highly-qualified candidates.

For more information about ASAE’s Fellows program, visit www.asaecenter.org/fellows.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sabrina Kidwai, APR, CAE, skidwai@asaecenter.org, 202-326-9505.

About ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership

ASAE is a membership organization of more than 21,000 association executives and industry partners representing 10,000 organizations. Its members manage leading trade associations, individual membership societies and voluntary organizations across the United States and in nearly 50 countries around the world. With support of the ASAE Foundation, a separate nonprofit entity, ASAE is the premier source of learning, knowledge and future-oriented research for the association and nonprofit profession, and provides resources, education, ideas and advocacy to enhance the power and performance of the association and nonprofit community. For more information about ASAE, visit www.asaecenter.org