TEAM GAWDA

When GAWDA members think about their association staff, they naturally picture only those staff members they see at the convention or those with whom they have direct contact on the phone or through e-mail: Malvenia Avery, Kate Cole, Jaime Lloyd and me. This is like thinking about the Philadelphia Eagles and only being able to name Reggie Brown, Brian Westbrook, Donte Stallworth and Donovan McNabb. Although they are key players and critical to the success of the team, the Eagles would not be the “BEST TEAM IN THE NFL” if it were not for the rest of the offensive and defensive rosters. (My apologies to everyone who mistakenly thinks their team is the best.)

Meet some of the members of TEAM GAWDA who work behind the scenes. From left: Kristen Olszewski, Bonnie Carneglia, Vicki Goodyear, Connie Hill and Kathy Mautz.

The same can be said about the more visible members of the GAWDA staff: We could not be successful without the rest of the outstanding Fernley & Fernley team behind us. During the average month, more than 16 Fernley & Fernley staffers provide direct service to GAWDA. Everyone from Connie Hill, the director of first impressions/receptionist at the front desk, to Brian Fescoe, the webmaster, have a role in fulfilling GAWDA's mission and providing benefits to its members.

Although Mal, Kate, Jaime and I are directly dedicated to and work full time on GAWDA, we are in fact employees of Fernley & Fernley and operate under a management contract. The other members of TEAM GAWDA regularly work on GAWDA projects, but also provide services to the rest of Fernley & Fernley's clients. This management model provides the maximum staffing at the minimum price by spreading overhead and support staff costs across the full range of clients.

Fernley & Fernley is America's first association management company and was founded in 1886. An association management company (AMC) is a professional service company that specializes in providing management services for associations on a fee-for-service basis. AMCs provide the professional staff, administrative support, office space, technology and equipment an association needs to operate efficiently. An association management company typically manages several associations from one company location, providing a wide range of benefits, including shared technology systems, access to expert specialized staff, and shared purchasing power.

Today, Fernley & Fernley provides a complete range of strategic and operational management services to 30 nonprofit organizations, including trade associations, professional societies, industry and cultural alliances, and foundations. Our management philosophy focuses on developing a partnership with each association built on trust and integrity. This trust is very evident in the 60-year partnership between GAWDA and Fernley & Fernley.

Fernley & Fernley staff perform a host of duties on GAWDA's behalf, including Member Services, meeting planning and Web site development. From left: Pete Michener, Lynn Doosey, Brian Fescoe, Margaret Harris, Denita Newborn and Anthony Digneo.

The following are some of the Fernley staff who make up TEAM GAWDA:

Brian Fescoe is the man behind the GAWDA Web site. He is responsible for the latest redesign, making the Web site talk to the iMIS database, and for keeping the Web site up-to-date. He is involved with GAWDA projects such as the new podcast feature and exploring new and more efficient ways to market and maintain the site.

Bonnie Carneglia is the accounts receivable coordinator in the accounting department. She processes GAWDA dues payments and Gives Back contributions, makes deposits, prepares invoices, puts order payments through and files paperwork.

Lynn Doosey processes registrations for GAWDA's meetings and keeps us all in supplies.

Margaret Harris is our meeting coordinator. Margaret has been with Fernley & Fernley for six years. She processes GAWDA's meeting registrations and payments, as well as creates the badges and registration lists for our meetings.

Anthony Digneo handles GAWDA's incoming and outgoing UPS shipments and U.S. mail, as well as fulfilling product orders from members for items such as hazmat placards.

Denita Newborn assists Jaime with meeting planning duties, including facilitating site selection and planning meetings.

Kristen Olszewski is the GAWDA insurance administrator. She manages all the enrollment and claims paperwork and contacts with members who belong to the Insurance Program. Kristen also processes the GAWDA financials and GAWDA Insurance financials, as well as completes the monthly bank statements.

Facing Down Mother Nature Learn more about TEAM GAWDA, including little-known facts about Executive Director Kent Van Amburg, Director of Membership and Marketing Kate Cole, Administrative Director Malvenia Avery and Meeting Planner Jaime Lloyd.

Kathy Slater, Vicki Goodyear, Dennis Polsz and Pete Michener are in the Membership Services Department. This department handles all database inquiries and administrative tasks not related to dues and meetings. They coordinate all new and prospective member mailings, directory updates, directory proofing, changes of address, blast e-mails and custom reporting. The team also resolves all problems that arise with communications, such as e-mail bounce backs due to incorrect e-mail addresses and mail that is returned to us.

Kathy Mautz is the head of the Meeting Department. She works with GAWDA in site selection to find appropriate hotels to hold the SMC and Annual Convention in the cities selected by the Board. She assists the executive director in preparing the Requests For Proposals and in negotiating the final contracts.

Peter Surrena is Fernley's graphic designer and responsible for developing meeting logos and the design and layout of our registration brochures and conference programs.

Taylor Fernley is the president & CEO of Fernley & Fernley and the Management Liaison for GAWDA. Taylor is the fourth generation to preside over the company. His wide range of responsibilities includes marketing and new business development.

These are a just a few of the Fernley & Fernley staff who work behind the scenes and contribute to making TEAM GAWDA the best association management team.

TEAM GAWDA also includes the Industry Consultants who provide the members advice and expertise on issues such as safety compliance, medical gases, EPA regulations, FDA and OSHA requirements, and DOT audits. An article highlighting our consultants and the contracted services they provide can be read here.

So, the next time you think about your association staff, picture the complete TEAM GAWDA, not just the Four Horsemen!