OVERLAND PARK, KAS. — Kerwin Brown, president and chief executive officer of BEMA, has been designated as a certified association executive (C.A.E.) by ASAE — The Center for Association Leadership. The C.A.E. is the highest professional credential in the association industry. According to ASAE, it is “designed to elevate professional standards, enhance individual performance and designate association professionals who demonstrate the knowledge essential to the practice of association management.” Gaining certification requires at least three years of experience in nonprofit organization management, at least 100 hours of specialized professional development and successful completion of an examination in association management. To maintain certification, ongoing professional development as well as activities in association and nonprofit management are required. Currently, about 3,900 of 22,000 ASAE members hold C.A.E. certification. ASAE represents more than 11,000 organizations across the United States and in about 50 countries worldwide.