NAIFA has recognized Kim Kieschnick with the association’s most prestigious honor in association management: the C. Carney Smith Award. Kieschnick has served as the executive director for NAIFA-Austin (Texas) since 1997.

“Congratulations to Kim Kieschnick, NAIFA’s 2016 C. Carney Smith Award recipient,” said NAIFA President Jules Gaudreau, ChFC, CIC. “Kim’s 19 years of hard work and dedication have proven invaluable to NAIFA-Austin and our entire federation. She is a worthy recipient of our most prestigious association management award.”

Kieschnick is the 41st recipient of the C. Carney Smith Award. The award was created to honor the legacy of C. Carney Smith, CLU, who served as the National Association's Executive Vice President for 15 years, ending in 1978. Established in 1976, the C. Carney Smith Award promotes the advancement of professionalism in the field of association management among NAIFA state and local associations. Through the years, it has come to symbolize a lifetime achievement award for association executives. The recipient is chosen by his or her peers, who strive to select an executive who embodies the very best of what NAIFA stands for: education, involvement, integrity and service to others.

“Kim’s ability and contagious enthusiasm for NAIFA –Austin, translates into an appeal to the younger generation, while still appealing to our more seasoned members,” said Davin Bell, 2015-2016 president of NAIFA-Austin. “Make no mistake, Kim is the catalyst for our current and future growth.  Her dedication to the mission and deep appreciation for the history of NAIFA, serves as a genuine example to all future leaders.  The members here in Austin, Texas, are in more than capable hands with Kim, and we offer her well-deserved congratulations on this very special recognition!”

Her notable achievements include:

• Kieschnick has developed multi-year strategic goals and a successful step-by-step business plan for NAIFA-Austin.
• Kieschnick devised creative cost-cutting measures and streams of non-dues revenue that have kept NAIFA-Austin fiscally sound, even during economic downturns.
• Kieschnick has led numerous workshops at NAIFA-Texas conferences and NAIFA association Executives Conferences on such topics as technology and communications.
• Kieschnick currently serves as a mentor to a NAIFA Association Executive and has previously mentored three other NAIFA executives.

Kieschnick will receive the award at the C. Carney Smith Award Reception to be held Friday, Sept. 16th at 6 PM as part of NAIFA’s Performance + Purpose 2016 Annual Conference in Las Vegas.