The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors has recognized Cathy Balkcom and Kristine Buckles, CAE, with the association’s most prestigious honor in association management: the C. Carney Smith Award. Balkcom is the executive director of NAIFA-Tennessee and Buckles is the executive director of NAIFA-New Jersey and a regional contractor for NAIFA-Illinois.

“Congratulations to Cathy Balkcom and Kristine Buckles as the recipients of the 2017 C. Carney Smith Award,” said NAIFA President Paul Dougherty, FSS, LUTCF. “Both Cathy and Kristine have attained an exceptional level of career and personal success, which has proven invaluable to NAIFA. They are truly deserving of this award.”

The C. Carney Smith 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 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. Recipients are chosen by their peers, who strive to select executives who embody the very best of what NAIFA stands for: education, involvement, integrity and service to others.

Balkcom’s notable achievements include:

• She works tirelessly to educate members and prospects about the value of NAIFA, as well as to renew lapsed members.
• After reviewing the expenses of her association, she was able to reduce expenses, with significant savings of several thousands of dollars.
• She graduated from LILI in 2007 and in the absence of the Committee Chair, worked with moderators and recruited students for the class.

Buckles’ notable achievements include:

• She is a LILI graduate and a Certified Association Executive (CAE).
• She has shown NAIFA-New Jersey better ways to approach association management. The association now has money in reserve, expense controls, a steady income and a bright future.
• Her management skills and ability to bring volunteers together contributed greatly to the success of NAIFA-New Jersey’s Annual Meeting.

Both executives will receive the award at the Leadership Luncheon during NAIFA’s Performance + Purpose 2017 Conference in Orlando this September.