Press Release
For Immediate Release
March 27, 2008
Contact: Meredith Craig
(972) 906-7441
meredith.craig@iaam.org
www.iaam.org
International Association of Assembly Managers Announces Robyn
Williams, CFE, is Recipient for Ray W. Ward Award
Coppell, TX—The International Association of Assembly Managers
(IAAM) announces the selection of Robyn Williams, CFE, Executive
Director of the Portland Center for the Performing Arts, Portland, OR
for the Ray W. Ward Award, presented by the Board of Regents of the
Public Assembly Facility Management Schools (PAFMS). The award will be
presented to Williams at this year’s school which takes place May
31-June 6 at the Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, WV. The school began 22
years ago with the generous support of the International Association of
Assembly Managers Foundation. The announcement was made by Regents
Chair, Robert J. Hunter, CFE.
The honor is awarded by the Board of Regents to recognize an individual
associated with the school, whose dedicated service and extraordinary
contributions over a period of at least six years have resulted in
significant and long-lasting improvements to the overall success and
quality of the school. The award was created in 1996 to honor Ray W.
Ward, CFE and was presented to him that year.
In announcing the selection, Hunter commented, “Robyn is a natural
choice for this distinguished award, given her long-standing commitment
to the school. She excelled and quickly made an impact as an instructor
and continued making significant improvements to the overall program
during her year as the Chair of the Regents. Today she remains one of
the most popular instructors at Oglebay. Her warm natural ability to
communicate effectively as an instructor is always well received and
makes for an informative exchange with her students.”
Ward expressed his pleasure with Williams’ selection, stating, “I’m very
pleased that Robyn is has been selected for the award. Like those before
her, she demonstrates great leadership and accomplishments. She
continues to share her time and talent at Oglebay while serving IAAM as
a senior officer. I look forward to her IAAM presidential year in
2008-2009 as a great time for association and especially its programs in
education and professional development. We are all fortunate to benefit
from her talent, knowledge and skills.”
Williams said, when notified of her selection, “Wow! What a wonderful
way to begin a week.” She further commented “The Public Assembly
Facility Management School at Oglebay is one of the best programs
offered by IAAM. Teaching at the school and having the opportunity to
serve on the Board of Regents with some of the most talented and
creative folk in our industry has been–and continues to be-one of the
best experiences in my career. I am so deeply honored to receive this
award. This totally rocks!”
Robyn received a BA in technical theater from Western Illinois
University and did graduate work at Texas Tech University. She has
managed performing arts facilities for more than twenty-five years. Very
active in IAAM, she has chaired the Performing Arts Committee, the first
Performing Arts Facility Management Seminar and served on the Board of
Directors as a Director at Large and First Vice President. She chaired
the Hoist Safety Task Force and was an inaugural member of IAAM’s Safety
and Security Task force formed in response to the events of September
11, 2001. She served eight years as a member of the PAFMS Board of
Regents including four on the Executive Committee.
Other previous awardees include: Frank Roach, Professor, University of
South Carolina; William L. Koegler, Jr., Director of Development,
Oglebay Foundation; Dennis R. Magruder, CFE, Executive Director
WestBanco Arena; Don Hancock, PhD, CAE, IAAM Director of Research &
Development; Jay S. Green, CFE, Director Phoenix Convention Center;
Kevin Twohig, CFE, General Manager, Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena and
Executive Director Spokane Pubic Assembly District; Scott Williams, CFE,
General Manager, EnergySolutions Arena, Robert J. Hunter, CFE, Executive
Vice President Venues & Entertainment, Maple Leaf Sport &
Entertainment/Air Canada Center; Brad Mayne, CFE, President and CEO,
American Airlines Center/Center Operating Company and Chris Bigelow,
FCSI, CFSP, President, The Bigelow Companies.
About the International Association
of Assembly Managers (IAAM)
The International Association of Assembly Managers is the world’s
largest professional association dedicated to issues relevant to the
management of public assembly facilities. Members of the association
manage public assembly facilities such as arenas, amphitheaters,
convention centers/exhibit halls, performing arts venues, stadiums and
university complexes; or provide products, services or attractions to
support the industry. IAAM has more than 3,700 members worldwide. More
information is available at www.iaam.org.
About the IAAM Foundation
The IAAM Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization
established in 1982 that has granted more than $2.8 million in funding
for professional development, education, research, and best practices
development to ensure the safety and advancement of the public assembly
venue industry. The mission of the IAAM Foundation is to increase the
positive impact and vitality of the public assembly industry by funding
research, education, and resource development.
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