Community Management Industry Pioneer Mike Packard's Love for Teaching Unwaivered after 35 Years

DALLAS, July 22, 2016 -- Mike Packard is a senior vice president at Associa, the industry's largest community management firm. He is one of the top executives at his company, but more noteworthy is the fact that he is celebrating his 35th year as a teacher and mentor for the Community Associations Institute (CAI).

In the late 1970s, after four years of service in the United States Air Force, Packard began his community management venture when the industry was still in its infancy. In 1981, he taught his first CAI course and, 35 years later, he's still going strong.

"Mike has represented CAI as an instructor across the U.S. and around the world for the past 35 years, helping thousands of community managers advance their careers," says Community Associations Institute CEO Tom Skiba. "He is truly a global ambassador for our profession."

"I began with a thirst for knowledge and now I see that same thirst in the young professionals getting their start in this business," says Packard. "I've taught coast to coast throughout the United States and in 10 different countries. I'll keep doing it because I enjoy giving back to an industry that has given so much to me."

Some consider him the "godfather" of the community management industry and all agree that he is at least one of its forefathers, having been one of the first 20 people to attain CAI's coveted Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM) designation. Today more than 1,800 association management professionals have earned PCAMs, many of them under the tutelage of Mr. Packard. He imparts his knowledge through courses covering facilities management, communications, leadership, governance, risk management and financial management.

"I take a lot away from each experience and I take pride in seeing community managers recognized for their professionalism," explains Packard. "I like to draw students into the learning process because I've noticed that students learn best in an interactive environment."

Today, CAI has more than 32,000 members compared to 2,000 when Packard joined in 1981. The number of U.S. residents living in common-interest communities has grown from nine million to almost 70 million in that timeframe.

Packard reflects, "The sophistication of students has increased dramatically but the desire to learn will always remain, and I plan to continue to teach as long as I am physically and mentally capable."

Building and managing successful communities for more than 37 years, Associa is the worldwide leader in community management with over 10,000 employees operating more than 180 branch offices in the United States, Mexico, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and South Africa. Based in Dallas, Texas, our industry expertise, financial strength and innovation meet the unique needs of clients across the world with customized services and solutions designed to help communities achieve their vision. To learn more about Associa and its charitable organization, Associa Cares, go to www.associaonline.com or www.associacares.com.

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A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=40908

CONTACT: Billy Rudolph
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