Kellen News
For Immediate Release:
Cara Clinton
Kellen Communications
212-297-2109
cclinton@kellencompany.com
ALFONS WESTGEEST NAMED TO ASAE 2006 CLASS OF FELLOWS
Alfons Westgeest
New York (June 13, 2006) — Alfons Westgeest, Managing Partner of Kellen Europe, has earned the distinct honor of being named to the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and The Center for Association Leadership 2006 class of Fellows. Westgeest was among only six applicants to be awarded this prestigious title.
Westgeest was selected based on his 25-year career in association management, during which he has served associations in the transport, energy, construction, consumer products, information technology and engineering sectors. Currently, he is managing partner of Kellen Europe, a division of one of the world’s largest association management companies, Kellen Company. From Kellen’s office in Brussels, Belgium, Westgeest oversees a team of 25 professionals providing professional services such as association management, government affairs, public relations, strategic advice, creative communications and web-site development to associations and individual companies.
"We are extremely proud that Alfons has been recognized by ASAE as a leader in forming and shaping European and US-based, as well as global associations," said Peter Rush, president and CEO of Kellen Company. "Kellen Europe has grown and flourished under Alfons’ management."
ASAE comprises almost 22,000 association executives and industry partners representing nearly 11,000 organizations. The Center for Association Leadership is the leading provider of learning, future focused and strategic research and knowledge resources and community that challenge association professionals.
The selection process for the Fellows includes nomination by a peer, an in-depth application describing the individual’s innovation, leadership, and commitment to the association profession, a telephone interview with a member of the selection committee of their peers and selection from among a group of highly qualified individuals.
"The Fellows play an important role within ASAE and The Center and the larger association community, encouraging innovation and risk-taking in their own organizations and through the work that they do serving on ASAE & The Center’s committees, task forces, councils and boards, and allied organizations," said Jeff Morgan, CAE, Executive Vice President, The Institute for Financial Markets and 2005-2006 Fellows Chair. "These are truly the leaders, thinkers and doers of our global association community."
Nearly 200 men and women have received the designation of ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership Fellow since the program’s inauguration in 1986. All areas of the association community are incorporated in the selection process, including association executives, consultants, association management company executives, hospitality executives, as well as technology and business service providers.
"I believe in uniting the world through associations that transcend boundaries of residence, religion and wealth," said Westgeest. "The ASAE and The Center provide an excellent body of knowledge and spirit, and I am honored to serve as a Fellow."
Westgeest holds a degree in commercial and European law from Leyden University in The Netherlands. He is a board member of the European Society of Association Executives (ESAE) and a 15-year member of ASAE. He was Chairman of ASAE’s International Section and Committee and served on the first ASAE Board residing outside of North America from 1999-2002.
The 2006 Fellows will be recognized during ASAE & The Center’s Annual Meeting & Exposition in Boston, August 19-22, 2006.About Kellen Company: Founded in 1964, Kellen Company provides association management, government affairs, public relations, meetings management, creative communications, Web site development and other professional services to associations, as well as individual companies and other organizations. Kellen serves more than 10,000 companies and 100,000 professionals worldwide, either through its more than 100 client associations or directly, from offices in Atlanta, Washington, D.C., New York City, Tucson and Brussels. For more information, visit www.kellencompany.com