Distelhorst joined MIA in 2006 as Accreditation Manager and was promoted to Communications Director in April 2010. He previously served as Revenue Manager for Destination Resorts Snowmass in Snowmass Village, CO. A resident of Lakewood, OH, Distelhorst holds a bachelor’s degree from Miami University and graduated from the ASAE Leadership Academy in August 2010.

MIA’s Executive Vice President/CEO, James Hieb, who is also a CAE commented, “very few small staff associations can boast of having multiple staff members who have earned the CAE credential. This is a great accomplishment for Garen and a tribute to the stone industry that he serves.”

To be designated as a Certified Association Executive an applicant must have a minimum of three years experience in nonprofit organization management, complete a minimum of 100 hours of specialized professional development, pass a stringent examination in association management and pledge to uphold a code of ethics. To maintain the certification, individuals must undertake ongoing professional development in association and nonprofit management. The CAE program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).