Culver City Chamber of Commerce executive Colin Diaz, IOM, was recognized as an Accredited Chamber Executive (ACE) by the Western Association of Chamber Executives (W.A.C.E.). Diaz was awarded accreditation this year at the association’s annual conference in Glendale, Ariz. The designation is awarded to only those chamber executives and staff professionals who meet stringent criteria set by the association’s board of directors. “I am extremely honored to join the less than 2% of our Industry that are active Accredited Chamber Executives (ACE),” Diaz said. ”I have always been a proponent of continued education and thank my various Chambers for supporting my endeavors in that arena.” The accreditation program was first awarded in 1993 to encourage chamber executives to upgrade and expand their skills through continuing education and training programs in the chamber management and business fields. There are currently a total of 22 ACE recipients active in chambers of commerce in the West. In order to receive this designation, Chamber Executives needs to complete WACE’s Academy (3-year Training Program for a new era of Chamber Management), graduate from the U.S. Chambers Institute for Organizational Management (a multi-year course of study consisting of 48 hours of nonprofit instruction focusing on professional growth and development) earning an IOM designation, complete several Industry Trainings, Webinars and Conferences, as well as pass a test related to industry practices. Recipients of the Accredited Chamber Executive (ACE) must apply for re-accreditation every five years in order to retain the designation. “This designation also means that I have an ongoing obligation to encourage and support my staff to continue their education and training, as well as use the tools received through this process to increase the economic vitality of the communities I serve,” Diaz said. W.A.C.E. is an association of approximately 795 chamber executives and staff professionals with members in 21 western states and Canada.