Since 1976, Association Management, Ltd. (AML) has provided leadership and professional management services through experienced staff, best practices and shared resources. AML partners with international, national, regional and state association clients. AML is an AMC Institute internationally accredited association management company (one of only 70+ accredited companies worldwide).

AML currently provides management solutions for association clients including international, national, regional, and state associations. The AML staff team currently serves over 500 company members and 5,000 individual members from 57 countries. The company's personnel have 100+ combined years of association experience in all facets of organizational management to provide member services. AML’s vendor partners are innovative, reputable, dependable and affordable and value the AML business relationship.

AML’s mission is to manage the business of your association so you can achieve your organization’s mission and vision.

AML’s vision is to be recognized as the preferred association management company demonstrating best practices in association management, with experienced staff and shared resources.

AML achieved international accreditation in 2009 through the AMC Institute (the international trade association of the association management company industry) and is an active member of the Association. AMC Institute accreditation is American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved for standards of measurable performance practices, ensuring AML clients that AML operates with the highest level of professionalism and exceeds industry requirements.

ANSI requires an independent outside auditor to review measureable performance practices: contracts, service delivery, employee recruitment, training and professional development, financial management, internal controls, and systems and processes.

AML takes a team approach with staff. Cross-training and communication is critical to our successful staffing structure.

Molly Lopez, CAE, President

Molly Lopez became the President of AML in 1999 and owned the company for 11 years. She began her career in association management in 1991 and has become a nationally recognized resource in the industry.

Molly handles marketing, managing day-to-day operations of AML, maintaining client retention and seeking new business development.

Molly’s areas of expertise include: association management, global trends analysis, public speaking, business development, marketing, human resources, leadership development, volunteer management, meeting planning, and communications.

• Earned her MS in Professional Studies/Higher Education Administration and BA in Leisure Studies/Commercial Recreation from Iowa State University.
• Received her Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives in 2002.
• Involved member of the Iowa Society of Association Executives, American Society of Association Executives, AMC Institute, Greater Des Moines Partnership and the National Association of Women Business Owners.
• International Conference Speaker at AMC Institute conferences. (2001 – Present).
• Association Management Council Vice Chair (2010 - 2011), Chair (2011 - 2012) for the American Society of Association Executives.
• Association Management Council Editor of AMC Connections newsletter for the American Society of Association Executives (2008 – 2009).
• Association Management Council Representative for the American Society of Association Executives (2002 – 2006, 2008 – 2010).
• Honored as a Des Moines Business Record’s Central Iowa - Forty Under 40 Class member.
• National Rural Economic Developers Association President’s Award Recipient (2008).
• Actively participates in a monthly CAE Breakfasts with peers.

Darcy Watson began her career in association management in 1987 as an Associate Meeting Planner and Database Administrator for a national association.

Darcy joined AML in 1990 as an Associate Director. Throughout her tenure, she has served in various roles, including Executive Director and Executive Vice President for a state association, Trainer and Webmaster. Now, as AML’s Information Technology Manager, Darcy is focused solely on meeting the technology needs of AML and its association client partners.

Darcy’s areas of expertise include: strategic technology planning, Website development and maintenance utilizing HTML and various content management systems, database programming and management, report programming and integration of emerging technologies.

• Earned her BA in Marketing/Merchandising from Iowa State University.
• Received her Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives in 2004.
• Iowa Society of Association Executives Technology Roundtable Speaker (2009)
• Graduated from the Iowa Society of Association Executives’ Inaugural Leadership Class.
• Member of the interNational iMIS User’s Group.
• Member of the American Society of Association Executives.

Kelly Kipping started her career in association management and customer service in 1990.

She worked for AML from 1990 – 1993, relocated to Missouri for several years where she worked in office management, and then relocated back to Iowa in 1998 to rejoined the AML team.

She has served as an Account Executive for many AML clients. Her in-depth understanding of associations and experience as Account Executive make her uniquely qualified for her current role as Member Services Administrator for all of AML’s association client partners.

Kelly’s areas of expertise include: developing efficient and cost-effective programs, financial and office management, technology, and organizational management.

• Earned her BS in Textile and Apparel Design from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
• Iowa Society of Association Executives Leadership Class Graduate.
• Member of the American Society of Association Executives.

Lynn Harkin started her career in non-profit and volunteer management in 1986. Prior to joining AML in 2001, Lynn worked in fundraising for Orchard Place-Child Guidance Center and United Way of Central Iowa.

Lynn currently serves as Executive Director for the National Rural Economic Developers Association (NREDA) and Professional Developers of Iowa (PDI), and as Administrative Director for the Iowa Taxpayers Association (ITA).

Lynn’s areas of expertise include: board and volunteer management, strategic planning, communications, global trends analysis, board orientation and training, fundraising, group facilitation and meeting planning.

• Earned her AA in Business Administration/Accounting from AIB College of Business and BA in Marketing from Upper Iowa University.
• Certified in Volunteer Management from the Des Moines Area Community College.
• Iowa Society of Association Executives Leadership Class Graduate.
• Active Member of the Iowa Society of Association Executives.
• Graduate of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute.
• Member of the American Society of Association Executives.

Heather Tamminga started her career in association management in 1998 as a Communications Director for a state association.

In 2005, Heather joined AML as an Account Executive. She currently serves as Executive Director for the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI), the Iowa Water Well Association (IWWA) and the Iowa Defense Counsel Association (IDCA), and as publications Editor for the interNational Association of Lighting Management Companies (NALMCO).

Heather’s areas of expertise include: leadership and volunteer management, strategic planning and visioning, print and e-publications, membership services, education program development, and meeting and event planning.

• Earned her BA in Journalism/Mass Communications and BA in International Studies from Iowa State University.
• Received her Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives in 2007.
• Graduate of the Iowa Society of Association Executives Leadership Class.
• Active Member of the Iowa Society of Association Executives.
• Iowa Society of Association Executives Board Member (2009 – 2011), Program Chair (2010 – 2011), Vice Program Chair (2009 – 2010), Program Committee (2008 – 2009).
• Actively participates in a monthly CAE Breakfast with peers.
• Member of the American Society of Association Executives.

Ali Ryan, Account Executive

Ali Ryan started her career in association management in 2005. She also taught in China and maintained a small business prior to joining AML in 2008. Her passion for understanding new cultures, coupled with her degrees in Spanish and Education, make her a unique asset to the AML team.

Ali currently serves as Executive Director for the Midwest Association of Colleges and Employers (Midwest ACE) and the interNational Association of Lighting Management Companies (NALMCO). Ali also serves as the Chapter Relations Director for the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI).

Ali's areas of expertise include: membership services, leadership and volunteer management, education program development, strategic planning and visioning, global trends analysis, print and e-publications, and meeting and event planning.

• BA from St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, in Spanish and Education.
• Active Member of the Iowa Society of Association Executives.
• Iowa Society of Association Executives Leadership Class Graduate.
• Member of the American Society of Association Executives.

Kim Johnson, Meeting Management Specialist

Kim Johnson started her career at AML in 2010. With her entrepreneurial spirit and experience in meeting planning, she is an important part of the AML team.

Kim currently serves as Meeting Planner for the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI), the interNational Association of Lighting Management Companies (NALMCO), and the National Rural Economic Developers Association (NREDA).

Kim’s areas of expertise include: meeting and events planning, conference budgeting, coordinating volunteer committee activities, convention management, facilitating vendor partnerships, hotel contract negotiations, venue logistics administration, creative menu planning, and maintaining speaker arrangements.

• Earned her BA in Behavioral Science from Wilmington College, Dover, DE.
• Active Member of Meeting Professionals International – Heartland Chapter.
• Member of the American Society of Association Executives.

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