The Regional Association Council (RAC) announced today that Jonathan Riegel, MAS, executive director for the Specialty Advertising Association of Greater New York (SAAGNY), is the recipient of the 2016 Donna Hall Memorial Grant. The award presentation will take place during the opening reception and dinner at the 2016 RAC Leadership Development Workshop in Grapevine, Texas, on October 18.

Created by the RAC Board in 2013, the Donna Hall Memorial Grant honors the memory of Donna Hall, who served as executive director of the Michigan Promotional Professionals Association (MiPPA). Funded by RAC, the Donna Hall Memorial Grant provides regional association executive directors the opportunity to advance their education and careers by providing financial support to attend education conferences and events.

“Donna Hall was a tremendous person and a friend and I am honored to receive this grant named in her memory,” says Riegel. “When I was first hired by SAAGNY, Donna was always there to answer a question or lend some advice when asked. It is only fitting that RAC offers the Donna Hall Memorial Grant to help regional association executive directors further our association management knowledge. Thank you to RAC for this great opportunity—it is very appreciated.”

Riegel was selected from a pool of executive directors who applied for the grant, and was chosen by a four-person advisory group. He will receive up to $1,500 in tuition and travel expense reimbursement to attend education and professional development workshops and events.

Riegel is the third recipient of the Donna Hall Memorial Grant. Previous winners are LaDonna Belcher (OPPA) and Dana Geiger, CAS, (CPPA and VAPPA).