History

In 1977, Cal Clemons founded Clemons & Associates, Inc. in Baltimore, Maryland as a sole proprietorship. The company’s primary business at that time was, and continues to be, association management. Clemons & Associates, Inc. was incorporated in 1982 in the state of Maryland.

An Association Management Company is a professional service firm that provides executive, administrative and financial management; strategic planning; membership development; public affairs and lobbying; education and professional development; statistical research; meetings management; trade shows; and marketing and communication services. The firm also serves as a strategic advisor and consultant, and provides management and headquarters services to international, national, regional, state and local nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations.

The company grew in its early stages and managed organizations in fire protection; pet products distribution; offices products distribution; wholesale distribution; shoe service and repair and insurance fraud investigators. Clemons & Associates, Inc. was able to respond to the computer era via a veteran-preference Small Business Administration (SBA) loan and purchased an IBM System 36, and, as a result, became a very competitive company within the Association Management industry.

In 1984, Cal Clemons received the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation. The Certified Association Executive program is designed to elevate professional standards; enhance individual performance; designate association professionals who demonstrate the knowledge essential to the practice of association management and stands as a mark of excellence and has evolved to reflect what it takes to manage an association in today's challenging climate.

Clemons was elected president of the Maryland Society of Association Executives (MSAE) in 1986. He served as a director of the Association Management Company Institute (AMCi) and as a chairman of the Association Executives Council of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW).

Crista LeGrand joined the company in 2000 as an account executive and senior advisor.  She was responsible for obtaining new clients and restructuring the company to reflect the changing workforce and telecommuting. 

In 2001, Clemons & Associates, Inc. was accredited by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). ASAE's Association Management Company Accreditation program was designed to elevate professional standards and designate firms that demonstrate the knowledge essential to the practice of association management. In 2007 the leadership of the ASAE and AMCI announced joint support for a single accreditation program based on the more rigorous accreditation program. The ASAE announced at that time that their program would end in 2010.  In 2010, C&A earned the AMC Institute Accreditation.  Administered by AMC Institute, AMC Institute Accreditation is recognized and supported by ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership and is based on the ANSI Standard of Good Practices for the AMC Industry. ANSI requires that the standard be reviewed and updated regularly to remain an approved standard. Measurable performance practices include contracts and service delivery; employee recruitment, training and professional development; and financial management and internal controls, among others. AMCs must earn re-accreditation every four years, demonstrating to an independent outside auditor that they continue to meet the standard. 

Crista LeGrand became majority stockholder and was named President/CEO in 2008.  Cal Clemons was elected Chairman of the firm.