Press Releases

ICMA Announces Representatives From CFC International, CardLogix and H.W. Sands Earn ACE Accreditation

Results Bring Total Accredited Members To 16

PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ – May 13, 2009 – The International Card Manufacturers Association (ICMA), a global non-profit association for card manufacturers, personalizers, issuers and suppliers, announced three more members have earned the Advanced Card Education (ACE-M) accreditation. The program recognizes the knowledge, experience and dedication of leading professionals throughout the card manufacturing industry.

The first designation, ACE-M, covers general card manufacturing; future designations include ACE-A (advanced technologies), which will be released within the coming year, and ACE-P (personalization). To date, 16 have successfully passed the exam. The following are the most recent members to earn the ACE-M designation:

• Walter Floyd
  Account Manager
  CFC International

• Jason Prince
  Operations/Production Manager
  CardLogix

• Mike Sovich
  Product Manager
  H.W. Sands Corp.

Individuals earn the ACE designation by demonstrating an in-depth knowledge of card manufacturing processes through the completion of a rigorous exam. The accreditation validates expertise and distinguishes employees as experts in the card manufacturing industry. Applicants must be working for an ICMA member company and have a minimum of three years of industry experience in order to take the test.

The ACE examination evaluates the skills and knowledge of card manufacturing professionals and is comprised of eight key sections: Substrates, Inks, Adhesives, Printing, Collation, Lamination, Die-cutting and Standards/Testing. Individuals must score minimum proficiency in all eight areas in order to pass the exam.

“The ACE program allows our members to distinguish themselves as seasoned and knowledgeable professionals throughout the card manufacturing industry as well as help them stay competitive in the marketplace especially during such difficult times,” said Al Vrancart, ICMA Industry Co-Founder and Industry Advisor.  

The following members also earned ACE accreditation: Derrick Celewicz, Versatile Card Technology; Shannon K. Crawford-Taylor, CFC International; Bob Cristinzio, CFC International; Julie Hermanson, PSA; Guy Meeker, CPI Card Group, Inc.; Barry Mosteller, Oberthur Technologies of America Corp.; Matthew O’Connell, Arthur Blank & Co., an ABNote Co.; Mark Powell, Giesecke & Devrient (OH); Del Reyes, Giesecke & Devrient (OH); Mike Sabatini, Perfect Plastic Printing; Daniel Szumski, CFC International; Eric Virostek, Giesecke & Devrient (OH) and Jim Ward, Allegheny Plastics Inc.

The next testing dates are:

September 18, 2009
In conjunction with the ICMA U.S. Workshop in Schaumburg, Illinois

September 30, 2009
In conjunction with the ICMA MEA Workshop in Dubai (Tentative)

October 19, 2009
In conjunction with the ICMA Europe Workshop in Rome


For more information on the ICMA ACE accreditation, or to learn how to become an ICMA member, call (609) 799-4900; e-mail info@icma.com or visit the ICMA website at www.icma.com.

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About ICMA
Based in Princeton Junction, NJ, USA, ICMA is a non-profit association of plastic card manufacturers, personalizers, issuers and related industry participants. With more than 240 members globally, the ICMA acts as a clearinghouse for industry issues, including the production, technology, application, security and environmental issues of plastic cards. Visit www.icma.com for more information.

Editor’s Note: JPEG images are available upon request. Please contact Meghan Higgins at 609-297-2218 or email MHiggins@icma.com.