SPRINGFIELD, IL – Mark Mathewson, of Springfield, Director of Publications for the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), received the E.A. “Wally” Richter Leadership Award from the National Association of Bar Executives (NABE) at the organization’s annual workshop of bar association communicators on October 21 in Nashville, Tenn.

The Richter Award is the NABE Communication Section’s highest honor and is presented for outstanding achievement in the field of communications, extraordinary service to colleagues in NABE, and distinguished leadership of the communications section.

Mathewson is the 29th recipient of this recognition. A certified association executive (CAE), he served for a number of years on the leadership council of the NABE Communications Section, which has more than 200 members, culminating in chairing the section in 2007-2008. He has also designed, moderated, and been a speaker for various seminars, and now serves on the programming committee of NABE. Mathewson was earlier recognized by his peers nationally with the NABE Peer Excellence Award.

The 33,000-member ISBA, with offices in Springfield and Chicago, provides profession services to Illinois lawyers, and education and services to the public.