In his nearly four decades at the NNA, Valera initiated virtually all of the Association's major programs that today dominate the arena of Notary education and support services. They include the nation's only annual Notary Conference, the most comprehensive nationwide seminar and workshop program for Notaries, a unique Notary telephone "Hotline" service, and an expanding curriculum of online, video, CD-ROM and home study programs. Valera established several certification programs, including one for Notary Signing Agents to meet the evolving demands of the real estate and refinance markets. He also established specialized sections within the NNA membership to allow in-depth training in particular Notary-related fields.

The NNA's close work with The Hague Conference in the Netherlands and the U.S. Department of State on electronic apostilles has gained worldwide recognition, facilitated by Valera's tireless efforts and travels to improve communications and expand alliances with the 67-country International Union of Latin Notariats.

The Association's two flagship member publications — The National Notary magazine and the Notary Bulletin newspaper — were founded by Valera, and he continues to serve as Editor and Publisher for both. He has been instrumental as well in the conception and publication of over 30 titles for Notaries, including how-to texts, reference books, law primers and study guides.

Among Valera's greatest achievements at the NNA are two influential, landmark sets of standards: The Uniform Notary Act of 1973, and its successors, the Model Notary Acts (MNA) of 1984 and 2002, and The Notary Public Code of Professional Responsibility. The MNA has become the preeminent resource for legislators and state officials to draw from in modernizing their Notary laws, while the Code is considered the definitive ethical guide for Notaries in the United States.

Valera was also an advisor to the American Bar Association's important Uniform Law on Notarial Acts Drafting Committee.

To implement his vision to professionalize Notaries and their office, Valera formed the National Notary Group, which comprises the non-profit National Notary Association and National Notary Foundation, which he founded in 1997, and several related technological, manufacturing, insurance and publishing corporate entities to provide a variety of services for Notaries both in the United States and abroad.

Before beginning his career with the NNA, Valera had been successful as an editor in the newspaper field, as well as in marketing and public relations, founding a media and consulting firm for several major clients, including the National Notary Association. He attended Los Angeles City College and California State University Northridge, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism.

Valera is an active alumnus at the University and serves on several CSUN boards, including the Journalism Alumni Association, the University Alumni Association, the Dean's Circle, the President's Associates, the President's 21st Century Club, and the Imagine the Arts Campaign Development Committee for the University's major new Performing Arts Center project.

With more than two decades of experience in marketing, financial management, corporate leadership and operational planning, Gurnick’s role as Chief Executive Officer positions the NNA to fully maximize current and future opportunities brought about by emerging technologies.

A veteran executive with extensive experience in high level marketing and organizational management, Gurnick became only the third person in the Association’s 51-year history to become CEO, after founder Ray Rothman and Milt Valera. Gurnick also is the first person from outside the Association to be named to the post.

Previously, Gurnick was the Executive Vice President of the California Bankers Association (CBA), where she established priorities for California’s bankers and developed innovative solutions to a number of major challenges.

Gurnick also served as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Countrywide Bank, Thousand Oaks, California, where she was instrumental in developing branding initiatives; establishing marketing programs for its retail banking network and developing landmark deposit programs. Gurnick previously served as Senior Vice President for Strategic Planning and Marketing at First Federal Bank of California in Los Angeles, and Vice President for Loan Accounting at Gibraltar Savings and Loan in Simi Valley, California.

A certified public accountant, Gurnick is a business administration graduate from California State University, Northridge.

During her influential tenure with the NNA, Thaw has served in virtually every major management capacity, including leadership roles with the Association's editorial, public affairs, marketing, legislation and customer relations departments. Strong operational and administrative skills, complemented by peerless organizational abilities, enabled Thaw to transition the NNA's once-manual day-to-day operations into state-of-the-art electronic systems and processes, providing the Association with the technological capability to offer second-to-none service to Notaries worldwide.

Her extensive notarial knowledge has made Thaw a respected educator of Notaries and would-be Notaries and a sought-after participant and speaker at conferences, symposiums and forums. She has also served on several state task forces. Her resume includes important contributions to the landmark Model Notary Acts of 1984 and 2002 and The Notary Public Code of Professional Responsibility.

Thaw has been an inspiring leader and mentor for a talented and growing young staff at the NNA throughout her tenure, and has also served as a trusted advisor and loyal confidant to President Milt Valera, roles that have taken on heightened importance as the Association has gained prominence over the past several years. She is also a member of the NNA's Executive Committee.

Thaw is Executive Editor of the Association's member publications — notably, The National Notary magazine and the Notary Bulletin newspaper — and continues to write extensively in the notarial field, including a regular column and interpretive pieces in the magazine.

Prior to joining the NNA, Thaw was a reporter and editor for newspapers in Pennsylvania and Los Angeles and also did radio broadcast work. She earned Bachelor of Arts Degrees in English and Journalism from Syracuse University.

As the NNA's Chief Operating Officer, Valera's responsibilities include supervision of six Groups and 26 Departments, a staff of nearly 300 men and women, and a 30-member Management Team. He has direct oversight for activities involving the Association's financials, human resources, insurance, manufacturing and customer service, among others.

Valera's strong leadership, complemented by his diverse experience and strong technical background, has produced technologically sophisticated systems supporting the NNA's computer and Internet operations, communications systems and manufacturing enterprises. He has established a second-to-none IT staff, whose rapid response time ranks it among the best for organizations of the NNA's size and makeup. His disciplined, effective operational and technical strategies have resulted in strong state-of-the art support of the organization's expanding technological initiatives in electronic commerce and notarization.

Valera, who previously owned and operated a paper stock and stationery business, had extensive experience in sales, marketing and operations before joining the NNA. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Administration from San Diego State University.

She is a proven expert in using strategic information, financial data and risk assessments to help Executive Management make strong, well-informed decisions; all geared towards increasing service and support to Notaries while preserving the NNA's role in promoting Notary professionalism.

Jane has been instrumental in the development and implementation of the NNA's Trusted Enrollment Agent program. Her unique combination of practical business insight and financial acumen were key elements to the successful creation of this program, which enhances the role of the Notary.

Before joining the NNA in late 2007, Jane built a strong career of accomplishment and success. She spent five years as the Chief Financial Officer for LoanWeb.com, and 11 years at MetLife Investors where she rose through the ranks to become CFO. Earlier in her career she spent three years as a Senior Accountant for Ernst & Young.

During her tenure at both MetLife Investors and LoanWeb.com, Jane was responsible for numerous initiatives that strengthened oversight and control of vital corporate functions, and streamlined workflows. These initiatives included the redesign of accounting and customer service processes, providing enhanced service at a reduced cost.

She graduated cum laude with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Accounting from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and is a Certified Public Accountant.

A prolific writer, Faerber has been involved in the research, development, drafting and editing of most of the NNA's major standards-setting works, including the Model Notary Acts of 1982 and 2002, The Notary Public Code of Professional Responsibility, the Notary Home Study Course, the series of state Notary Law Primers, and numerous Association publications. He has been published extensively and, as Editor-at-Large, continues to contribute to the many NNA member publications, including The National Notary magazine and the Notary Bulletin newspaper, as well as in major law reviews.

Faerber is the author of the U.S. Notary Reference Manual, considered the most authoritative and comprehensive compendium on notarial laws for all U.S. states and territories. He is a sought-after speaker on the Notary office and has also testified in numerous court cases as an expert witness, as well as before state and federal legislative bodies.

Before joining the NNA, Faerber worked as a reporter and editor for several newspapers before becoming editor and publisher of his own weekly newspaper. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, and a Master's Degree from San Diego State University.

Among his many roles at the NNA, Bastian is charged with establishing and coordinating objectives and strategies for the Association's operating groups and communicating Executive Management's messages and directives to a growing, aggressive middle management team.

With the NNA since 1993, he has served in every major marketing and communications position, including Creative Services Manager, Marketing Manager, and Member Services Group Manager. His creative work in framing and branding the image of the NNA through its notarial tools, services and publications can be seen regularly in the Association's periodicals and other literature.

Bastian's professional experiences span nearly 30 years in a variety of capacities that include high level management roles in marketing, advertising, merchandising and sales in the retail, corporate and nonprofit environments.

Bastian attended California State University Northridge where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a Marketing specialty.

Regarded as one of the nation's experts on notarization, Anderson has more than 13 years experience. Beginning his career as an educator, Anderson conducted Notary Public training seminars in over 35 states and has authored numerous instructional programs.

Anderson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Point Loma College, San Diego, California, and a Master of Divinity degree from Westminster Theological Seminary, Escondido, California.

Anderson has also served as pastor of Presbyterian churches in Appleton, Wisconsin and Santa Clarita, California.

Prior to joining the NNA, Robinson served as president and Chief Executive Officer of the San Diego North Chamber of Commerce, where he developed a successful marketing strategy that included a re-energized educational foundation. Previously, Robinson held the position of president and CEO of the Vail Valley Partnership in Vail, Colorado, transforming the organization into a vibrant force for tourism and business. Robinson also served as Director of Communications for the Beverly Hills (California) Chamber of Commerce and Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau. In this capacity, he managed the organization’s marketing, editorial, public relations, international business development and Internet initiatives.

Michael Robinson holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.

Before joining the NNA, Dunn served for more than 7 years as Manager of Sales Training/Assistant Vice President at IndyMac Bank in Pasadena, California. During this time, he built a strong training team; managed the development of online training programs, designed new education classes and implemented a learning management system.

For the previous 8 years, Dunn held the position of Curriculum Director/Vice President with the CitiBank National Training Team, North America. Joining the team at inception, Dunn was responsible for designing, developing and implementing training programs for the credit, compliance and products/services areas of the retail bank — educating more than 9,000 employees within the CitiBank North America organization.

Previously, Dunn served for 5 years as a Performance Consultant/Assistant Vice President for First Interstate Bank in Los Angeles, California.

Ken Dunn holds a Master’s degree in business administration/finance and a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Wisconsin.

An experienced, award-winning former reporter and editor for three large daily newspapers in Southern California and a former editor for several national magazines, Browne is charged with crafting an editorial style and direction for the NNA's publications that reflect the growing importance of technology and high professional standards within the Notary office. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from California State University Fullerton.

Under his direction, NNA customer and member satisfaction has increased dramatically, resulting in more Notaries and members being served at the Association today — and served more effectively — than ever before. Zaidi, who joined the NNA in 2000, attended Forman Christian College for his Bachelor of Science, and also earned a Bachelor's in Architecture from the National College of Arts in Pakistan.

Baikoushev has over 25 years of marketing and sales experience. Before joining the NNA, Baikoushev served as the Regional Director of Sales at prominent companies including Hair Club for Men and Women, Scientific Image Centers and Great Expectations Video Dating Services. Throughout his career, Baikoushev has led his teams in setting numerous sales records. Baikoushev has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Woodbury University in Burbank, California.

Langemeier came to the NNA with more than twenty years of operational management experience. After fourteen years as an Operations Manager for a major airline, he brought his knowledge of reducing costs and improving efficiency to the distribution industry, guiding the launch of two distribution centers at Target Corporation, where he served for five years.

Langemeier’s broad experience also includes implementing Best Practices and building successful teams.

He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from the University of Nebraska.