About NPA: Our History

NPA – Advocate for the International Network Computing Professional

Contributions to NPA history may be sent to memberservices.

2023 NPA Executive Council formed replacing Governors Council.

2019 launch of the NPA Advocator - THE MONTHLY member interactive webinar event - NPA is a fine resource for the Network Professional - get your invitation on the member page. Bring your questions and needs. Share your expertise. Suggestions, get a second opinon of your resume? Help with the job search process? Guidance to improve in your current professional position? Recommendations for training, education, self-improvement? How to be a manager? Share a new technology.

• Community College/High School Student – helping you on your potential career track
• College/Tech School – start building business connections; expand your practical knowledge of IT; tips to success
• Accomplished Academia and Professionals – expand your business & IT experience; lead and manage teams; build your communication skills; meet and link with likeminded professionals
• Fellows of the IT Profession – connect seasoned Business & Academia IT leaders as mentors; giving to the development of others; amplify professionalism as career direction; publish and expand recognition

"IT Go Professional" Open forum video call, designed to offer advise and guidance. Questions get answered about professional directions in IT. Discuss options for sticky situations. Find resources to meet your IT profession needs.

Alas, last local chapter closes. As technology has developed the desire has weakened.

2009 begins with a new focus on chapter expansion and growth. A multiple chapter leadership team has begun expanded events in the Southern California region. The Board of Directors has directed development of the CNP program with increased emphasis on professional ethics. NPA has four strong programs to support the IT professional: Certified Network Professional (CNP), Awards for Professionalism, Network Professional Jourmal (NPJ), and Chapters.

In 2007, new chapters are forming and existing chapters host valued social and technical opportunities for network computing professionals. The Awards for Professionalism are planned. The first edition of the Journal is due out in February. NPA is participating in bringing Microsoft technologies to members. And a range of new events and opportunities are expected for our members. The number of CNP holders is growing. We are encouraged by our industry partners’ support of the need for an independent professional body for our industry.

In 2006, NPA re-incorporated in California as a 503c(6) professional association. Future plans for the NPA include being the advocate for our professionals, growing chapters, growing our membership, rewarding professionals for their accomplishments; produce an industry worthy independent Journal, and providing the hallmark “gold standard” independent “professional credential” and designation for network computing professionals – the CNP. NPA executive office moved to San Diego, California under NPA member management.

In 2005, the Network Professional Association revealed the new chapter incentive program. The program is designed to increase leadership experience for members and reward accomplishments in the chapter. October 2005, NPA re-introduced the Certified Network Professional (CNP) certification. The redesigned program includes verification of education, certification, experience, employment, continued professional development, and contains an ethics component.

In response to increased demands by employers and recruiters for highly qualified networking industry job candidates, the Network Professional Association (NPA) introduced an interactive job board in 2004. The NPA laid the framework for the new global membership class, Distinguished Fellows, to recognize individual outstanding contributions to the profession and/or industry over a lifetime.

The Network Professional Association has selected Accent on Management (AOM), Ohio’s largest association management company, to assume responsibilities for the business management of the Association. AOM manages twenty-one trade and professional associations from its offices in downtown Columbus. Accent on Management assumed management duties on February 18, 2004.

In 2003 the Network Professional Association was selected as an inaugural member Microsoft ITpro Advisory Council. Fifteen user group and association representatives were selected to be inaugural members of an initiative by Microsoft to be more active in our groups and eventually many other groups around the world. As a result, the NPA is a founding partner in GITCA (originally called Culminis), a Microsoft and IT initiative to bring education, products and opportunities to IT professionals through a channel of user groups and professional associations. GITCA, in 2009, now represents more than 800 associations and user groups and nearly 5 million members. Also in 2003 NPA members participated in the Microsoft Windows 2003 Server Launch followed by Exchange and Office.

2002 began a change in the NPA. With the industry and market forces mandating a change for non-profit professional associations worldwide, the NPA moved to restructure, refocus its goals, and offer a better menu of benefits to its members. A new website for network computing professionals opened. The NPA launched the "Awards for Professionalism" at Networld+Interop. Professional services for members were added.

2000, NPA executive offices were moved to Gayle Stewart Enterprises, Tustin, California US

1994, NPA incorporated as a 503c(6) non-profit professional association in the state of Utah. Also, in 1994 the Certified Network Professional program was launched followed by the Integrate Conferences in 1996.

Before NPA there was CNEPA —

In early 1990 a student in Ken Kirham’s CNE class, Mark Loos, inquired about additional training support outside of the certification program. Mark contacted Mark Jones at Novell and the  idea of the CNE Professional Association (CNEPA) was born. Mark Loos wrote the original ByLaws and along with a group of experienced CNEs  met in Provo, Utah to launch this new program.

In June 1990, the first meeting of CNEs drew 30 attendees and created seven chapters in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC.

Ken Kirkham, Mark Jones, Stuart Pastman, Mark Loos, and Tim Burkley laid out the foundation for the CNEPA. Key features were: 1)To be a focal point for learning and sharing, a free exchange for the sake of learning 2) members should be able to seek out solutions amongs each other. The startup group approached Novell in the fall of 1990 for permission to use the name, “CNE Professional Association.” Mark Jones, Novell CNE program manager working with Mark Loos (CNE), helped the group establish bylaws and appoint a Board of Directors

Novell, Word Perfect and HP were the original sponsors of the NPA. Tim Burkey, Ken Kirham, David Steggell, Stuart Pastman along with Mark Jones became the founding CNEPA Board of Directors. Novell provided permission for the name of ‘CNE Professional Association’ and established bylaws based on the bylaws of the Novell Users Group. Offices of the CNEPA were established in Costa Mesa, CA, and the organization was officially announced in January, 1991. Bill Haase of the Columbus Chapter became the first elected Chairman of the Board.

By the end of 1991, membership had reached 600 with 12 functioning chapters. Given the CNEPA’s limited resources, growth stalled and it became apparent that the fledgling organization could not sustain itself without financial assistance. Novell, seeing an opportunity to lead the growth of an industry professional association, helped the CNEPA close their offices in California in May, 1992, and relocate to Novell’s Provo location. At that time, several Novell employees took on volunteer positions to aid development of the independent organization, and six temporary employees were hired full time using Novell funds.

In June, 1992, the first CNEPA newsletter, Network News, was published, and two months later, the first Hands on Technology Labs were staged at NetWorld Dallas with the help of Novell and HP. In March, 1993, the first sponsors of the CNEPA were announced at BrainShare: Blue Lance, Brightwork, Hewlett Packard, Novell, Univel, and WordPerfect. During board elections in November, 1993, at the request of Novell Services as custodian of the organization, Novell’s board seat was officially relinquished, leaving seven member elected volunteer board members.