The opportunity to spend this year as your Chairman is overwhelming and exciting; I am looking forward to the challenge

However, I have to ask myself “How did I get here?”

Over the year’s I have watched the various Chairman with awe.

Most recently Bob Schultz, Kathy Tomlin, Paul Reynolds, Suzanne Koch, Gary Hickman and Adrienne Murphy just finishing her year as your chairman. Not forgetting those past chairman that were at the Annual Meeting Ann Morgan & Rollie Campbell and a couple of Don’s Don Richmond and Don Dreyer and not forgetting the rest of this distinguished group, there is not enough space they have all been so great.

I had no clue that one day I would have the opportunity to stand up here and thank them all for their examples and their mentoring.

I watched and I saw how remarkably good they were the confidence, knowledge and good judgment they portrayed.

Being asked to join these people just as a board member has been an honor and a valuable learning experience.

I will never forget the first board meeting I attended, feeling so shy, I was afraid to open my mouth let alone have something intelligent to say.

I had help from other board members. They welcomed me to the board, some with much kidding and amusement, I will not mention any names, they know who they are however, kidding aside, they made me feel at home. A part of a team of people dedicated to the successful running of our Association. I do mean that very sincerely, CMA is the most important tool a credit manager can have in their toolbox.

Look at the new programs that have been introduced to us through our Web Site in the last few years: Anscers, the Community Board. The Encyclopedia, on line reporting, RFI’s and many others, which I have left out because of space and time.

Having to follow the past Chairmen will take some fancy footwork. If I am able to accomplish half of what they have done, I believe I will have done well.
The new and continuing board members serving this year and their combined talents will be a great asset to CMA please take note of the list of Board Members on our web site and feel free to call them with ideas and offers to volunteer we can always use new ideas.

Richard Kaufman our president for the last 21 years and with us for a total of 42 years. I have really enjoyed working with him and thank him for his encouragement, kindness and his dry sense of humor

I look forward to working with him for the last few months he will be here. He has always been the solid core of CMA and I must say much admired by us all.

Working with our new COO Mike Mitchell is proving to be exciting and worthwhile. He brings to the company a new perspective a look into the future and a path forward.

I have a special thank you for Lois Kaufmann what a gracious lady she is and how special she makes us all feel.

I have thought of CMA as one the most important assets any credit manager can have and with all the new Technologies & Education available, it is an even larger truth today.

I will do my very best to support, promote and guide the 2005 – 2006 Board of Directors

And I thank you for giving me the opportunity.