Hello Colleagues and Friends –

On behalf of the GFOAT board, I would like to once again thank the program committee and leadership for their work on another outstanding conference! We had over 300 attendees at the beautiful Renaissance Arboretum in Austin. For those attending, evaluations should be arriving shortly for your feedback.

We have already started on plans for the fall conference in Galveston, so watch for those updates in the newsletters. And, give us your ides on the evaluation forms on how to make these conferences more useful to you. We have a task force at work, led by Kathy DuBose, to identify possible improvements to our conferences and member benefits. Be sure and use the evaluation and upcoming survey tools as a means of communicating your ideas.

Of course, we hope to see everyone in Fort Lauderdale for national GFOA conference. The program looks exciting and national always promises something new to think about.

For Texas, we have particular bragging rights on our CGFO program. Last week we had 27 candidates taking 36 exams! We recognized several new CGFOs at the conference: Phil Bray and Sarah Mangham passed on earlier tests, while Brian Hogan and Sandra Mattick passed at the conference, pushing them past the 375 point requirement. Further, we later determined that Joyce Herring completed enough points to earn her certification, so are please to announce her accomplishment as well.

In addition, we have stepped up our payment and continuing education enforcement, such that several of you have received probation notices for 2006 and 2007. While this may not be great news individually, you should feel encouraged that we are trying to ensure continuous quality in our program. At this time, it would also be appropriate to recognize a new co-chair for the Professional Development committee in Carl Wessels. Carl assists Laurie Brewer and replaces Linda Symank as co-chair, both of whom have done an outstanding job this year accomplishing many of our program objectives! Thanks ladies for all your work and thanks Carl for stepping up in this important leadership role.

Finally, a word of congratulations to our new slate of officers that take effect July 1:
President – Karen Rhodes
President Elect – Kent Pfeil
Micki Rundell – Secretary
Treasurer – Beverly Queen
At Large Rep – Corrine Steeger
South Rep – Keith Nelson
North Rep – Kent Austin
GFOA Rep – Roger Roecker
TML Rep – Cynthia Alexander-Pearson

On behalf of all of these organization and industry leaders, please feel free to give us a call with your ideas and suggestions.
Max