President's Message
A Farewell
by Marcus Wilson

Thank you to all the candidates that ran for TASFAA Board positions. We were blessed to have such a strong group running for these positions.

Congratulations to each of our newly elected leaders: Jim Lane, Kathy Bassham, June Hagler, Pat Jost, Raul Lerma, Rick Renshaw, Belen Valdez and Joe Wilcox. It is now time to assume your new responsibilities and opportunities.

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. – Thomas A. Edison (1847 - 1931)

I am amazed when I realize a year has passed. It has been wonderful, and I have been so blessed to work with such an outstanding and dedicated Board. We have successfully faced many challenges and turned them into opportunities. Thank you: Kim Eisenhour, Linda Gonzalez-Hensgen, Beverly Cottingham, Patrick Reyna, Kathy Bassham, Ann Duncan, Casey Galindo, Pat Jost, James Kubacak, Jim Lane, Rick Moreno, Rick Renshaw, Kym Sherwood, and Joe Wilcox.

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do. – Eleanor Roosevelt (1884 - 1962)

Our focus this year has been on TASFAA’s five preferred visions; Early Awareness and Outreach, Training, Legislative Activity, Partnerships and Technology. As such, we all owe a great deal of thanks to the Committee Chairs and members who have served us tirelessly this past year. This is where the real business of TASFAA is done.

I am quite pleased with the efforts and advances made this year, and I thank our Chairs and your committee members for making this an outstanding and successful year.

I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances. – Martha Washington (1732 - 1802)

This has been an incredible year for me personally, and I have certainly grown from the experience. I have an improved awareness and understanding of our partnerships and the vital role we each perform to make our profession successful.

I am so blessed to have such great friends; those I have had for many years, and to my many new ones.

This past year my staff has been truly amazing. I appreciate them for making everything work. They are fantastic.

Thank you for the opportunity and privilege to serve you this year.

Sincerely,
Marcus