President's Message
By Pat Jost

So much has happened over the past few weeks and I feel the need to share this information with you as quickly as possible. As you know, we are providing training opportunities for you with Regional Rallies throughout the state, NAOW at St. Mary’s in May and ABC Workshop prior to Fall Conference in October. Registration for each of these training sessions will be posted to the listserv and our website as soon as the information is available. Linda Gonzalez-Hensgen, Past President, provided a calendar update to the Communications Network Committee yesterday. This information will be available for you to view on-line within just a few days.

Fall Conference is scheduled for October 5 - 7, 2005 in El Paso. The ABC Workshop will be held on October 3 & 4. The conference hotel is the Camino Real located on 101 South El Paso Street. The conference room rate will be $119 single or double. Registration information will be posted on the website soon.

The Board will meet during the NAOW on May 18 & 19 and again on July 26 & 27, 2005. Both board meetings will be held in San Antonio at the Doubletree Hotel located at McCullough and Loop 410. You are invited and welcome to attend.

The TASFAA Legislative trainers completed three days of Financial Aid Training for Legislative staff at the Capital. This session in January was a repeat session of the “Financial Aid Training 101” conducted at the Capital last fall. The Legislative staff had both in-room and remote login access to the presentation. By all accounts, the training was a success. Thanks again to all members and partners that assisted with this training session.

June Hagler from Southern Methodist University was named SWASFAA Delegate from Texas to replace Rick Renshaw’s unexpired term. Rick was elected SWASFAA President-Elect for the 2004-2005 academic year. Congratulations to June and Rick.

Adam Gonzales, Sr., Vice President of Operations for COSTEP, was named Associate Member of the Board. His first meeting with us was February 17 & 18, 2005 in Dallas. Adam is a talented addition to the Board. Please welcome him if given the opportunity.

Patrick Reyna resigned as Treasurer effective February 1, 2005. The Board appointed Tia Clary from Lubbock Christian University as his replacement until the election is held this summer. We are pleased Tia has brought electronic processes to our financial record keeping and also welcome her to the Board.

Jim Lane resigned as President effective February 15, 2005. Lyn Wheeler, Vice President, replaced Jim as President according to the guidelines established in the Policies & Procedures. Unfortunately, Lyn Wheeler resigned as Vice President on March 1, 2005 due to personal and office-related issues. As President Elect, I replaced Lyn on March 2nd and will serve the balance of her term as President for 2004-2005. To fill the Vice President vacancy, the Board met by teleconference on March 3 and elected Lyn back into office at Vice President. To fill the voting member vacancy left by the absence of a President-Elect, I appointed Marcus Wilson to the Board. His experience and expertise is an asset to the association.

I will begin my elected term with you for 2005-2006 starting in October 2005. Again, I express my gratitude for being elected your TASFAA President. Your trust and confidence in my ability to lead the Association forward is overwhelming and I humbly accept the responsibilities. I look forward to working with our current Board and anxiously anticipate our opportunities.