A Year to Remember

As I sit here in my warm home, four days before Christmas, reflecting on this past year, I am compelled to offer my sincere thanks to all the people that made my time as ISA President an amazing experience. Even with all the heartache that this year brought, I am optimistic that the years ahead will provide our Membership with the kind of Society from which they can all benefit and to which they can all be proud to belong. I base my optimism on all of the passionate, engaged, and loyal Members of ISA. Our Membership is second to none. As an ISA Member since 1985, my love for this association increases each and every year. Also, I am continually impressed and thankful for the ISA Staff. If the Membership is the fabric of our Society, then our staff would be the thread that binds us all together. Our staff has experienced the highs and lows that this year has offered. Even with this, they have pushed through with high levels of professionalism and class. Our Members are extremely fortunate to have such people to work with and to call our friends.

A special thank you goes to the 2009 Executive Board. The decisions that they needed to make from the high responsibility of their position were quite difficult and the manner in which they handled them was quite admirable. We debated, discussed, and argued always with the Member in mind. Anyone who says otherwise is misinformed. A special thank to our Finance Committee. Through numerous meetings, they developed the budget that will set ISA on a path for future success.

Thanks go out to the Executive Committee:
•Terry Ives, for the effective and professional manner that you completed your duties of Treasurer.
•Declan Lordan and Mario Cash, for your passion, commitment, and friendship—the Members were well represented by both of you.
•Kim Miller Dunn, our 2008 Society President, for your professionalism, class, and grace which was much appreciated during my year as President. I will always cherish our times working for the Membership.
•Nelson Ninin, who takes over as President in a couple of weeks, for you I offer my continued support and, when requested, my advice.

I just want to commit to you all my focus and effort in making our association better than ever. I will always be there to offer my assistance.

A special thanks goes to Pat Gouhin, our Executive Director. He continues to impress me with his level of professionalism and mental toughness. In my opinion, ISA is fortunate to have you on our team. Debbie Eby, you are the greatest!

Finally, I thank all ISA Members for their interest in the profession of automation. I see great things in the future for automation. I am sure that ISA will be at the forefront in driving and supporting initiatives to help make those great things a reality.

All the best for 2010,

Jerry Cockrell
2009 Society President

P.S. Though this is my last ISA Connections Blog entry, my Blogging does not end here. I invite you follow my entries and musings from my term as Chair of the Automation Federation starting in January when I take over the AF Chair’s Blog.