A Year of Highlights

By Marleen Thudium, CPA

It has truly been a pleasure serving as your chapter president during this last year. I owe you my deepest thanks for the opportunity to experience numerous highlights over the past 12 months.

The Leadership Institute that I attended with Joe Forlenza prepared me for my presidency, as well as provided me with information that is helping me in my own business. In fact, I recently referred to one of the Leadership Institute’s textbooks as a resource. While I was told that it would be a life-changing event, I didn’t realize the truth of that statement until now. The scope of my imagination was changed positively by this event. I am now aware of things that were beyond my imagination a year ago. I encourage you to apply for the Leadership Institute.

The installation dinner was exceptional! Thank you to Bob Magnusson and friends for providing outstanding entertainment. Also, special thanks to Carmen Conrady for putting it together and honoring my special request of a five-piece band.

I would like to extend my thanks to some key individuals who supported me during my presidency: Joe Forlenza for his wise advice; Gary Hammond, our program director, for his enthusiastic and innovative ideas; Carmen Conrady for trying new things; Sharon Lightner for her vision and dedication; Melody Thornton for making the time to attend additional meetings consistently; special committees that gave extra time to discuss future programs; and the entire leadership team of officers, directors, steering committees, committee chairs and co-chairs, as well as discussion group chairs, who made sure that our events and activities happened throughout the year. Most of all, I would like to thank the membership for your continued support of CalCPA with your dues and volunteer participation.

I’ve enjoyed the chance to visit with students who participated in our chapter during CPA Day at the Capitol and financial literacy committee. Special thanks to the students from USD and SDSU who supported our efforts on behalf of SB 691 by meeting area legislators. The staff at the different offices has warmly welcomed us. Many of the legislators are interested in working with us to offer financial literacy to their constituents.

With a new year, there is always change. I’m excited to welcome Joe Forlenza as our new president for 2009-10. As we begin this historic year, please join me at the Chapter Installation May 20, 5:30–7:30 p.m., at the San Diego Art Institute in Balboa Park. Also, please mark your calendar for an evening mixer June 3 with the San Diego County Bar Association at the Bar Center in downtown. Thank you Leslie Mittanck for spearheading this new event.

Thank you so much for a wonderful year. It has been a pleasure serving the membership of the San Diego Chapter.
— Marleen Thudium, CPA

This entry was posted on Monday, April 20th, 2009 at 1:02 pm and is filed under President's Message. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.