By Ronald L. Buchholz, CPM
ronbuchholz@charter.net

Dear AACPM Friends and Colleagues –

I am writing this message to you in mid February as I prepare for the upcoming Academy Board Meeting next week in Arizona. It has been a very unusual winter here in Wisconsin with record highs (mid 40’s) and no snow throughout the month of December followed by record lows in January. Needless to say, I am looking forward to traveling to the warmth and hospitality of Arizona next week!

This edition of The CPM Connection provides my second opportunity to communicate with you, the Academy membership at large, as your President. My life these last few months has been a testament to the old adage that you never know what life will present to you! In the past two-and-a-half months, our family has celebrated three birthdays and the Holidays, I had rotator repair surgery on my right shoulder (for the second time), Mary and I announced our retirements from our jobs and the opportunity to serve the Academy again presented itself by means of the Special Election held in January.

I am honored and privileged you have allowed me the opportunity to lead the Academy as President for a second time. I am especially thankful and appreciative for your support and confidence as I undertake the leadership responsibility for the Academy. I promise to continue and build upon the successes achieved by Presidents Debbie Smith and Bill Herman and the other Board Members these past two years, and to undertake new initiatives for the betterment and advancement of the Academy, its Member Societies and each of its members.

The Board of Directors for 2007 (Bill Herman, Greg Hyland, Larry Gordon, Judy Dennis, Robinil Jameson and Becky Bryant) is an extremely capable, dedicated and motivated group of individuals. I have come to know them all well and consider each a personal friend, as well as a professional colleague. Their commitment to the principles of the Certified Public Manager® program and credential is well known and highly regarded. Having those individuals already serving on the Board and the opportunity to be able to work with them again was a major reason for my deciding to run for office again in the Special Election. The Academy is truly blessed by having such outstanding persons serve on the Board as well as the many other dedicated persons who will be working behind the scenes serving on Academy Committees and in other roles and capacities this year…More >