Election Information

By Debbie Smith, CPM
Debbie.Smith@okdhs.org

This is a reminder regarding the upcoming election of Board Officers at the 2006 House of Delegates (HOD) Meeting to be held in Louisville, Kentucky, on Wednesday, September 13th, 2006. As immediate Past President of the Academy, I chair the Election Committee for this year's elections.

This year, the HOD will be electing the President-Elect (3-year term—1 year as President-Elect; 1 year as President; and 1 year as Past President), Treasurer and Member-at-Large for Conferences and Communications. The Treasurer and Member-at-Large positions serve a 2-year term. The terms of office will begin on January 1, 2007.

This demonstrates that commitment is alive and well in the call for “Commitment” theme in my last news article in the Spring newsletter. I stated, “The success of the Academy is a direct result of the drive and quality of individuals elected to lead it.” I am pleased to share that seven candidates have answered this call; two for President-Elect, three for Treasurer, and two for Member-at-Large for Communications and Conferences.

The Offices and Candidates are: 

• President Elect: Gregory Hyland and Stephen Mastro
• Treasurer: Carmen Bishop, Laurence Gordon, Barbara Mahoney
• Member-at-Large for Communications and Conferences: Becky Bryant and Carol Trisko

Each candidate’s biographical information is listed below. Be sure to cast your votes appropriately in the House of Delegates on September 13th. Ballots will be distributed to the HOD of delegate’s members before the HOD meeting in Louisville, KY. HOD representatives please watch for the ballots to arrive in your mail.

Remember, the success of the Academy is a direct result of the quality of individuals elected to lead it and I want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank each of this year’s candidates for seeking these leadership roles for the AACPM.

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Candidate Profiles

The following information is intended to present information about the candidates seeking election to the AACPM Board of Directors with terms starting in January 2007. Their information is presented in alphabetical order beginning with President Elect, then Treasurer and finally Member at Large for Conference and Communications.

Candidates for 2007 President Elect

Gregory D. “Greg” Hyland, CPM (Arizona)
I’m Greg Hyland the current Board Member at Large for Conferences and Communications. I have had the privilege of working on the Board in this capacity for the past two years. I coordinate the publishing of the CPM Connection, our quarterly newsletter, keep the website up to date and assist in the planning of our annual conferences.

After having been a member of the Board for these past two years, I want to continue the positive perspective and “can do“attitude that has evolved in the Board over the last several years. I also want to build on what Presidents Ron, Debbie, and Bill have started and continue to develop stronger relationships with the Societies and the consortium and make personal visits by attending Society events whenever possible. I also want to implement some of the new programs the Board has been developing during my tenure, including the proposed “Distinguished Society President” award.
Listed below are some of my personal and professional qualifications.

• Member of the Academy and Arizona Society for nearly 15 years
• Member of the Academy Board of Directors (current Board member)
• Chairman of the Communications, Integrated Marketing, and Ways & Means Committees
• Served on the Academy Publications, Conference, and Elections Committees
• Awarded the Academy’s President’s Award in 2004 for the production on the Ken Henning video and DVD.
• Attended AACPM Conferences in Kentucky, Louisiana, Florida, Arizona, South Carolina, and New Hampshire and participated as a member of the HOD at those conferences.
• President of the Arizona Society for four (4) terms, Board Member for an additional four years
• Two-time Henning Award Nominee
• Member of the Arizona CPM Advisory Board
• Recently designated as a “Master Thinker” by Dr. Edward de Bono
• Over 22 years in public service where I: 
• developed an internal Customer Service Process Improvement Team (PIT) to look at the customer service functions that were provided by the City of Yuma; 
• developed an award winning Government Access television station and commercial radio communications programs that transmit information to the Yuma community in both English and Spanish;
• testified before Congress and successfully obtained Congressional Designation for the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area;
• was responsible for the development of a cross-departmental team (Riverfront Team) tasked with revitalizing Yuma’s riverfront;
• worked as an integral part of the design team for Yuma’s new $28,000,000 Municipal Complex;

During my nearly 25 years in Yuma, I have been involved in several community activities, including:  Yuma Strategic Planning Project, Yuma Town Hall, Kiwanis Club of Yuma, Foothills Kiwanis Club, Yuma Masonic Lodge, and many others.

My wife, Dara, and daughters Ashley and Chelsea support my candidacy 100%, even though I already ask them for a lot.

That being said, I would truly appreciate your support as your Academy President Elect.

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Stephen J. Mastro, CPM (North Carolina)
After several years of suggestions by many who have served as Academy officers I have decided the time is right for me to accept a nomination to be the next president-elect. I am pleased to offer my service to an organization that has been instrumental in guiding my successful career in public service. This is a position that provides leadership to a growing nationwide organization of state societies filled with intelligent but diverse individuals. The experience I have gained while leading other non-profit organizations will be valuable as I serve the Academy.

Why is this the right time for me? I feel that to accomplish major goals one needs to dedicate the time and energy to make a difference. Since serving as North Carolina Society President in 2001 my focus has been on: completing my Masters Degree in Public Administration; serving as president of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Wilmington, NC; and getting settled after accepting the challenge of employment as the Budget Officer for one of the 23 campuses of the California State University. Now settled – I am ready to focus on new challenges.

I have been a member of AACPM since 1996, attended my first educational conference in 1999, and have been involved in AACPM continually since then. In 2002 I was a recipient of a Fran Wilkinson Scholarship. I have served in the House of Delegates on four occasions, chaired the Wilkinson Scholarship committee for three years (2003-2005), and have served on two other committees; Ways & Means, and Leadership Institute for the Academy.

In accepting the nomination I bring no specific agenda, platform or pledge for change - just a desire to serve the Academy in the best interests of the membership. My leadership style is to observe and study the organization – to understand where it came from, where it is now, and where it is going. I have read the AACPM strategic plan, minutes of HOD and BOD meetings. To get a real feel for the current pulse of the organization I need to hear from you – the members. Please share your thoughts with me. E-mail me at smastro@csum.edu and tell me from your point of view what the Academy is doing well and where it could be improved. With this counsel I will be able to select objectives that I can facilitate that will further AACPM strategic objectives and improve services to the membership by the Academy. The real work is to sell these objectives to others and gain a consensus to achieve them. The satisfaction of leadership, for me, comes not from any personal recognition – but by having left something behind that I can look back on and think to myself – I was able to focus a group of talented people to accomplish an objective that was good for all. This is what I have done for other organizations - and with your support I will do the same for AACPM.

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Candidates for Treasurer

Carmen M. Bishop, CPM (Kentucky)
I am a candidate for the position of Treasurer. I received a bachelor degree from the University of Kentucky and an MBA from Xavier University. I have 20 years experience conducting examinations of banks, trust entities, investment advisers, broker-dealers, and issuer agents with the Office of Financial Institutions. This regulatory experience has provided me with a clear understanding of accounting, budgeting, banking, and overall money management that should be beneficial in serving as treasurer. I feel I can contribute to the maintenance and growth of the financial affairs of the AACPM through professional accounting/bookkeeping standards as well as maintenance of membership databases. Since 1998, I have served as teacher and mentor to new state securities examiners through the North American Securities Administration Association, an organization managed by volunteers. I wish to continue this path by doing my part for the American Academy of Certified Public Managers®. Here are some additional professional achievements:

• Achieved the designation of Certified Public Manager® in 2003
• Currently serve as Treasurer of the Kentucky Society of Certified Public Managers® (KSCPM) and the 2006 AACPM Conference; serve as a member of the Registration Committee for the 2006 AACPM Conference, and assemble and maintain the KSCPM scrapbook to preserve historical information
• April 2004-2005 - served as Secretary of the KSCPM
• Promoted to Branch Manager in 2000 supervising field examiners
• 1998–Present - serve on two national committees of the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) and teach at the NASAA Investment Adviser Training each year

Thank you for your consideration as Treasurer.

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Laurence “Larry” Gordon, CPM (Arizona)
I am a candidate for re-election for the position of Academy Treasurer. As Treasurer for the past 18 months, I have learned a great deal about the Academy’s financial affairs and working with the Board of Directors. I would like to take this experience and build on it in a second term.

During the past year and with Board approval, I changed the Academy’s financial record keeping system to QuickBooks Pro, a more affordable and appropriate financial management program. This software provides for quick access to the everyday tasks from a simplified home page and allows the user to share data with Microsoft Office. Upgrades for this software are inexpensive, training is available, and QuickBooks is universally accepted by accounting firms. These features (and many more) will assist future Academy treasurers.

In a second term I would make it a priority to reconcile and incorporate the Academy’s merchandise inventory into the new accounting software. This would provide for better control and accountability. I will continue to work with the Ways & Means Committee to re-assess the Academy’s merchandise inventory and bring in new and innovative products to be sold at the conferences.

Here are some of my professional/personal achievements:

• Achieved the CPM credential in 1995, Arizona Society Treasurer 1997-2005, Vice-President/President 2006, Arizona delegate to HOD 1999-2001, 2003-04.
• American Academy Treasurer 2005-06, Finance Committee and Ways & Means Committee
• Over 20 years with the Phoenix Municipal Court, currently serving as the Courtroom Operations supervisor. Received four (4) Chief Presiding Judge Awards for outstanding achievement.
• Veterans of Foreign Wars - House Committee member 2003-05, participated in the Cooperative Office Education programs, US Savings Bonds drives, and Community Service Fund Drives.

I would appreciate your support and look forward to serving the Academy in the future.

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Barbara Mahoney, CPM (Arkansas)
I am running for the position of Treasurer of the Academy. I am an active member in the Arkansas Society. I believe the success of the Societies and Academy’s mission is extremely important; therefore, each of us should play an active role in achieving that success.

• I completed my state AGM certification in May 2002 and my CPM in May 2004. I am the Immediate Past President of the Arkansas Society of Certified Public Managers®, having served as President in 2005.
• I have been employed with the Arkansas State Bank Department, in Little Rock, Arkansas, for 13 years. I work directly for the Deputy Bank Commissioner in the legal department. I assist in supervising a support staff of five. Periodically I also work directly for the Bank Commissioner.
• Currently I am working on the Arkansas State Bank Department’s disaster recover plan in conjunction with the State of Arkansas’ Disaster Recovery Plan.
• In 1994-97, I organized meetings of the Governor’s Task Force to Revise the Arkansas Banking Code, and worked closely with the Task Force Members and consultants.
• Prior to my work with the state, I worked for a private attorney’s office. I was a member of the Arkansas Association of Legal Secretaries, holding various positions at the local chapter level.
• I live in the small town of Bauxite, Arkansas. My husband, Roger, and I have been married for 34 years. We have three daughters, two grandsons and four granddaughters. I play an upright bass, and we play and enjoy Bluegrass music.

I would appreciate your support for my candidacy as Treasurer of the Academy. It would be an honor to serve you.

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Candidate for Member at Large – Conferences & Communication

Rebecca J. “Becky” Bryant, CPM (Arkansas)
Having held several positions in my local CPM Society and having participated in the AACPM Annual Conferences for many years, I often considered running for an AACPM office. Because I like to give my best effort to whatever I do, I’ve delayed this decision until I felt I could commit the time and energy to such a position. I am very passionate about the CPM program and totally support the Academy’s mission. I feel that my professional and personal experiences and achievements have well equipped me for this office, and it would be privilege for me to serve on this Board. Below is a little more information about my background.

• Attained the Arkansas Governmental Manager designation in May 1991 and Certified Public Manager® in June 1994   
• Active member of the Arkansas Society having served as Recording Secretary and  Corresponding Secretary, and then, President Elect, President, and Immediate Past President (1994-1996 and 2003-2005)
• Helped host the AACPM annual conference in Little Rock in 1995, and represented Arkansas as an AACPM delegate for seven of the past 15 years
• Recently completed 30 years of state service with the Arkansas Department of Labor, the last five as the agency’s General Business Manager overseeing the daily functions of the agency to insure compliance with state and federal policies and regulations and to monitor internal controls for agency efficiency, effectiveness and fiscal responsibility
• Active member of local church, served on and chaired the Finance, Personnel and Youth Committees, and directed the preschool choir for 15 years
• Volunteer for Arkansans for Drug Free Youth and co-founder of a County non-profit known as Citizens Against Substance Abuse (CASA). Served that organization as president for seven years.
• Successfully raised three children with two now in college and one a high school senior

I would very much appreciate your consideration and support of my candidacy for Member at Large.

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Carol Trisko, CPM (Washington)
I am a 16 year employee with the Department of Social and Health Services for the State of Washington. I am currently the Public Disclosure Manager for Financial Services Administration. (Thanks to my CPM training)

I graduated with the third Certified Public Managers® Class in my State. I am a charter member and currently serve as Vice President of my State Association.
Certified Public Managers® Program is still somewhat new in Washington (about 3 years old now) and we are very proud to be part of it. Starting on the ground floor and nurturing it, watching it grow and blossom is quite exciting.

I have served on several volunteer committees and boards in the past. I am the past president of the Clark County Democrats, 2 terms, past president of a woman's investment group, again 2 terms, past parliamentarian of the Portland Trailblazer Booster Club (NBA basketball) again 2 terms, just to name a few.

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© Copyright 2006, American Association of Certified Public Managers®