I hope this message finds each of you well and enjoying your summer. It’s time for us to kick off a new association year. Your board has been busy at work, planning to make this year a one to remember. I look forward to my upcoming year as your president and I want to continue the wonderful momentum that our association has created this past year.

We have an all-star speaker line-up in store for you, as well as YAT and New Member welcoming events planned throughout the year. Thank you to all our new committee members who are volunteering their time to help serve on our board. I am encouraged by all of the fresh young faces on board and for their contagious enthusiasm to make a difference.

A special “Thank You” goes out to our past president Deborah Eggleston. Debi worked very hard this past year and brought about great change. Changes our association will benefit from for years to come.

As we move through the remainder of the summer taking last minute vacations, getting ready for school, let us not forget that September is Life Insurance Awareness month. LIMRA International conducted a recent study in 2007 and found that most U.S. adults have no trusted advisor to turn to if they need life insurance. Seventy-six percent have no one they rely on for financial advice or information, and 68 percent do not have a personal life insurance agent. Now is the perfect time for us to reach out to prospects and clients to promote the importance of having adequate life insurance coverage as part of their overall financial plan.

Lastly, I’d like to take a moment to congratulate Bob Avery, CLU, CFP, ChFC, LUTC on being chosen this year’s J. Stanley Edwards award recipient. Bob has devoted many, many years to our association. Mere words cannot express how grateful we are for his contributions and time to our organization. Congratulations and Thank You, Bob!