Page 6 - ACTL Journal Fall24

President’s Perspective
I am drafting this “year-end” report over the 4th of July holiday, but it will not be published until September so some of the facts alluded to herein might be best guesses about the future and some of the commentary might be a bit outdated. Nonetheless – here goes . . .
First, it has been a tremendous honor for me to serve this year as President of the College. I cannot thank enough the Board of Regents and the Past Presidents for entrusting me (and my wife Pat) with this important role. Pat and I have
san Harriman. They have provided guidance and wisdom throughout the year on all the issues the College has con- fronted. And – for those who are familiar with our National Office staff – it goes without saying that this College and
As I write this report, we have attended thirty-five meet- ings of the Fellows, and we are slated to attend eight more before our year is completed in Nashville. The Annual Meeting in Nashville, featuring an outstanding program of General Session presenters organized by President-Elect Rick Deane, is expected to be one of our most well attend- ed meetings in the history of the College. Pat and I look forward to seeing many of you there.
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cherished the opportunity to visit most of the fifty states and several of the Canadian provinces to attend local and re- gional dinner meetings and other gatherings of the Fellows.
We found it remarkable that we were greeted as honored dignitaries wherever we went, and we are grateful to have renewed so many old friendships and made so many new friends from coast to coast, and from north to south.
our leaders are blessed to enjoy their skills, experience, and warm, good natures. Pat and I want to especially thank Amy, Suzanne, Geri, Sarah, Kim and Cheryl for all they have done to make this year so memorable. And last but not least, no President of the College could do this job without the assistance of our able Executive Director Dennis Maggi
– who answers every question and anticipates every need.
I want to touch on some of the many activities and pro- grams that the College has undertaken or continued over this past year. One of our most significant efforts has been the Strategic Planning process that began last fall at our Leadership Workshop in Washington, DC, and continued with surveys and focus groups of the Fellows to determine how we can best ensure that the College will remain the premier organization of outstanding trial lawyers on this continent dedicated to the rule of law and professionalism. Past President Sam Franklin volunteered to chair our Stra- tegic Planning Task Force, and he has been ably assisted by a group consisting of Virgil Adams, Robby Alden, Josh Cohen, Tom Curry, Carolyn Fairless, Katie Recker, Renee
Second, in my role as President I have been assisted by a truly outstanding Executive Committee, including Presi- dent-Elect Deane (who will easily be able to fill my shoes!), Treasurer John Day, Secretary Sandy Forbes, Secretary Designate Katie Recker, and Immediate Past President Su-