It’s amazing how short a year can feel, and how quickly things evolve and change in the world today.  As I look back on my year as President, I think how quickly it has passed yet how much was accomplished by our amazing members and tireless staff.  I treasure the opportunity I had to encourage, coordinate, communicate, and, frankly, stay out of the way.

Some of the major accomplishments of the past year:

• The Technical Board published the 100^th Recommended Practice and kept on going. AACE can be described as a content based association and the Technical Board continually sets the gold standard for technical content.
• The Education Board launched a variety of on-line learning opportunities including the recently completed CCP Review Course. With these releases, our educational offerings are now available to members and non-members around the world at times that work best for the individual.
• AACE established the AACE International Certification Institute. This effort is the embodiment of a change the keeps all of the strengths of the long established and highly recognized AACE Certification program and now positions it to increase its reach and renown.
• With the guidance and encouragement of the Executive Director and Staff, the Board of Directors has implemented, and is dedicated to the continuation of, an on-going strategic planning process that will help ensure that AACE continues to address the needs of the membership and the cost engineering professions.
• Very recently the Executive Director, with the full support of the Board of Directors, added a full time staff position fully dedicated to member engagement and the promotion of AACE International.

Before starting this message, I took some time to review some of Chris Caddell’s President’s messages.  I was struck by how the COVID pandemic was woven into each message and how during Chris’ term, every action and every discussion, by necessity, had the pandemic at the core.  That realization only increased my respect for Chris and his leadership.  I thank Chris for his guidance and assistance over the past year.

The past year was certainly heavily impacted by the pandemic, but we saw significant moves toward normalcy.  The Board of Directors returned to in-person meetings, the Conference and Expo had a limited physical meeting component in Boston, many sections returned to face-to-face meetings, limited travel on behalf of AACE resumed, and the 2022 Conference and Expo will be a full in-person event in San Antonio.  All key milestones and major steps forward.

AACE has had a tremendous impact on my career.  AACE has provided me with the tools to form the foundation of my skills, delivered educational opportunities to help me grow beyond the foundation, and presented certifications that allowed me to confirm my skills and education and present that validation to those people influenced in my career.  My story is not unique; I have heard many members share the same experience.  But beyond the content of AACE, my experience has been enriched by the people I’ve met along the way.  From my colleagues and friends in the Great Lakes Section, to member around the globe, to the hardest working most dedicated staff in the association world, I count myself lucky to have made and continue to make so many friends through AACE.

As I reflect on closing my year as AACE President, I want to thank the management and team at Administrative Controls Management, Inc. for the financial and time support to make this year possible.  I want to thank the membership, the current Board of Directors, and the staff for all the help and support.  I want to thank the entire AACE staff, who quite simply make anyone’s success as President possible.

Finally, I want to give a special thank you to: Deb Lally, whose leadership and guidance was priceless; Jennie Amos, whose support and assistance is unwavering regardless of the time allowed; and Shoshanna Fraizinger who has been a joy to work with, her energy and drive are infectious and regardless of the situation she does everything with a smile and goodwill.  I am so eager to see what her year as President will be like.

It has been a privilege to serve as the President of AACE.