I am honored to serve as the next MNACCA President. I want to thank our immediate Past President, Teri Johnson (MoneyGram International), for her many contributions to MNACCA. Under Teri's leadership, we added 150 new members and strengthened our committees. We now have over 40 dedicated, creative, and enthusiastic volunteers who make our Chapter successful. Teri will remain on the Board of Directors. I also want to recognize Ron Hunter (Cargill, Inc.) who has retired from the Board. Ron will continue to serve on the Program Committee. Finally, a note of welcome to our new Board members: Paula Hopping Adoradio (UnitedHealth Group), Ryan Chandlee (Forthright), and Chris Putnam (Cargill, Inc.).

I am excited to announce that we have grown to the point where we have added an Executive Director position. We recently retained Becky Bickett to serve in that role. Becky is going to be a great addition to the Chapter. For more than 15 years, Becky has assisted companies with business development and marketing communication efforts. Having worked in the marketing departments of Rider Bennett, Larkin Hoffman and Leonard, Street and Deinard, her career has a special emphasis on law firm business development. Since opening her own marketing consulting business in 2008, Becky has continued to work with many law firms, from small and solo firms locally to a national AmLaw 200 firm. She is an active member of the Legal Marketing Association, having served as the Programming Chair of the Minnesota Chapter of LMA for several years and as its president in 2001. She also is a former Section Council Member of the Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) Practice Management and Marketing Section.

During these difficult economic times, we are all being asked to do more with less. Remember to take advantage of your ACC membership and the associated resources such as the ACC Docket, the Virtual Library of practice resources and useful surveys, infoPAKs, job postings, and, of course, the many networking opportunities. Also please do all you can to assist members in transition by helping them network and, wherever possible, offering opportunities to perform contract work.

I look forward to seeing you at upcoming events.