I am pleased to be your president for this year. I have experience with the Northern California Branch AALAS where I was on the BOD for 3 years, and president in 1996. I currently work as Sr. Site Manager and Attending Veterinarian in Laboratory Animal Medicine for Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development in San Diego. I plan to live up to the excellent history of presidents past; Buddy Charbono, Rick Alvarez, and most recently Lisa Manzuk. I want to specifically thank Buddy for nominating me to the Board of Directors in 2000 to get this all started, and thank Lisa for exemplifying the commitment and leadership that our organization needs to succeed.

Regarding the topic of success, this is a tremendously successful branch. Membership has grown to almost 500 people. We have implemented and maintained educational and networking activities that include zoo tours, picnics, symposia and workshops. Our TBR Carolyn Guajardo, was provided a local technician of the year award in 2002 and a national technician award in 2003. Our local branch provided a meritorious service award to Diana Kelsey, and I was accepted to attend the National AALAS leadership symposium in Seattle. We dove into the 21st century by converting our newsletter to electronic format, and re-vamped our website. We have re-worked our membership structure to encourage large and small institution participation. The AALAS National president Gail Heidbrink spoke at our Holiday event. I can’t begin detail all the fun and interesting people we have met while working as a team for the SD branch AALAS.

What are our goals for 2004 and beyond? To continue to have fun. To continue to grow the team. We will host the District 8 Regional Convention in 2007, and we need to continue fiscal conservativism in order to meet our monetary obligations for this event. Gary Rodemeyer and Rick Alvarez are taking the lead in identifying a site that will meet our needs. We will continue to educate our members with a rigorous workshop and symposium schedule. Diana Kelsey leads this effort, as well as serving as president elect for 2005. We are streamlining newsletter efforts further by providing a branch computer to the editor, Katja Tonsky. We are aligning business with our website and streamlining advertising by providing links and business cards. Lisa Manzuk leads this effort. Sam Hernandez continues to maintain our membership roster and list serve. Our Executive Treasurer, Mr. Tom Barmeyer, maintains our books and non-exempt tax status. Irene Dunwiddie keeps record of our activities and hosts educational activities. Your Technician Branch Representative (TBR) is Carolyn Guajardo. Tony Slimp, Merideth Dow, and Keith Jenne are Board Members who provide input and discussion regarding all of our business activities.

What do I mean by grow the team? I want every board member to encourage SDAALAS members to participate. Members to chair sub-committees of events. To mentor members to become SDAALAS officers. To increase representation of membership at activities and events. Sometimes people are only waiting to be asked-so we will ask! Sometimes people are only waiting to be shown-so we will lead. Sometimes people only need a little encouragement-so we will encourage!

Right now I challenge you to attend a general meeting this year. In addition to the Holiday meeting, our charter directs 5 Board of Director Meetings to be designated as general membership meetings as well. BOD meetings are scheduled for 11:30 on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, except March, May, June and October. Check the schedule on the website and look for us at Shooters at the Raddison La Jolla, 3229 Holiday Court off La Jolla Village Drive. Don’t be surprised when we ask you to help us keep the San Diego Branch AALAS history of success alive.