In Praise of MPI Leaders Current and Past

As the board leadership year winds down, and we prepare for the next term of leaders, I wanted to take a quick moment and celebrate a few of our current and past MPI members who have committed their time to MPI and MPI THCC, making a difference for me and countless others: 

• Tillie Reiner (may she rest in peace) who first recruited a new MPI THCC member back in 1991 and made the effort to tell that new THCC member how and why they should get involved in the chapter, including all of the opportunities and benefits. She was willing to take that chance on someone new to MPI.
• Jeff Rasco, mentor, former THCC board member, and past president of the Houston chapter. He has given his time, effort, assistance, and service to this chapter for such a long time. He even helped the OOP this year in being our special appointee and serving as our IPP. Jeff is the first person I met in MPI who I have the honor of still serving alongside. Good times, great conversations, and many cigars since 1992. 
• O.D. O’Donnell, mentor and past president of the DFW chapter, who has recruited hundreds of new members and taught many committee members how to find and recruit new members for MPI. On this MPI membership committee is where I first met Karen Fogle, who has diligently served both the DFW and THCC chapters.
• Debbie Farnum, mentor and a two-time MPI THCC president who makes it all look so easy! She has tremendous passion and possesses the tenacity to get back up after being brought down by others. Her resilience is a source of inspiration to me and a beacon of hope for many in MPI and beyond.
• Ellen Forsythe, one of my dedicated chapter and board members who is constantly working and succeeding behind the scenes. She is always ready to help and she’s always there when you need her.
• Susan Greenberg, a previous president and always one to lend support at the drop of a hat. She is not one to ever be counted out! She mentored many future presidents and helped shepherd the chapter through a time of major change with Southwest Showcase.
• Annette Hicks, previous chapter president, powerhouse meeting planner, and doing this all while serving on multiple committees including chapter board succession planning and the Southwest Showcase Steering Committee.
• Charles Gallatin, another MPI member serving in the background and managing Southwest Showcase for MPI and IAEE. This man, has the patience of Job, worked with many strong-willed steering committee members, all while getting the job done, not ever taking sides, and in 2023 delivering a record-breaking return for both MPI THCC and IAEE CTC in his management of Southwest Showcase.

In looking back over the past year, the excitement is building! Seeing new and returning board members shine in their positions has been a truly amazing thing to observe the past 12 months. We have enjoyed successful Austin education and networking events and two successful events in San Antonio. It is so important that we are making sure we get our San Antonio members involved and engaged, while also allowing our Austin members great educational topics and experiencing new venues!!!  Another pleasant surprise was moving a previous board member, Jennifer Smith into the position of MPI THCC chapter administrator. I point this out because she had some really big shoes to fill in replacing long-time admin Jeff Rasco. The admin job description feels like it should read to include “certain aspects of the job might include herding cats” and Jennifer continues to keep the business of the board going, herding us cats, and has been outstanding at overseeing multiple facets of the chapter’s upcoming 40^th Anniversary Celebration. Be sure and grab your ticket to the MPI end of year banquet and 40^th Anniversary Celebration coming up on Friday June 23^rd at the Sonesta Hotel at the Bee Cave Austin. 

PS: Check back in June for a special end of year commentary regarding the “funniest MPI Moments” in the final presidents’ message!