As we all prepare for the holidays, many of you are looking forward to finalizing 2012 with a strong balance sheet, one which parallels the efforts set forth by your entire organization. We all worked hard this year to ensure that our enterprises remain financially healthy for ourselves, our employees and, most importantly, our customers. My hope for each of you is that the past year has been good and professionally enriching as we see 2012 come to an end.

With the elections now behind us, I am confident that as Americans, we will pull together to make contributions to our great country by creating businesses, which result in job opportunities for all Americans. I hope that our elected officials work together to stabilize the economic environment here in the United States as well as for us all in California. Our democratic system in the United States ensures that we are still the land of opportunity with one of the best economies in the world. However, we must not slack; instead, we must find ways to prepare our organizations to handle all business opportunities which present themselves to us in our markets. December is a good time to think about where you want your businesses to be next year, where to set goals or where to look for new revenue opportunities if we are going to remain fiscally competitive in the years to come.

Not long ago, we celebrated our Thanksgiving holiday with our friends and families; I just wanted to tell you that I am thankful for the many relationships I share with all of you through CMSA. Because of this great network, we can all be grateful for the support we get from each other. While we all have businesses which operate independently from each other, we can still get advice when needed from fellow CMSA members. The unity we cherish may be unique, but it brings much benefit for all who understand the value of participating in CMSA. With more than half my term as your Chairman now behind me, I want you to know that I will continue to find ways to make contributions to CMSA, for the members of CMSA and finally for the benefit of all professionally permitted movers here in California. I still have so much to look forward to as your Chairman as I continue my travels throughout the state, visiting your chapters this winter.

 I wanted to share with you something I read this past year, something which made complete sense as I read it. Steve Jobs said, “Do what you love.” When Steve Jobs was asked to give advice to young entrepreneurs, he said, “I think you should get a job as a busboy until you find something you're passionate about. Have the courage to follow your heart.” Jobs advised Stanford students in 2005, “You've got to find what you love. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. You cannot create world-changing innovations unless you are truly passionate about moving society forward.”

I wish each and every one of you a blessed holiday season — one filled with warm blessing and cheer. It is a time to reflect on the goodness we’ve obtained through our businesses, our employees and our business partners with whom we depend to support our individual companies. We have much to be grateful for and even more to look forward to as we move into the new year. We should take some time to remember those who are less fortunate, those who struggle with unemployment, illness or even hunger. The holidays are a time to accept the blessings, but also to help bless others in various ways.

Happy Holidays CMSA from your Chairman!