With the start of summer, your Association begins a new year. Our annual Convention culminated with the Chairman's Reception and Ball, a celebration of leadership. The event was an opportunity to thank the Outgoing Chairman Rick Hosea for his service and look forward to a new year with a new Chairman: PJ Welch. Chairman Hosea begins his year as Senior Chairman after a busy and successful year. His year as Chairman included the signing of CMSA-sponsored legislation AB 2118 with its positive modifications to the Public Utilities Code into law. He also oversaw an ever-broadening scope of Association involvement in issues important to our membership. His work took him around the country as an ambassador of the CMSA, continuing a legacy of our Association's involvement as a partner with AMSA and IAM in support of our industry. He initiated a protocol to help new members understand the value of the CMSA. His development was for the Chairman and at least one other board member to contact each new member, and let them know that they were available to provide support.

I welcome Chairman Welch to his new office and look forward to all that the coming year will bring. Some of what will be done is known: visits to our 12 chapters, monthly columns in The Communicator, Board and committee work, etc. However, some are not known and that is where a leader has an opportunity to shine. Chairman Welch has already participated with me in CPUC discussions on the implementation of the electronic document distribution protocol, and played a critical role in the development of our recent letter to the SDDC in regards to their proposed Open Season and the use of Scoping in that process. He comes to us with a willingness to do the job, the support of his family and coworkers, and a passion for our industry. We look forward to what the year will bring and are confident that his leadership will be an asset for the Association.

The month since our 95th Annual Convention has been a busy time for your Association. In addition to the increases in consumer requests, there has been a positive sign of an increase in business for our membership. We have conducted committee and Executive Board conference calls and communication. The Military Affairs Committee developed a position on the upcoming SDDC-proposed Open Season and the use of Scoping in that process. The document was forwarded to the CMSA Board of Directors and, after unanimous approval, CMSA's position was forwarded to Lt. Col. Erhardt of the SDDC. Our goal is to continue to have a positive impact on the agents and service providers who are engaged in the work of moving our military members.