This year marked my first full year as CEO of AIHA, and I couldn’t be prouder of the many successes the membership and staff have accomplished together.

It is quite clear to me that the AIHA membership is indeed a close-knit community. We have an incredible cadre of seasoned professionals who are passionate about contributing to the aggregate “body of knowledge,” which helps keep the IH profession current.

In my travels across the United States and around the world, I’ve met literally hundreds of amazing people who embody the altruistic spirit of our profession—safeguarding workers and the communities in which we work. I kicked off the year by presenting at and meeting dozens of luminaries at the Yuma-Pacific Local Section, followed by Potomac (twice), Florida, Michigan, Mid-America (Kansas City), Western New York, Connecticut River Valley, Deep South/Alabama, Twin Cities, Northeast Regional (Philadelphia-New Jersey-Metro New York), and the California Industrial Hygiene Council (which comprises all 5 California local sections). I traveled down under to attend the AIOH annual conference and to the U.K. for the BOHS meeting. And, of course, I attended and connected with many IH and product stewardship professionals at AIHA events over the course of the year.

I want to thank everyone I’ve met along the way for your support and trust in me. AIHA is at an exciting crossroads in how we define and communicate what we represent. We’re developing new Bodies of Knowledge, launching new registry programs, and homing in on what deliverables we need to be producing to maintain alignment with our seven emerging priorities. As part of my personal commitment to our local section network, we’ll be convening a task force to discuss and propose new ways to reinforce the spirit of partnership. We’ll also be exploring how to energize our 20-plus student local sections to ensure these aspiring young leaders remain engaged with AIHA when they graduate.

I’ve got a busy travel schedule already in the queue for 2018, and I look forward to making new friends along the way. Until then, my sincere wishes to all for a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season!