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By: Edward Lilly Dear NAGDCA Friends, A favorite saying during the late sixties and early seventies was “never trust anyone over thirty.” Perhaps you muttered that line at one time or another also. Over the years, that generation matured and knows well the benefits of a lifetime of experiences. NAGDCA itself is turning 30 during 2010 and has grown in knowledge, experience, and respect. I suspect that turning 30 will add luster and not tarnish to NAGDCA. The Department of the Treasury, Congress, and numerous organizations and media outlets recognize NAGDCA as a reliable and trustworthy source of information and policy analysis. This success is a tribute to each of NAGDCA’s members, both government and industry, who have contributed their time and knowledge. I look forward to celebrating NAGDCA’s 30th anniversary and reaching new heights on behalf of our members and the public employees who are saving for their retirements through the retirement savings plans that our employers sponsor. The 30th Annual NAGDCA Conference in Austin, TX was a tremendous success. Over 610 delegates attended the conference at which 57 NAGDCA members provided valuable information at the Conference’s general sessions, concurrent sessions and member breakout sessions. In addition, it is always rewarding to recognize the 56 government members who attended their first NAGDCA conference. I am sure that many of these first year participants will become active contributors to the future success of NAGDCA. The general session “Nanotechnology – The Future and the Economy” presented by Alain Kaloyeros, Ph. D., received rave reviews from conference attendees. Dr. Kaloyeros made it clear to us that the future is now and that we must be innovative in all we do. Part of our future is within the Arthur N. Caple Foundation and NAGDCA’s student program. Your financial support of the Caple Foundation is greatly appreciated. The silent auction and raffle that was held during the Conference raised over $3,200 that will be matched by contributions from five of our industry partners for a total of more than $6,400. Thank you to all who contributed prizes, bought raffle tickets, and bid in the auction. Congratulations to all the winners. The highlight of the NAGDCA student program is awarding the Arthur N. Caple Foundation Scholarship and welcoming students from around the country to NAGDCA conference. This year 34 students attended the Annual Conference which is a record. Introducing students, our future generation, to public employer defined contribution plans and our industry partners is a wonderful program that is appreciated by the students each year. A special thank you to those who served as mentors. Congratulations to Meg Shepard of the University of Georgia who was awarded the 2009 Arthur N. Caple Scholarship and to each of the students who applied for the scholarship. This is a group of bright and talented students who will make great strides in the field on retirement planning. I am pleased to welcome two new members to the Executive Board. Eric Sanderson, DC Plan Manager at the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System, is the newly elected Member-at-Large Representative and Kurt Walten, Sr. Vice President of NAREIT, is the President of the Industry Committee. Eric and Kurt are welcome additions to the Board. A sincere thank you goes to Mindy Harris and Tim Rouse whose terms on the Executive Board are ending. Mindy has given six years of dedicated service as a member of the Executive Board. She is a great leader and will continue to serve NAGDCA as a past president and an active member. Tim Rouse served on the Executive Board during 2008 and 2009 as the Industry Committee President and Industry Observer. His insights and knowledge have been very helpful. National Save for Retirement Week, October 24 – 28, is this week. This is a special time to heightened awareness of the need to plan and save for retirement. Your efforts to make NS4RW a success will be appreciated by all of your plan participants. For ideas and resources on NS4RW visit the NAGDCA website. I look forward to a very productive 2010 and the value that NAGDCA will provide to you. We will bring to you a new series of NAGDCA web casts, informative publications and brochures, and a conference in Philadelphia that will be a rewarding experience. Keep in touch with your Executive Board and all the updates on the NAGDCA website |
