President's Message

Allow me to introduce myself...

I am excited and honored (and maybe even a little nervous) to serve as the 2010-2011 President of the Valley of the Sun Chapter of ALA. I look forward to the challenges, opportunities, and good times that the upcoming year will surely present.

In 1995, I left my position as a legal secretary at Brown & Bain and joined two partners who decided to begin their own (ad)venture. For several months I was the combination receptionist, secretary, paralegal, file clerk, bookkeeper, billing agent, and all around go-to person. When the partners realized they could no longer afford to pay for the medical massages and chiropractic treatments that were becoming necessary for me to function, they hired some associates and staff and I morphed into Firm Administrator.

Fast forward five years. I'm on a ladder with my head in the ceiling trying desperately to solve a telephone wiring issue when I receive a call alerting me to an organization called ALA and encouraging me to join. I attended my first lunch meeting, met an outstanding group of knowledgeable, fun, and friendly resources, and never looked back!

My commitment to the Chapter was cemented when I volunteered to participate in the 2001 Community Challenge event for the Phoenix Veterans Home. It was wildly successful and so much fun. I'm thankful that I volunteered a few hours of my time to help that wonderful cause. Somewhere over the past 10 years I also served a two-year term as a Member-at-Large and was then elected to a two-year term as Board Secretary. In return for spending about an hour a month on Board business, the Chapter paid for my dues, education conference registrations, and travel expenses. Score!

In 2007, I began the 3-year journey that leads me to this President's message. So now it's OMG! and WTH? and hours spent hoping I can fill the shoes of my predecessors. I promise to give it my best effort.

I urge all of you to squeeze every last bit out of your ALA membership – there are so many wonderful resources at your disposal at national, regional, and local levels. Remember that sometimes what is old becomes new again, and our Programs Committee strives to keep the topics current and relevant to today's firms. So please attend our luncheons, and bring a guest or two if you'd like. I hope you will network with colleagues at the upcoming social events, and support the Community Challenge, Professional Legal Management Week and annual Leadership events. Of course, your attendance at the Business Partner Expo & Education Conference is vital to our Chapter's continued success.

My fellow Board members and Committee Chairs are enthusiastic, experienced, willing, and able, and I am grateful for their commitment, backup, and expertise. We are here to serve and welcome your input, thoughts, suggestions, and comments.