Greetings,

The start of an APICS season is synonymous with many other starts for all of us. We create our complex family schedules for school & sports and somehow we always pull it off. We close our pools and change out our wardrobes as true New Englanders do four times a year. Of course the most exciting of all Fall Events is the opening of the APICS Season. Your Board of Directors works all year to provide your programs, workshops and chapter governance. Please take the time to thank them and show how much you appreciate their efforts. We've been blessed with outstanding Board Members and it all happens because of them.

We have turnover on the board this year. Leaving the Board is:
• Mike Ford, VP of Education. Mike has served as one of our top Instructors and Board Member for the last five years. Mike plans on travel and Instructing in retirement. I’ve made a note on that. Mike has been honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his service.
• Mike Kulasewski, VP of Programs. Mike leaves us to take on more responsibilities at work. Mike gave us a great program year last year.
• Tom Evans, VP of Membership. Tom leaves to pursue career goals while balancing family events. Tom has twins….need I say more!
• John Visich, 2nd Assistant VP. Professor Visich provided great insight into businesses in Rhode Island connecting APICS and Bryant University for the betterment of businesses in the State.
• Erika McCauley, our last Student Chapter President organized and led a great group of students at JWU. Her leadership was earmarked in several charity and community events held by the Student Chapter and we wish Erika great success in her career.

It ’s always sad to see friends leave the Board, but the next best thing is getting new blood to stimulate and accelerate the APICS Brand.We have the following new Alpha members of the Board:
• Melissa Pimental, MBA and Sr. Business Analysis for General Dynamics C4 Systems taking over as VP of Education. High energy is all I can tell you, watch out!
• Rebecca Hodgkins, MBA and Director of Marketing and filling our new position of VP of Marketing and Publicity. Expertise in marketing …and this lady has the goods. We are blessed.
• Kim Kosh, MBA and Manager of the AVP Banking Center for Bank of America taking over VP of Membership. This lady will “find” a way to get members. Outstanding people pleaser and great person. Did I mention …smart?

Please give them your support and introduce yourself at the next meeting. Special thanks to the remaining Board members:
• Mark Goudreau, our Financial Rock. Mark keeps us on track and on budget with common sense and schools us on the “5 Why ’s” every time we buy something. Prof. Goudreau is also our Student Chapter Liaison.
• Steve Silviano, our Webmaster extraordinaire. Steve is the reason for our leaps in technology. His passion for “web stuff” enables us with great tools and communication.
• Dave Rounds, another rock as our Secretary. Dave consistently shows dedication and can summarize a meeting like no other. He is usually the “guy” collecting money at the PDMs as well as helping with Membership. Outstanding member!
• Ed Boardman, our Past President. Ed also sits on the Finance Committee and provides great guidance on strategic planning and budgetary tasks.
• Roland Grenier. I save the best for last. Roland solidifies the chapter with his wisdom, passion and dedication to APICS. Roland serves as Member-at-Large on the Board and as Director of Administration for Education. If you need something, call Roland. He’s the go to guy on the Board. If you see him, thank him, he ’s that important to our mission.

Top Management Night is September 29th at the Crown Plaza. Register now! We have a new Lean Enterprise Workshop starting in November. Talk to your supervisors about breaking into Lean with APICS behind you.Best wishes to all and hope to see you soon,

Jeff Kearns