I would like to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU!
Foremost, THANK YOU to the FCCMA staff for your tireless work in making this a productive and successful program year. The enormity of the scope of work you do behind the scenes to make this Association a success is very commendable.
THANK YOU to the Officers and Board of Directors for your enthusiastic, persistent efforts to ensure a successful program year. By your contributions, dedication, and pursuit of excellence in challenging situations, you reflected great credit upon yourselves and the Association.
THANK YOU to all the Committee Chairs, Vice Chairs, and Committee Members who dedicated time, energy, and expertise to ensure the Association’s committee matters were effectively led, administered, and accomplished in an efficient manner.
THANK YOU to all the Senior Advisors for your mentorship and for going above and beyond to impart knowledge and guidance to our Members.
THANK YOU to Dani Dahlberg for ensuring we have a great conference, and for all your other selfless contributions. My gratitude in this regard also extends to your predecessor, Beth Rawlins, who left the Association with a solid legacy of successful conferences.
THANK YOU to all the Association members for choosing to join, and for remaining faithful FCCMA members. I understand that there may be resource challenges to overcome, and that there are other professional organizations and associations that compete for your participation.
THANK YOU to all the FCCMA Sponsors, Associates, and Affiliates. You have been, and continue to be, important pillars of our Association.
THANK YOU to Jonathan Lewis and the entire Sarasota County family. Without your steadfast support, challenge, and encouragement, my presidency would not have been possible.
To our families and friends – without you, we would not have been able to achieve nearly as much as we did amid almost continuous challenging circumstances. And even during the few times when we did not fully measure up to expectation, your love and support were unmatched and unwavering. THANK YOU!
This program year had its special set of stressors for the cities, counties, and organizations we represent. You weathered hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, snowstorms, fires, and changing political dynamics. You were forced to develop and implement creative budget maneuvers due to the financial volatility at the state and federal levels. Nonetheless, with your backs to walls, hands firmly gripped to plows, commitment to local government service, resiliency, and can-do spirit, you worked tirelessly to serve your respective communities. As such, your constituents benefited from the great results of your steadfastness, sacrifice, and self-denial. On behalf of your constituents and communities – THANK YOU!
As I transition from President to assume my new role as Immediate Past President, I eagerly look forward to continue serving you and serving with you. During the upcoming 2025-2026 Program Year, you will be in the very capable hands of your next President, Sarah Campbell. I look forward to her leadership.
It has been a blessing and an honor.
THANK YOU!
Mark
