For the past six years I’ve had the honor of representing my peers as a United Adworkers Board member. Over those years I served under three different Presidents, three different Directors and too many fellow board members to try to remember. It’s a group I’ve been proud to be associated with and will truly miss. Probably not a whole lot, though. One thing I know about being on this board for so long is that old board members never really go away, they just don’t have to attend the meetings.
I’ve also been proud to serve as your United Adworkers President for the past two years. I’ve enjoyed nearly every minute of it. The MKE 99 Shows, the golf outings, the trivia nights, the speakers like Madmen, J.J. Sedalmeier, Google, all good stuff and plenty more to come. In fact, next year there are already a couple high profile speakers booked, the return of our Battle of the Bands, and several other events, as well as a newly formatted web site. I’d love to go into more detail, but I don’t want to steal the thunder of our incoming president, Nick Pipitone from Jigsaw. I’m excited to watch from the sidelines as Nick takes the reins leading the best advertising club in the country.
Speaking of changes to the board, we’ll be welcoming new board members with the New Year. Special thanks to Heather Aldrich from Serve for her service this past year, and Steve Farr from Purple Onion, for his dedication these past three year. Getting to know them and all the other board members over the years has been a highlight of my service.
Joining the board are a couple of new faces and a couple of old ones. Scott Lynch, Co-Owner/Creative Director from Arsenal Advertising and Mitch Markussen, a Creative Director from BVK will return for 2010. Both spent time on the board in the past, Scott was a former President in the club’s infancy. Travis Knutson, ACD from Thirsty Boy and Joe Sutter, Chief Creative Officer from GMR will also join, bringing a fresh energy and perspective the club.
I would be remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity to thank our Director, Heidi Sterricker, for a great couple of years working together. Thank you for all your energy and dedication to this club. You’re a true asset to its continued success and a consummate professional and a dear friend. To borrow Dorothy’s departing line to the Scarecrow, I think I’ll miss you most of all. It’s been a great ride.
There you have it. As they say, “Everything old is new again.” New board members, new president, new events, new web site and more great speakers. As for me, I’m going to return to civilian life. I bid you farewell, adios, sayonara, au revoir, auf wiedersehen, doviđenja, Godspeed. For longer than half this organizations existence I have been a part of this board. Not being involved will be strange to say the least. Especially paying for my membership and events. Wait, maybe it’s not too late to stay?
XOXOXO,
Joe Ban