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10/01/2007
From the NATE Office
The 2007 NATE Summer Conference is now history. Once again I was amazed by how much hard work and laughter can be squeezed into two-and-a-half days.
From the onset, I want to express NATE's thanks to Bill Carlson, Kari Carlson and everyone at Tower Systems, Inc. for hosting a well-attended and very enjoyable reception on Wednesday night at the Tower Systems facility. NATE also thanks Jim and Ryan Tracy and everyone at Legacy Communications for providing coffee and breakfast on Thursday morning, and Joe Durham and Talley Communications Corp. for sponsoring the Joint Session luncheon on Thursday.
The sponsorship by these NATE members not only helped make this event more affordable for NATE, but also made our time together more enjoyable. Thank you to all of our sponsors.
Not only did our sponsors show their dedication to the success of this event, but NATE's leaders did as well. NATE Members came from as far away as Washington, California, Texas, Canada, Florida, Maryland and many points in between to participate in their respective meetings. Bahama's Telecommuni- cations Company even made the trip up all the way from the Bahamas. I can't say enough about the dedication the Board and Committee Members demonstrate year-in and year-out in keeping NATE vital.
Individual committee reports can be found throughout the pages of this Tower Times. The Board of Directors held its meetings over the course of three days, covering virtually every issue NATE faces. Jim Goldwater provided the Board with insight on regulatory issues of concern to NATE. Jim Braniff and Sarah Barton addressed the Board on behalf of Arthur J. Gallagher, with officials from AIG also providing presentations. Michael Cole from UBS offered his perspective on NATE's finances.
Outside of these presentations, the Board also covered partnership issues, safety issues, promotional matters, administrative issues, revisions to federal directives, and discussions on how NATE can best assist its members in their efforts to operate safely. As is the case each year, there is no problem filling up the limited time the Board has face-to-face.
As I have said often, other associations may come close to the level of volunteer participation that NATE has, but I know none exceed it. The involvement of our committee members and Board of Directors remains extraordinary. I encourage new leaders to emerge from within NATE to continue this tradition. You'll have big shoes to fill, but I guarantee you will find great satisfaction in what you give to the industry through participation in NATE.
As a closing note on the Summer Conference, I want to thank Paula Nurnberg, Carol Coughlin, Deb Moldenhauer, Shelly Trego, Corene Iverson and Jodi Messerli for another outstanding team effort resulting in a successful summer meeting. Thanks also to Jodi and her husband Mark Messerli for hosting the final night's reception at their home for those NATE members who were still in town. It was an excellent way to wrap up another outstanding event.
Patrick Howey is the NATE Executive Director. He can be reached at 888-882-5865 or patrick@natehome.com
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