I am looking forward to serving as your CSI Memphis Chapter President in 2017-2018. I have been a member of CSI for 10 years, which is the number of years I have been in the industry. My family has owned Farrell-Calhoun Paint since 1974, but I took my time raising a family before joining the family business as an Architectural Representative. At my first chapter meeting, I reconnected with Jack Moran who was a long-time family friend. Jack invited me to help him on the Scholarship Committee and I have been Co-Chair/Chair ever since. I am humbled and honored to be the fourth female President and I hope that I can follow their example and have an effective and productive term.
Through CSI, I have come to know and become friends with so many people in our industry. I hope to continue the CSI tradition of providing networking and education opportunities at our monthly Chapter meetings. We will continue to meet at the University of Memphis Holiday Inn on the second Thursday of the month. I have definitely seen new faces at these meetings and I want to increase our membership this year. We are working on scheduling a number of CEU credited programs that will showcase local projects and unique products. I believe that if we provide excellent educational opportunities, we open the door to recruit new members and show them why participating in CSI is valuable to members of our industry.
We began this fiscal year in July, shortly after our annual Award Banquet. I will do my best to follow Hans Faulhaber who effectively lead our chapter for the last two years. I am thrilled that Hans has volunteered to help organize and teach CDT preparation classes this year. I am also excited to have Jeffrey Parnell as our President Elect and Build/It Committee Chair. Jeffrey did an outstanding job planning our 2017 Products Display Show and GSR conference. He has already started planning Build/It 2018 and I am predicting another successful show!
Kate Haywood has been working on and recently launched the 2018-2019 Dempsie B. Morrison Campaign. We decided to kick off the campaign earlier this year because Michael Cardone generously donated two University of Memphis season football tickets to help raise contributions. All donations made at the Silver Level or above will be entered in the drawing. The first drawing will be held at the August 10th Chapter meeting and the second at our October 12th Chapter meeting.
I am thankful to everyone who has helped and encouraged me in my new role. I will continue to look to our amazing Past Presidents for guidance, and I am open to any suggestions or recommendations that will help our Chapter grow and thrive.