I would like to take this time to thank you for the opportunity to serve the Alabama Association of Emergency Managers as President for 2009-2010. The last few years of serving on the board has shown me the tremendous professional attitudes and abilities we have among our membership. We have accomplished many things as an organization during the last three years, including House Bill 395, Senate Bill 160, and Transparency of Emergency Management Program Grant Funds.

I believe that the focus this year should be a reflection of our organization, so therefore, I task you to take an interior and exterior look at where we are, where we have been, and where we want to go. I believe, as members of the AAEM, that we can accomplish the goals and objectives we set as a team.

One objective I would like to see accomplished over the next year is to establish (for our organization) the Professional Education (certification) that is offered through the ACCA. I would also like for our organization to evaluate how our conferences are scheduled and to consider how best we can continue to learn and grow and to help educate others about Emergency Management in our respective communities. Due to the economy and other factors, this may mean having only one conference per year, but, due to our association with ACCA, it provides us with the opportunity to make those conferences more inclusive with other government entities.

Thank you for your support in these endeavors, and I look forward to the possibilities this new year will bring.

Sincerely,

Dan Long
AAEM President