James Baty jbaty@cfaconcretepros.org

June is here and with it a rush of activity in most of your businesses and the CFA.  June is the last month of our fiscal year.  It is the last month of significant work to get CFACON24 right.  It is also the first true month of summer and the myriad of conflicts surrounding key conversations that will lead to and produce CFA’s future vision.  Perhaps you might rationalize similar challenges occurring in your own businesses. Though the details may be different, what we all likely have in common is the feeling that it’s hard to believe we are here.

Reflecting on the past year I am overwhelmed with gratitude for and pride in our CFA community.  This Spring we hosted the latest Executive Retreat.  Modern Foundations and Bartley Corp, two of the longest tenured CFA members, played enormous roles in the framework that led to the retreat’s success.  You’ll see some of the evidence of their great work on page __ in this issue or you can watch the recap video here: https://bit.ly/3UP3kzq.  We entertained the new ACI President, Michael Paul, during our Board meeting at the impressive and new ACI Resource Center in Maryland.  Our members experienced the legacy of the U.S. Naval Academy, dined together at the Annapolis Market House, and spent quality time together during bus transportation and shoulder moments in the lounge at The Hotel at Arundel Preserve.  These snapshots of relationship building exemplifies the framework CFA has returned to accentuate the personal aspect of its membership.  After twenty-three years in this role, it is hard to believe how, time and again, the progress and success we achieve remains new, exciting, and refreshing.

In his last letter as CFA President, Jason Ells shows his appreciation for all that has taken place.  He has served for two years of amazing development, energy, and growth in this Association, and he deserves all our appreciation!  What an amazing leader he has been, continuing the legacy of the amazing leaders I have worked with in the presidency of this Association.  He committed to weekly teleconferences with me, monthly Executive Committee Zoom sessions, and re-establishing the quarterly Board meetings.  Perhaps his biggest influence during his presidency, however, is his attention to metrics, both in the 360 evaluation, as well as the practice of setting goals and evaluation criteria.  He has lived a leadership mantra of “if your WHY is not big enough your excuse will be.” It is hard to believe that two years are nearly gone since his predecessor, Doug Herbert handed him the reins. He now prepares to do the same to second generation president, Sean Smith.

It is hard to believe…and yet, just look around. This Association is changing lives, changing businesses, changing workforces, and changing the built landscape.  As we look ahead to the start of our 50th year, I certainly understand the challenges to “invest in” or “work on” your business, however, if you read this and question whether you are, or know you are not a “CFA member” my challenge to you is to quit holding out. Let us help!