From the President

Friends and colleagues,

As I settle into my role as President of the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association, I do so with proud but solemn reflection on the past year, but I look forward to the year ahead with even greater enthusiasm. As you know, the ESRBA has now entered its third bar year and administration under the challenges of the pandemic. Immediate Past Presidents, Warren Todd and Heather Lindsay, demonstrated strong, creative and inspiring leadership during the uncertain and unprecedented times over the last 18 months! With the support and aid of our Executive Director, Jeff Nall, his staff, my fellow Officers and Members of the Executive Council and you, our dedicated members, the ESRBA is on a path to emerge victorious and stronger!

Already since being installed, the Council and I have updated and modernized our Association’s Bylaws, created a dedicated (and permanent) Young Lawyer’s Division seat on the Executive Council, digitized our meetings/operations using “Boardable,” a cloudbased platform and facilitated a large joint meeting (and much better synergy) between the Executive Council, the Bar Foundation and the YLD Board! Continuing this strong emphasis on collaboration, we have scheduled quarterly meetings with other community boards/ partners, such as the: Escambia Medical Society Board-of-Directors, the Escambia and Santa Rosa Clerk and Court Admin Leadership, the Pensacola Association of Realtors and the Northwest Florida Paralegal Association. Our Executive Council will have the opportunity to delineate officer duties, streamline and define our Association for decades to come at our upcoming Strategic Planning Retreat on October 1.

Additionally, we are keenly focused on continuing to expand our Corporate & Law Firm Sponsorships as well as our Member Benefits/Discounts Program. In addition to a robust and lively return to in-person monthly meets and events, members can also anticipate the return of the “Lunch with a Judge” Program. And, for all of us looking to reconnect with our colleagues and our communities, members can look forward to our 1st Annual ESRBA Community Service Day next spring.

The pandemic has truly shown us what we are made of. Our continued commitment to meeting safely, virtually or in person, our seamless transition into a new administration and our ongoing commitment to serve our members (and our communities) demonstrate that the EscambiaSanta Rosa Bar Association is a tenacious, united and highly adaptable organization.

With a service-based mindset, I proclaim a productive and impactful year ahead!! I look forward to increasing the awareness and the effectiveness of the ESRBA, to visiting with you at our events and to serving alongside you, the amazing members of our legal community, over the prosperous, come-back year ahead!

Sincerely yours,

Garrett P. LaBorde