EFMA President’s Message – Peter A. Orjala

EFMA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Peter A. Orjala

First of all, I would like to thank everyone for the support I have received, both from the executive and the members; it has been an honour and a pleasure serving you as your president this year.

The executive committee has worked tirelessly over the past 12 months, planning this year’s 50th conference. The planning has been a real team effort of which I’m proud to be a part. Special thanks go to Doug Gorcak and Russ Sales in the EFMA Conference Committee; they had a real challenge putting in place the “golden” program for this year, and did an outstanding job.

Thanks, Heather Simm and Allan Van Tassel, for streamlining the EFMA certification process and making it a professional certification that all members are encouraged to obtain. Thanks to Harold Shock, our secretary treasurer, for keeping our books balanced while budgeting for this year’s conference. Tom Louie, our past president, is appreciated for all his efforts making the Pro D sessions a reality; and also for heading the 50th-year subcommittee that included John Vantol, Jim Garfield and Glenn Miller – thanks, guys, all of your input is much-appreciated. And thanks go to vice-president Steve Smoroden for his support, valuable input and culinary skills in choosing the food.

Thanks also go to Molly Shipowich, our executive secretary, and to Bob Hardy, EFMA executive director, for all the behind-the-scenes work they do to keep the association going, and thanks as well to all the respective zone chairs for work they do putting on and organizing the various sessions throughout the province.

Last but not least, many thanks to our exhibitor representatives, Chelsea Leonard and Sanya Taralova, who also worked hard in organizing this year 50th conference. Please show your support to the exhibitors by visiting them at their booths; they`re a large reason why EFMA conferences are always so successful!

Let’s get as many members out as possible to attend the EFMA 50th Conference and celebrate the success of EFMA – past, present and forward into the future. See you all in Penticton!

Best regards,

Peter Orjala