2009-2010 FEI chairs: Jerry Urich and Karyn Brooks exemplify the benefits of active membership.

• Author: Heffes, Ellen M.
• Position: Financial Executives International

Jerry Urich, FEI chairman of the board for 2009-10, is genuinely perplexed about why a financial executive who is eligible for membership in Financial Executives International would not join. Even it means reaching into his or her own pocket to pay dues!

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Further, he asks: "With all the benefits and services FEI offers, how could a financial executive in today's world--CFOs, controllers, treasurers and many of their direct reports --not be a member of FEI? How can they not be concerned about what they are missing by not being a member? How can they not be concerned about missing information and ideas that would help them do their jobs more effectively and support their companies' best interests?"

Of course, Urich is thinking about his own experiences with FEI--and his experience gives credence to the adage: "You get what you put in."

Urich got involved with FEI activities as soon as he joined, and he greatly values his membership. He believes he's been fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve in a number of FEI leadership roles. As a result, he says, "I've had the chance to work with so many great people--fellow members--many of whom are now among my closest friends."

Gerald R. Urich, CPA, known to all as "Jerry," joined FEI in 1997, at the request of his boss, the main reason being to gain, leadership development opportunities with the Central Pennsylvania Chapter. Since then, there has been no turning back.

Urich's list of FEI leadership positions has grown exponentially: He was president of his chapter in 2001, and starting as area director in 2003, he began serving on the national board of directors in a variety of roles: area vice president, in 2004; treasurer, in 2005; secretary, in 2007; senior vice president at large, in 2008; and now he's reached the pinnacle as chairman.

Urich has shown threads of consistency throughout his life. He's worked at the same company since 1980--practically since earning his MBA with a concentration in accounting in 1977--and has been married to the same woman, Gail, for 34 years. They have two children: Greg, 26; and Andrea, 28.

At candy-maker Hershey, he's worked his way up through several jobs and divisions--Hershey Foods Corp., Hershey Chocolate U.S.A.--and with The Hershey Co., since 1988, he's been serving as director, External Reporting and Compliance, since 2006.

As chair this year, Urich says it's an exciting time to be an FEI leader and particularly to work with President and CEO Marie Hollein, adding, "she's the right leader [for FEI] at the right time."

Referring to Hollein's, statement in the March issue of Financial Executive: "It's FEI's time to shine," Urich says he concurs...