FEI emphasizing the 'I' in International.

• Author: Hollein, Marie N.
• Position: FROM THE PRESIDENT

In February of 2011, I traveled to Japan with Mitch Danaher of General Electric Co. on behalf of FEI's International Task Force, to achieve part of FBI's mission by placing greater emphasis on the "I" in Financial Executives International.

Fast-forward a year. On Feb. 22, we celebrated the start of a new and exciting journey with the launch of the FEI Japan Chapter.

The inaugural event--with more than 100 senior financial executives in alien-dance--included a panel on International Financial Reporting Standards. For evervone involved, it was a highly gratifying moment, provides and I want to personally lice 3nd thank all who made it possible for their spirited efforts, hard work and commitment.

Since our trip to Tokyo last year, I've been asked two questions. First: "Why Japan?" In response, it's not jusl the rich trade relationship our two countries have enjoyed over the years, or the fact that our economies are similar and our political systems aligned.

It was an opportunity to take the next logical step in our global evolution. FEI was formed in 1931 as the Controllers Institute of America. Over time, we became Financial Executives Institute and finally, a little more than a decade ago, Financial Executives International.

Since 1973, we've maintained a strong relationship with our Canadian financial executive neighbors to the north--FEI has 11 Canadian chapters and 74 U.S. chaplers. But, to become a truly global association of financial executives, FEI would have to expand beyond North America. Thus, Japan was a welcome addition.

Soon, perhaps, we'll be celebrating new chapters in other countries. We already share relationships with financial executives in Italy, France, Australia and Mexico.

The second question I am often asked is "Why now?" To which I respond, why not? Is there a better moment to plant our organizational flag abroad? Globalization is a given in businesses and with new international financial reporting standards on the horizon, the complexity of transactions and relationships will only deepen. Given the unsettled global economic outlook, having a wider presence for the association provides us with a more global perspective as well as a global voice and recognition to speak on behalf of our members before international standard setters and regulators.

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