(The goals and objectives of the Tax Executives Institute under its 45th president, Ralph J. Weiland.) (President's Page).

• Author: Weiland, Ralph J.

For an incoming leader, transitions are at once an exhilarating and a humbling thing. They are exhilarating because you are given an opportunity to lead an outstanding organization that truly does make a difference. They are humbling because, as you are tempted to bask in that achievement, you realize that your new post involves hundreds of challenges, thousands of nuances, and millions of different details. You also realize that you did not attain the new post all by yourself - that you owe a debt of gratitude to many people. Perhaps most humbling, you realize that you will need help, for there is no way you can do the job by yourself. At least that's the way I feel as I prepare to become TEI's 45th President.

I joined TEI 13 years ago, and have belonged to both the Pittsburgh and Chicago Chapters. I have served on both the chapter and Institute Boards of Directors, have been a member of several committees, have chaired the Federal Tax and IRS Administrative Affairs Committees, and have served on the Executive Committee. TEI has contributed to my professional growth, and I know that I owe a personal debt of gratitude to many, many people. From my family and my coworkers, to the members who have served with me on Institute committees and the Board, to the tax executives who have been willing to share ideas and experiences - all made it possible for me to grow as a person and a tax executive. All helped prepare me for becoming President of TEI. I thank them all, and I thank all of you for the vote of confidence.

A special note of appreciation is due my predecessor, Bob Perlman. Bob has been an outstanding President. He assembled a strong leadership team, infused it with enthusiasm, set ambitious but achievable goals, and went at it. I commend Bob for accomplishing what every TEI President strives to do: moving the Institute forward. Last year, when Bob became President, The Tax Executiue headline read "What about Bob? He's TEI President." If the magazine were to answer the question this year, the story would go like this: "What about Bob? He's done a faaaantastic job!" Thanks, Bob.

Goals and Objectives

After many years of TEI membership, I know that the strength of the Institute lies not with any one person. It lies with the membership as a whole. It lies with its diversity. My primary goal as the Institute's President is to play to TEI's diversity and its strengths, and to build upon the accomplishments of prior years by harnessing the...