Members first ... for 68 years.

• Author: Twinem, Carita R.
• Position: President's Corner

It seems like only yesterday when Chuck Rau, my then-boss at Allis-Chalmers in Milwaukee, poked his head into my spreadsheet-filled cubicle and said, "Carita, there is this organization, Tax Executives Institute, TEI, that I think you should join. It is absolutely the way to get connected to the in-house tax community." It wasn't yesterday, of course; it was 1986, and at Chuck's urging I started to attend meetings of TEI's Wisconsin Chapter. I started building my own network. About two years later, shortly after leaving Allis-Chalmers and joining Briggs & Stratton, I filed my membership application, and less than three months later, I was admitted to TEI.

Becoming a TEI member in 1988 has turned out to be one of the best professional decisions that I have made. (Thank you, Chuck, for that nudge 24 years ago!) The Wisconsin Chapter was an excellent place for me to start enjoying the benefits of TEI. Marion Youngers, a past chapter president, encouraged me to become active in TEI and go beyond attending meetings to becoming immersed in industry issues--again, solid advice, which I embraced. Local involvement led to local leadership opportunities, and a chance to help shape the direction of my chapter. I was proud to serve as the chapter's 1999-2000 President. From there, taking notice of the expanding opportunities for women in leadership roles beyond the local chapter, I had the good fortune to meet Judy Zelisko of Brunswick Corporation (in the Chicago Chapter), and she helped guide my development on the national TEI stage, including service as TEI's Federal Tax Committee Chair.

Why do I dwell on personal TEI history? Certainly not because it was unique. Indeed, it is rather commonplace, and I truly believe it represents an example of the best of what TEI has offered in-house tax professionals since our founding in 1944: Members helping members, enabling them to develop, grow and thrive. In short, TEI is all about putting members first. So, when I was selected for TEI's leadership queue, I determined that the theme of my year as president would be "Members First." I am pleased that the Board of Directors ratified this theme at its first meeting on August 14.

Broadly speaking, "Members First" means listening to our members, advocating for them and the issues of most concern to them, and having TEI leadership truly be representative of the membership at large. This coming year it will also entail carefully examining key facets of our...