TEI's chapters continue to impress.

• Author: McCormally, Timothy J.
• Position: Tax Executives Institute

My travels in April and May give further proof that the strength of Tax Executives Institute lies in the network of 54 chapters around the world and its cadre of volunteer leaders. In mid-April, I trekked to Minneapolis for the chapter's 25th Annual President's Seminar. This low-cost, two-day program, which sometimes doubles as a regional conference, routinely draws more than 300 tax professionals, and features both plenary and concurrent sessions on technical topics, as well as a vendor show that affords the participants the chance to mingle with professionals from software, professional service, and publishing firms.

I want to thank Arne Espeseth of Medtronic, the chapter's current president, for his stewardship of the chapter during the past year and his hospitality at the conference where, among other things, he helped me wend my way through the Minneapolis skyway during a rain storm. Arne would be the first to say that special recognition goes to two of his predecessors whose leadership and logistical skills made the silver anniversary of the President's Seminar another example of why, dollar for dollar and minute for minute, you cannot beat TEI's educational offerings. Joe Bohlke of General Mills and Chuck Fitzer of Benfield, who led the chapter, respectively in 2006-2007 and 2005-2006, put in many long hours planning this year's conference, and we are in their debt.

The strength and vitality of the Minnesota Chapter is enhanced by the continuing involvement of its past presidents, including Chuck and, next year I'm sure, Arne. One reason I enjoy attending the conference is that it gives me the opportunity to renew acquaintances with members, many of them now retired, who have given so much to the Institute. This year, for example, I was able to catch up with Sandy Navin, an associate member who was exceedingly active at the Institute level before he retired in 1997. As I recall, Sandy and I first worked together on the Institute's Alternative Tax Systems Committee. He also served on the Federal Tax and Awards Committee, as well as a long-time member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee. A former Institute officer and recipient of the Institute's President's Award for outstanding service at the Institute level, one of Sandy's most lasting TEI legacies is without a doubt at the chapter level: He was the father of the Minnesota Chapter's President's Seminar. Congratulations, poppa, on your baby reaching 25.

I would be...