The fall rush begins.

• Author: Hollein, Marie
• Position: President's page - Financial executives

As the busy fall season begins, it is my pleasure to welcome FEI's new Board of Directors, chaired by Gerald R. Urich, the director of External Reporting and Compliance at The Hershey Co. Jerry is joined on the board by a slate of experienced and seasoned members who I am confident will lead our organization well as it heads into the future.

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Jerry posed a great question when he was profiled in the last issue of Financial Executive: In this day and age, why would a senior financial executive who is eligible for membership not join, considering all the benefits and services FEI offered.

"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?" he asked.

How indeed?

Member Support Spurs Growth

I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank all FEI members for their continued support. We realize that the harsh market realities of the past year have placed financial executives under enormous pressure. But if ever there were a time to reflect on FEI's goal to be the association of choice for senior-level financial executives through networking, knowledge, advocacy and ethical leadership: this is that time.

That said, I would like to ask each and every FEl member to make a personal commitment to recruit at least one eligible new member in the next 12 months. Not only will this benefit our organization, it will also benefit the new companies our new members hail from.

Just think about how FEI's vast network of members, knowledge and research can assist companies of all sizes--both public and privately held--survive and thrive in these rough economic times.

I always like to remind myself that FEI was founded in the depths of the Great Depression--back in 1931--as the Controllers Institute of America. If something as strong as FEI could be born from the economic rubble of the 1930s, just imagine what we can accomplish and how we can grow despite the "Great Recession" of today.

Make no mistake: FEI will continue to strive to be the most contemporary, dynamic and proactive organization of its kind. Together, we are a...