Yes, we can!

• Author: Hollein, Marie

During this time of economic turmoil, FEI finds itself at a turning point, and I am honored to serve as your new president and CEO. I want to express my excitement to be able to represent you, to meet you in person, to lead you and our association to where we need to go, and to define the plan for how we will get there.

To this end, FEI is embarking on a journey toward a new strategic plan that will involve the entire organization. The membership will have input into this plan, and it is our hope that this new direction will outline a number of priorities, challenges and opportunities to make the organization an even stronger and more unified body--one that is better positioned to serve its membership. It is this plan that will serve as the roadmap for my tenure as FEI's leader.

Over the past year, the financial community has undoubtedly experienced one of the most uncertain periods in history. Despite these unprecedented times, FEI continues to remain the leading association for corporate financial management--truly a testament to the chapters and members and the level of pride, skill and enthusiasm brought to our organization.

Crisis is not new. Our nation--and FEI--has been there before. Indeed, FEI was born at a dark time, in December 1931. At that time eight million people were out of work. Banks closed. Businesses failed. Investment evaporated. Bankruptcies prevailed. The Dow Jones Industrial Average had dropped to a miserable 41, down from 400. The very viability of capitalism was being questioned.

Two days before the end of that year, eight corporate controllers met in New York City. Their conversation may not have been bubbling with economic optimism, but their agenda carried a spark of hope--to complete the final details to launch a new organization of financial executives, the Controllers Institute of America. They wanted to form an organization that would help financial executives agree on practical standards and an ethical ideal. They wanted to define their profession, exchange ideas about its practice, educate themselves and others and work with the government to improve the general economy. In short, they wanted to dignify the practice of accountancy at the level of corporate leadership.

Over the next 78 years, the Controllers Institute of America expanded to become what we are today--Financial Executives International--an organization continually striving to provide professional and ethical leadership, and be the voice of...