I am thrilled to have served this wonderful organization as your president for 2011. In everything I do, I learn and grow, and always benefit from the formation of relationships with terrific people who I know will be lifelong friends.

I am proud to report that ASHHRA is in the best shape ever, a condition that has been continuously improved by many outstanding past presidents and boards of directors and the best ASHHRA staff this organization has ever had! Our Regional Consultants and committee chairs and committee members this year were in high gear with some of the best initiatives and ideas this ASHHRA member has ever seen. I have worked with them, learned from them, had great fun and many laughs with them, and they have earned my respect many times over!

But... the ASHHRA Executive Committee of the board this year was extra special, so I thought it appropriate to leave them in great shape for the future with a big request to someone I still firmly believe in!

Dear Santa,

The ASHHRA Executive Committee and Stephanie Drake were extra good boys and girls this year and I hope you can fulfill their every wish. Here they are, so don’t let me down, oh bearded one.

Jeff Payne – Please provide Jeff new challenges each and every year, because we have enjoyed watching Jeff adapt to the changes while working extremely hard for ASHHRA. We all know Jeff is a high energy guy, who works extremely hard, and we like him that way! He was a good boy this year and the Thought Leader Forum and Nominating Committee process were the best ever!

Irma Pye – New "birding" binoculars that can easily fit in her luggage. Birding has been her fun hobby and they will come in handy as she leads ASHHRA to the mountains of Denver next year. But Santa, you might need to carve some time out for her in Denver so she can get to the mountains. As ASHHRA President, she will have little time to "bird"!

Joe Micucci – A 2012 World Series win for the Philadelphia Phillies. This year, they did not eat enough Tastykakes (a Philadelphia special treat) to finish the job and make it to the World Series! With that incredible pitching staff they should have been there hands down! Give Joe some Tastykakes too, and... and Tom McCawley too... and... me too! We are all from Pennsyl-tucky!

Stephanie Drake – More hours in a day! I really think Stephanie needs more than 24 hours in a day because she is so committed to what she does. Since she is so engaged in her work, I think she could use some hours at the end of the workday to do some non-ASHHRA stuff, like training for marathons. Santa, tread lightly on this because Stephanie is so highly organized and efficient that we wouldn’t want you to mess up the current DNA!

For me, Santa... my wish is for the board, staff, and committees of ASHHRA to have smooth sailing next year. They deserve it!

To my ASHHRA friends, remember, Santa comes from the heart! Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all!

Bob Walters, MS, SPHR
Corporate Director, HR Operations
Health First, Inc.
3550 North Harbor City Blvd.
Melbourne, FL 32932-0069
(321) 434-1957
bob.walters@health-first.org