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Dear ASHHRA Members,

GETTING TO KNOW YOU, GETTING TO KNOW ME

Happy New Year! My wish to you for 2011, is to remain healthy, employed, and challenged in your work! I want to start the year with some encouragement. If you have gotten to know me, you may have heard me mention this before, but ASHHRA needs your voice. Your participation in making our organization "Great to Greater" is what I’d like to see continuously throughout the new year and beyond, and into this "era of change." So, how can you help us, you ask? The simplest form of involvement is giving us your feedback. HR people are generally not shy about doing so. If there is something you’d like to see improved or implemented, please let me, or any of your 2011 ASHHRA Board, or Stephanie Drake and the ASHHRA staff know what’s on your mind. We are here to serve.

On a higher level, get involved with a committee or volunteer for a board assignment when the nomination process begins. I have always said there are those who "do" and those who watch others "do." Be a "doer"! This is your organization and if you want to make it "greater," be a "doer." We welcome you! In my HR role and as a leader my emphasis to those who have worked with me has always been two-fold, teamwork and customer service. Without it, we are less than effective.

My promise to you for 2011 is that our board, your leadership team, will strive to provide the highest level of customer service and aspire to be the best team ever. We have some significant goals for this year, in conjunction with our strategic plan, and are ready to take them on aggressively. In order for you to know me a little better, on the Gallup Strengths Finder assessment, my strengths in leadership are Arranger, WOO, Maximizer, Strategic, and Relator. On the Myers Briggs, I am an ENFP. That will tell you volumes about me! I look forward to meeting many more of you and getting to know you throughout the year.

In closing, I would like to thank 2010 President Jeff Payne for his outstanding leadership and guidance. In addition, I offer great respect and admiration for the 2010 Board of Directors and the tremendous work that was accomplished in a year of turbulent economics. We are much stronger for that effort. For those departing our Board, Past President Dan Zuhlke, Bob Morrison, Jim Frain, and my fellow "Blues Brother" Barry Lindeman, I salute you and will cherish your leadership and friendship. Again, this organization is much stronger because of you! To Stephanie and the ASHHRA staff, you worked miracles in 2010 and I thank you. I look forward to working with you for an even more successful 2011!

Robert Walters, 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