It has been one quick and rewardingyear for me as ASA president. In my first letter of the year, I emphasized how important it was for everyone to “jump in” and take advantage of the benefits that an ASA membership has to offer.

That was a challenge to both members and nonmembers. Based on the fact we have enjoyed a fourth consecutive year of net membership growth as an association, I think many of you have successfully taken that plunge! I hope you all have found membership within ASA as rewarding as I have over the years.

Our educational programs are becoming the strongest offerings in the Education Foundation’s history and they only get better each year. Our financial strength as an organization maintains its ongoing growth, allowing us to reinvest in new membership programs to the maximum benefit of ASA members. In addition, we carry forward our strong advocacy program through Dan Hilton in Washington as well as our enhanced business intelligence offerings, which continue to be among the most popular ASA member benefits.

One of the key reasons ASA continues the incredible growth it has experienced over the last several years is the leadership of Executive Vice President Mike Adelizzi and his staff. I have them to thank for guiding me through the past year, and more importantly making my time as president an efficient and pleasant experience. Throughout the past 12 months, both ASA and ASA Education Foundation staff have made my work as 2015 ASA president both rewarding and effortless.

Once again this year under the leadership of this fine group we saw expansion of the Young Executives and Women in Industry divisions as well as ASA’s industry career awareness efforts. Also, ASA held its first-ever collaborative legislative fly-in with an industry buying group (WIT and its members were on Capitol Hill in early fall). This begins a trend for ASA that will hopefully continue well into the future with other coalitions.

I also have to recognize the ASA Executive Committee, which starting with our strategic planning meetings in February, continues to give ASA the tools it needs to maintain strong growth throughout this year, next year and beyond. John Strong (Economy Plumbing Supply), Tim Milford (Milford Supply), Steve Cook (Northeastern Supply),John Mills (WHCI Plumbing Supply), Brian Tuohey (Collins Pipe & Supply), Brad Englert (Ideal Supply), Nick Giuffre (Bradford White) and Steve Letko (Weldbend) helped carry the ASA torch with me this past year. Thanks to all of you.

Moving into a new year, I have every confidence ASA will continue its tremendous growth under the expert leadership of Tim Milford, who will serve as 2016 ASA president. I am confident Tim’s 2016 will be as positive and rewarding as 2015 was for me.

Most of all, thanks to all of you, the professionals, leaders and visionaries, who have built our industry into what it is today. This past year has been an experience I won’t soon forget. I look forward to a great 2016 and hope to see you all soon!