Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 404 MARCH 2017 • FOGHORN A Bright Future for PVA Members I am deeply honored to serve as your 2017 President. I thank the membership, the PVA Board of Directors, Past President Margo Marks, and all the previous presidents and officers. I also want to thank the PVAstaff for their constant support over the years. Coming off a very successful PVAAnnual Convention at MariTrends 2017, I want to thank all those who gave presentations, sponsored events, exhibited on the convention floor, and everyone who attended. A special thank you to Alan and Mary Bernstein, Tamara Callabro, and the A/V team (Clay, Matt and Chris) who, along with our PVAstaff, put on the full court press to organize and run the event. These folks were in meetings while we were eating breakfast. I’d like to take a few minutes to talk about our PVA. As your incoming President, it’s my obligation to outline programs and progress for the coming year. It isn’t easy to think of everything that PVA does. Number one on my list would be to maintain and grow our membership. Without a strong membership base there are no dues and therefore no money for programs and salaries. Without membership, there is no organization. Next would be a dutiful effort to safeguard our funds, minimize waste, and to make our financial base grow. There would be legislative and regulatory monitor- ing and lobbying. Although the new Administration has promised fewer regulations, there will always be new legislation and regulation. Reading, dissecting, and understanding proposed legislation and regulations, as well as preparing comments to dockets will help protect members from items harmful to their businesses. This task would include Congressional outreach to educate our Senators and Representatives about who we are, who we are not, and what hurts our industry. Fourth, would be a continued, enviable safety record achieved not only from owner and operator responsibil- ity, but aided by PVA-supplied information, guidance, and safety products. Last, but not least, do our associate members feel that PVA membership enhances their businesses? Do they feel if they have an issue it will be heard and do they feel they are important to the organization? I believe that these goals are reachable. Why? Because these goals are reached daily. Our organization is growing. Our FOGHORN Magazine is an excellent communications tool thanks to staff writers and through the dedication of Managing Editor Karen Rainbolt. Through the efforts of Jen Wilk, Chairperson Suzanne Krug, and an active and dedicated Membership Committee, PVA continues to attract new member companies. These companies represent all facets of our industry. They also represent a very diverse group of Associate members who supply products and services for our Vessel member companies. Our Associate members purchase booth space at our con- vention, advertise in FOGHORN to offset production costs, sponsor many of our events, and are active in our regions. Our finances are under the watchful eyes of Robin Trinko-Russell, the Finance Committee, Director of Finance Leslie Kagarise, CFO Lee Hill, and Executive Director John Groundwater. I remember when I was Secretary-Treasurer, with checks that Leslie sent to me to sign, there was always a handwritten explana- tion where the money was going. In addition to our daily finance checks and balances, we have a sound Investment Committee led by Chairman Walt Webster who works with a team of investment advisors to ensure the long-term financial health of the organization. PVA has a Legislative Committee chaired by Chuck Moser and Legislative Director Ed Welch. They, and their Committee, are continually monitoring bills making their way through Congress, studying them and deter- mining which could harm or benefit our industry. Gus Gaspardo and Regulatory Affairs advisor Pete Lauridsen, along with the Regulatory Committee, are active in addressing evolving regulation, explaining it to the membership and seeing where it could be amended to be more beneficial to us. The Safety and Security Committee is always active in addressing issues affecting your industry. From slips, trips and falls, security drill scenarios, or safety products, the Committee will address anything that is harmful or helpful to you. Eric Christensen, former Chair Bob Lawler, and new Committee chairs Mike McElroy and Ben Bernstein do a tremendous job in keeping the Committee on point. The Associate Members Council, chaired by Carl Micu, takes the pulse of our Associate members. What they are happy about, what they’re dissatisfied with, and how theAssociation can help them reach their goals. So why did I go through all of this? Because we want you. PVA is a member-driven organization. I truly believe our committee system is the most important component of the organization. We have a tremendous staff but your insight is needed and welcome. Well, you may think, “What if I don’t know anything about legisla- LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Jeff Whitaker CONTINUED ON PAGE 38