4 OCTOBER 2018 • FOGHORN PVA Leaders Gather in Washington, DC Several important PVA meetings were held this month just outside of Washington, DC to consider and discuss a wide range of issues impacting PVA member operations. PVA leaders met with Rear Admiral John Nadeau, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, and other key Coast Guard personnel at the PVA/Coast Guard Quality Partnership Meeting (QP). In addition, the PVA Safety and Security Committee, the PVA Regulatory Committee and the PVA Board of Directors all gathered separately to tackle full agendas. PVA Board of Directors and PVA’s Permanent Reserve Fund During the PVA Board of Directors Meeting, Board members continued work to address a question that came up during the Business Meeting of the PVAAnnual Convention at MariTrends 2018 in Savannah. The question was basically how much should PVA maintain in its permanent financial reserves or “rainy day” fund. To help answer this question, we brought in Joan Renner from CPA firm Renner and Company to conduct a risk- based analysis exercise to determine an appropriate financial reserve level for our association. The process identified inherent financial risks that the association might face and then quantified those risks. A survey was sent to PVA Board members prior to this exercise to get their opinions about potential risk factors facing the as- sociation. The Board analyzed and prioritized the survey data. After a great deal of discussion, the Board passed a motion to direct the PVA Finance Committee to take this information and develop a formula that will ultimately be used to set a reserve fund target and then report back to the Board for their consideration. I found this exercise to be particularly instructive and very important to the effective long-term management of our association. We will highlight this work for the PVA member- ship during the Business Meeting at the PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends 2019 in New Orleans. I hope to see you there. PVA/Coast Guard Quality Partnership Meeting We appreciate meeting with key Coast Guard leaders twice a year at the QP as it gives us an opportunity to have meaningful discussions about issues impacting industry. Also, quite a few non-regulatory work products have emerged from this activity; most recently the Slips, Trips and Falls Report which is intended to help passenger vessel operators reduce these types of accidents. Thanks to Ed Vaughn, DeJong and Lebet, Jacksonville, FL for attending this meeting to report on his work with the Coast Guard on guidelines for using lithium-ion batteries. PVA Regulatory Committee Congratulations to PVA Board Member Steve Jones, Gateway Clipper Fleet, Pittsburgh, PA, who as the new Chairman of the PVA Regulatory Committee conducted an excellent committee meeting. While gov- ernment activity on regulatory matters has slowed dramatically, the committee has several exciting work products in play which are aimed at providing regulatory relief for PVA members. The PVA Regulatory Committee is actively seeking new members to participate. If you are interested in joining this group, please contact Steve at sjones@gatewayclipper.com. PVA Safety and Security Committee During its meeting, the PVA Safety Committee elected new leaders—Chairman, Ben Bernstein, BB Riverboats, Newport, KY and Vice Chairman Earnesto Coleman, Hornblower Cruises and Events, San Diego, CA. Congratulations to both. Thanks must also go to Mike McElroy, Wendella Sightseeing Boats, Chicago, IL who is the outgoing Chairman of the Committee. Mike did an outstanding job chairing this committee and we appreci- ate his leadership. The PVASafety and Security Committee continues its tradition of hard work and has numerous new products in the pipeline for PVA members. Volunteering is Vital Volunteers form the foundation of our association. PVA has a rich history of involving dedicated members in a variety of important activities and projects that make sig- nificant contributions to PVA members. PVA’s credibility with Congress and the regulatory agencies and its indus- try-wide activities in promoting safety are a direct result of PVAmembers and staff working together for the common good. I urge you to get involved in PVA as a volunteer. If you would like to discuss how you can become a PVA volunteer, contact me at gus@riverrides.com. I will be glad to give you some ideas on how you can participate in the work of your association. Sincerely, Gus Gaspardo President n LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Gus Gaspardo