There were 50 students and 117 members and guests in attendance at this year’s Student Night. While we didn’t beat the record of 205, the total of 167 attendees ties for second place in total attendance at a Chapter meeting in the last eight years. Those at the April meeting were treated to interesting presentations by two of Academic Relations Chair Dr. Bob Okopny’s students, an update on IIA Certification training and study skills by Dr. Bob himself, and a panel discussion on Personal Branding for a Successful Career in Internal Auditing.

April 8th was also election night for Chapter officers and members of the Board of Governors for the 2008-2009 Chapter year. Elected to officer positions were:

Mark Weintraub President
Sharon Gipson First Vice President
Athena Avgousti Second Vice President
Terri Coppens Treasurer
Mike Ross Secretary

Elected to the Board of Governors were:

Matt Burgess Term Ending 2010
Tanya Cooper-Crockett Term Ending 2011
Les Laframboise Term Ending 2011
Bruce Ring Term Ending 2011
Susan Yamin Term Ending 2011

Thanks to “retiring” Board members Owen Rockentine and John Vadalabene and to truly retiring Treasurer John McCormick. Each of these individuals has served the Chapter well for many years and we are grateful for their time and effort in advancing the Chapter’s interests.

We are coming to the end of the Chapter year, another one that has been successful thanks to the Officers, Board members and Committee Chair and members. Thanks to them, the Chapter has again attained the Gold level in the IIA Chapter Achievement Program and we will therefore maintain our Platinum status. Whew!

As CAP Chair, Marty Wood has done his usual excellent job of keeping us on task and on time, ensuring we reach the Gold! My personal thanks go to the Board, Officers and Committee Chairs who have made my term as President easy and enjoyable. Special thanks to Pam Bishop and the Program Committee for once again developing a year full of interesting and engaging topics for our meetings and for introducing the half-day in-depth sessions that were well received and attended. With both Suzanne and John McCormick retiring this year, this message will not be complete without a special mention of the many, many years of service both of them have given to the Detroit Chapter. We are very sorry (for ourselves) to see them go and wish them great health and happiness in their retirement.

The last meeting of the year is May 13, 2008 at the Ford Conference and Events Center in Dearborn. Special events for the meeting include Awards Night and IIA Certification Recognition. And, we have some surprises planned, so you won’t want to miss this one. We have one more chance to beat the attendance record this Chapter year and need 206 members and guests in attendance to do it. Please be one!

Have a safe and happy Summer.

Matt Burgess, CIA, CPA
President, Detroit Chapter IIA