I am delighted and honored to serve as your president this year. Our recent Fall Conference broke all records with 355 participants in addition to our 41 program sponsors. I want to personally thank two of our board members, who completed their terms, for their hard work and dedication to the LA GFOA – Steven Stanfield, Desoto Parish School Board (immediate past president), and Don Gaudet (Lafourche Parish School Board (board member).

Our spring conference will be here before you know it. Dr. Lynda Dennis and Michael Bertaut will help us get our “House in Order.” You can download a brochure from the website to register. Dr. Dennis spoke earlier this month at our Winter Workshop where participants gave her excellent ratings. They said that she was as entertaining as she was knowledgeable. And from the evaluations, she was VERY knowledgeable. So for those of you who want to hear her again, here’s your chance.

Don’t forget to renew your 2010 membership (download a form from the website), and while you are at it, take a little extra time to look over the requirements to become a Certified Government Finance Officer. You can request a study guide by downloading the form or contacting Billie Tripp at 225-644-0619.

Mark your calendar for our 2010 Fall Conference to be held October 6-8 at the Baton Rouge Crowne Plaza. Please let us know of any speakers or topics that you think would be of interest for this conference.

I look forward to seeing you in Lake Charles!

Lorrie R. Toups, LA GFOA President

Accounting Director,
Lafayette Consolidated Government (formerly with Jefferson Parish)