What person comes to your mind when you think of Texas Bandmasters? The person that comes to my mind, and probably yours, is Al Sturchio. TBA has been blessed for the past 24 years to have him as our Executive Director. He and Janice have been a tremendous asset to our organization. The current TBA Board of Directors is grateful to have had the opportunity to serve with Al and Janice. Part of our Convention/Clinic this July will be set aside to honor them for their service.

TBA President, Cody Myers, along with the Board of Directors .had the hard task of filling the shoes of Al. With Cody's leadership, we formed a Search Committee headed by Past-President Susan Scarborough to take on this tremendous task. The committee brought names to the board for interviews. We were all pleased to have a list of such qualified names from the committee to choose from. When the interviews were finished, we chose Mike Brashear to be the new Executive Director of TBA. We all felt like Mike could step in and continue the vision of TBA. I am personally excited about the choice since I will be the first President serving with Mike as Executive Director.

Our membership is in good hands for the future. Mike will bring the knowledge of having served TBA on the Board of Directors. With this knowledge he will be able to make a smooth transition. I look forward to serving with him in the future.

Al will certainly be missed by all. His wealth of knowledge and contacts have helped TBA move forward over the past years. I thought of an anonymous quote while writing this article. It says, "Some people pass through this world and leave it just as they found it, but people like you take the time to do special things that make the world more beautiful. Thank you, my friend. I, as well as the entire membership of TBA, will miss and treasure the times you gave to us.

I am honored and pleased to serve our membership and look forward to seeing you at the Convention/Clinic this summer.

Gary Robbins, 2007-08 President Elect