NASHVILLE NOTES. Michelle

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1 NASHVILLE NOTES December 2014 Volume 38, Number 5 Michelle Earhart Nashville Chapter President Inside this edition Luncheon speaker spotlight Committee News Member News Training Opportunities Upcoming Events 1/5/15 Luncheon Meeting 1/13-14/15 Winter Seminar 1/28/15 Audio Conference 2/2/15 Luncheon Meeting 2/4/15 Audio Conference 3/4/15 Audio Conference 3/25-27/15 SE Regional PDT, Gatlinburg, TN 4/29/15 Audio Conference July 12-15, 2015 National PDT, Nashville, TN You have probably heard by now that Tennessee s chief of accounting officer, Jan Sylvis, is retiring from the state to serve as the vice-chair of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). You may recall that Mrs. Sylvis, a member of AGA since 1980, won AGA s William R. Snodgrass Distinguished Leadership Award last year. And as most Tennesseans know, this award is named after a Tennessee legend who was one of the government accountability community s greatest visionaries. As government accountability professionals in Tennessee, we have a reputation -- built by Mrs. Sylvis and Mr. Snodgrass, among others to uphold. I think it is a tremendous honor to have that appointment bestowed upon us. It was actually Mrs. Sylvis that asked me to be chapter President, and I have had the honor and privilege to work under her for the last eight years in the Department of Finance and Administration. One of the things I most admire about her is her stoicism, remaining calm in the throes of adversity. That is a quality that I think you will find in all true great leaders and that I have needed much improvement on myself. And, I will sincerely say I think I remained much calmer under the unforeseen events surrounding December s luncheon than I would have just five years ago. I probably would not have handled it with the restraint that I did. No need to speculate how I would have reacted, the point is that I know I have to sometimes give into things that are out of my control, but not by failing to act. I hope everyone took advantage of the opportunity to network with your fellow AGA members. You never know, you may have been sitting with and talking to a future Tennessee chief of accounts. Since this is the last newsletter before the New Year, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and please be safe! I hope to see you at January s luncheon with TBI s director Mark Gwynn and to encourage you to check out next month s winter seminar agenda. The Education Committee has planned an outstanding program and is bringing in quality speakers to discuss some unique topics. A Stoic is someone who transforms fear into prudence, pain into transformation, mistakes into initiation, and desire into undertaking. Nassim Nicholas Taleb Michelle

2 Save the Date Luncheon Meeting Dates September 8, 2014 October 14, 2014 November 3, 2014 December 1, 2014 January 5, 2015 February 2, 2015 March 9, 2015 April 6, 2015 May 4, 2015 CEC Meeting Dates August 28, 2014 September 25, 2014 October 30, 2014 November 20, 2014 December 18, 2014 January 29, 2015 February 26, 2015 March 26, 2015 April 30, 2015 Audio Conference How Do you Spell Success? E-T-H-I-C-S! December 10, 2014 Winter Seminar January 13 14, 2015, Nashville State Community College Audio Conference Strengthening Grants Management January 28, 2015 Audio Conference Performance Management February 4, 2015 Audio Conference Government Financial Management March 4, 2015 Southeast Regional Professional Development Training (PDT) March 25-27, 2015, Edgewater Hotel Gatlinburg, TN Audio Conference Fraud Prevention April 29, 2015 AGA s National Professional Development Training Event (PDT) July 12 15, 2015 Gaylord Opryland Nashville, TN AGA s annual premier education event offers up to 24 CPE hours and brings together the top officials in federal, state and local government as well as academia and the private sector for three and a half days of intensive training and networking. AGA s PDT has been the go-to event for the government accountability community for over 60 years. Pictured above is the Nashville Chapter booth promoting the 2015 National PDT at this year s event.

3 January Luncheon Speaker TBI Director, Mark Gwyn In 2010, Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen reappointed Mark Gwyn to serve a second term as Director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), the state s lead investigative law enforcement agency. He was appointed to his first six-year term in 2004 and is the first African- American to ever serve in this capacity. The position prompted Director Gwyn to be a catalyst for change within the bureau emphasizing the use of technology in law enforcement. Director Gwyn has completed some of the most prestigious law enforcement and leadership training programs in the industry including the 33rd session of the FBI s National Executive Institute, the John F. Kennedy School of Government from Harvard University and the FBI s Leadership in Counter- Terrorism program. He is a graduate of the 59th session of the FBI s Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar, the 195th session of the FBI National Academy, the TBI Criminal Investigation Academy and the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy. In 2006, he graduated from the Leadership Nashville Foundation and in 1999 the Tennessee Government Executive Institute. Director Gwyn also received extensive terrorism training conducted in Israel by the Israeli National Police while attending the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange. A native of McMinnville, TN, Director Gwyn has spent his entire career in public safety. A graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, he began as a patrolman with the McMinnville Police Department, then joined the TBI as a Special Agent in He was promoted to Executive Officer in 1996 and then supervised the state s three crime labs as TBI Assistant Director in charge of the Forensic Services Division until accepting the Director s position. Since becoming Director, Gwyn has expanded the TBI into a far-reaching law enforcement agency. He has overseen the creation of the Technical Services Unit putting an emphasis on high tech surveillance methods, computer forensics and battling internet crime with the launch of a Cyber Crimes Unit. Under his watch, the state s Fusion Center was constructed within TBI headquarters housing Homeland Security among other programs such as AMBER Alert and Tennessee s Sex Offender Registry. With a strong belief that drugs are the root of most crimes, Director Gwyn has committed the Drug Investigation Division to targeting mid to high-level drug dealers. Director Gwyn has been an active member of the Governor s Meth Task Force, which crafted legislation designed to stop methamphetamine production across the state. Currently, the Director is instrumental in halting the distribution, sale and abuse of prescription drugs. In 2010, he was the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award for professional achievement. Additionally, Director Gwyn serves on several advisory boards, which include the IACP Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs TBI Director, Mark R. Gwyn Committee, the University of Tennessee National Forensic Academy Board, the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and the Criminal Intelligence Coordinator Council. Lastly, he serves as the Vice- President for the Board of Directors of the Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA). He is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

4 Committee News Membership Committee Community Service Community Service Each month our membership grows! Welcome new members! Our goal is 400 members by January We currently have 370 members. The member who sponsors the most new members between September and December will win free registration to the National AGA Conference in Nashville or registration and travel to the Southeast Regional Conference in Gatlinburg. Sponsor the most and win the prize! New members get a free lunch after joining, and the second year of full membership is prorated. Invite a first-time guest to lunch and win a $5 gift card. AGA is a win-win organization. Early Career Be sure to visit the Association of Government Accountants Nashville Chapter Facebook and click like. Watch for details on the upcoming newsletter contest. The Early Career Committee plans to send out more information this week. The winner will be sent to the premier training event AGA Southeast Region Spring 2015 Seminar to be held in Gatlinburg, Tennessee March 25 March 27, The deadline will be by January 31, and a winner selected in February. January begins AGA s Community Service support of End Slavery TN. - End Slavery is a 501C3 organization founded by Derri Smith in 2008, whose goal is to end human trafficking in Tennessee. The mission is to promote healing of human trafficking survivors and confront the epidemic proportion of slavery in our state. AGA s Community Service support begins with providing basic items for survivor rescue kits and/or contributing money to the cause. Please contact Angela McElrath-Prosser or Pamela Marks for donations or to establish a drop off site. Items needed are listed below: Emergency Care Kits Girls/Women New yoga or stretch pants (S,M.L.XL, please mark the outside of bag with clothing size) New T-shirts Socks Underwear (same size as pants) Feminine products Slippers Shampoo/Conditioner Face Wash Deodorant Lip-balm Hair Brush/Hair Ties Small Blanket/throw Toothbrush/Toothpaste Gum $10 Gift Card for common fast food places (McDonalds, Subway) Small Notepad and Pen Small Flashlight and Extra Batteries Word Search Book Emergency Care Kit Boys/Men New T-Shirts (S,M,L,XL please mark the outside of the bag with clothing size) Socks/Slippers Soap Scent- Free/non-allergenic, for all toiletries Shampoo Deodorant-men s Razors/Shaving cream Chap stick Comb Small blanket/throw Toothbrush/Toothpaste Gum $10 Gift Card for common fast food places (McDonalds, Subway) Encouraging note (not identifying information) Small notepad and pen Small flashlight and extra batteries On January 22, 2014 AGA s Community Service is also inviting all members to serve dinner at the Nashville Rescue Mission from 4:30 to 7:30. The deadline for sign up is January 12, and we will take monetary donations until January 22 as noted in Brent Jennings announcement.

5 Committee News Continued CGFM Committee Community Service News Make 2015 Your Year to Become a CGFM! Limited seating remaining! Join us as instructors from National AGA review study materials and answer your questions! Cost- $750 per person Dates- Tuesday March 10- Thursday March 12 & Tuesday March 24 - Thursday March 26 Included in course- study materials for all three exams ($255 value), one free exam voucher ($109 value) and 48 hours of CPE! Contact drew.sadler@cot.tn.gov to reserve your seat today! This month Alex Green will have the last PBS Celebration for this semester and will then be out of school for the Winter Holiday. AGA will continue to celebrate PBS after each grading period through the remainder of the year after the Holiday. Once again, if anyone would like to go to Alex Green and help celebrate PBS at the school, you can contact Melvin Jones, Jr. at melvin.jones@tn.gov. Also, remember that you can help AG student and teachers by being a tutor, class helper or reader to assist teachers and staff. This type of personal involvement is the one area where members of the Nashville Chapter, as the PENCIL Partner to Alex Green, can make a difference. The hands-on experience will be enriching to you and those you serve in every way! Please send your committee and/or member news by January 9, 2015 to be included in the next edition of the Chapter Newsletter! There are more opportunities on the horizon such as Field Day, Teacher Appreciation Day, and Fourth Grade Graduation so much fun ahead!

6 Member Spotlight Michelle Earhart A few interesting facts about Michelle s time in the military: Michelle Earhart was recently honored by Governor Bill Haslam in Nashville, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam recently honored Nashville Chapter President Michelle Earhart on November 10, A special ceremony was held at the W.R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower to honor six veterans who continue to serve by working in state government. Michelle was one of six state employees recognized. State officials from various departments including the Departments of Military and Veterans Affairs and members of the Tennessee Army and Air National Guard were in attendance. Her very first day in basic training was not only her actual date of service, but it was her 18th birthday. Michelle found her love for accounting while in the Air Force. Her responsibilities were munitions supply and operations, which included inventory, requisition and budget and document controls. She served during two air campaigns including Operation Deny Flight during the Bosnian War and Operation Provide Comfort in Turkey. Michelle reports that what she gained the most from her military service was the relationships and bonds that she formed with her comrades. She says it is hard to explain and nothing else compares to the relationships you build with people that come from all walks of life when you spend almost every waking hour with them for extended periods of time. Remarks were also made by Chief Warrant Officer, Robert V. Davis, Tennessee Military Department Command Chief Warrant Officer and Colonel (Army Ret) Many-Bears Grinder, Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner. Governor Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam presented certificates to the six honorees. Michelle, the Nashville Chapter thanks you for your time and service!

7 Education Committee News Community Service Committee News

8 Brethren Together by Melvin Jones, Jr., CGFM BEHOLD, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. Psalm 133:1-3 (This Season Encourage and Inspire) Together bound by our common purpose During this time when people show A spirit of being, Brothers and Sisters In this land of promise and hope In this season of love, let s together Work for Peace and Happiness Diligently seek collective improvement Treat each heart as first and best Find that way to a better future By uplifting all those around Behold how good and pleasant If we share the joy that we have found Professional in our chosen vocations With passion held deep in our hearts Faithfully serving those less fortunate Those whose lives may be coming apart Let your light go out before you Let us unite in all that is good During this Holiday Season and times forward Let s continue to do all that we should The Holidays are a time of reflection A time to remember and love and show That in the giving we are made richer In our unity we come to know That life is better together Melvin Jones, Jr., CGFM For we have all been made the same Our lives are entwined together And Brethren is our given name This Holiday be the best that you can be Let your light shine brighter with each passing day This Season encourage and inspire And bring good cheer as you go on your way MERRY, MERRY HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! Melvin Jones, Jr., ; December 2, 2014

9 Member News Welcome New Members! Welcome December Meeting Guests Tiffany Fahringer, State of Tennessee, No Sponsor Patricia Feller, Nashville State Community College, No Sponsor Shelby Merryman, State of Tennessee, No Sponsor Susan Slaton, Comptroller s Office, No Sponsor Heather Smith, Comptroller s Office, No Sponsor Connie Calloway, Guest of Drew Sadler Michael Deloach, Guest of Heather Roe Luke Konkle, Guest of Aaron Kistler Susan Slaton, Guest of Lisa Lynch Sarah Vandergriff, Guest of Drew Sadler Steven Tydings, Department of Human Services, Sponsored by Mary Lou Goins Karen K. Wilson, Department of Labor, No Sponsor As an AGA member, you gain access to a host of benefits designed to support your career growth and your success. Key benefits include: Education and networking opportunities through more than 100 AGA Chapters Four annual national training events with member rates that save you more than $150 per event Social networking on LinkedIn Access to the online members' directory Awards and Scholarship programs Leadership and Volunteer opportunities at the chapter and national level Career Center and Online Job Bank Young Professionals program Hundreds of Continuing Professional Education opportunities Complimentary members-only webinars Member discounts for online CPE opportunities Advocacy: AGA provides valuable input to standards-setting bodies and policy-makers on behalf of the government financial management profession Subscription to the quarterly Journal of Government Financial Management Topics weekly e-newsletter Thought Leadership library Discount on CGFM renewal fees Web Conferences Join Today! View the membership types and choose one that's right for you.

10 Highlights from the December Meeting

11 News and Just the Facts Chapter Recognition Points as of September 30, 2014 Chapter Leadership, Planning and Participation 2,275 Education and Professional Development 525 Certification 550 Communications 1,423 Membership 1,800 Accountability 850 Community Service 800 Awards 0 Totals 8,223 LUNCHEON/CEC MINUTES To read the minutes from the most recent CEC and luncheon meeting, please visit the chapter website at The luncheon minutes will be presented for approval at the next business meeting scheduled for January 5, JOB OPPORTUNITIES From time to time departments forward job opportunities to the Website Committee which are posted for members convenience. If you are interested in new job offerings or know someone who is, go to this link for detailed information: jobs.html. Editor s Corner We truly enjoy reading articles submitted from our membership. Please share your thoughts and ideas or interesting news with us by submitting your article to Karen.B.Hale@cot.tn.gov no later than January 9 for the next edition of our newsletter. If you have any questions, please let me know. Thanks!

12 AGA Nashville Chapter Leadership Directory Officers President Michelle Earhart, CPA (615) President-Elect Penny Austin, CGFM, CPA, CISA (615) Immediate Past President Rusty Lacy (615) Secretary Janet Stewart (615) Treasurer Sandra Brown (615) One-Year Directors Hellens Cruz-Sanchez, CPA, CFE, CGMA Program Co-Chair (615) John Dunne Meetings and Attendance Co-Chair (615) Michael Edwards, CGFM (615) Andrew Furlong Finance Co-Chair (615) Kandi Thomas, CGFM (615) Two-Year Directors Rachelle Cabading, CFE Education Co-Chair (615) Charlotte Gentry Membership Co-Chair (615) Cindy Hobbs Program Co-Chair (615) Pamela Marks Community Service Co-Chair (615) Alicia Reynolds, CPA Early Career Chair (615) Committee Chairs and Co-Chairs Nathan Abbott, CISA, CFE Webmaster Co-Chair (615) Gerry Boaz, CGFM, CPA Accountability Outreach Chair (615) Bridget Carver, CFE Membership Co-Chair (615) Karen B. Hale, MAOM, CGFM Communications Chair (615) Jeff Hughes, MBA, CGFM, CFE Awards Chair (931) Committee Chairs and Co-Chairs Angela McElrath-Prosser Community Service Co-Chair (615) William Sadler, CGFM CGFM Chair (615) Scarlet Sneed, CGFM, CPA, CFE Meetings and Attendance Co-Chair (615) Alexander Warns Finance Co-Chair (615) Dan Willis, CGFM, CPA, CISA Webmaster Co-Chair (615) Michael Winston, CGFM Education Co-Chair (615) Chapter Address: AGA Nashville Chapter PO Box Nashville, TN Visit the Nashville Chapter website at