It is my honor and privilege to serve as your President and CEO. I am grateful for our MSCPA leadership and members whose support is integral to my work. I am also thankful for our committees and their continued dedication. Our committees are essential to the success of the Society, and I sincerely appreciate those who volunteer their time and talents to serve. I am pleased to report that we have seen an increase in members joining our various committees, many of whom have already made a meaningful impact.

Our new Membership Committee, comprised of CPA Ambassadors, continues to make a difference by participating in high school career fairs and speaking engagements across the state. They are doing an outstanding job promoting the accounting profession and encouraging the next generation of CPAs. I encourage members from every corner of Mississippi to consider volunteering as an Ambassador.

I also want to thank our chapters and their officers for their diligence in planning events throughout the year. Delta, Southwest, and Northeast Chapters each held successful annual CPE Days. The Central Chapter hosted quarterly Lunch & Learns at the MSCPA office featuring outstanding speakers, and President Phillip Chu expanded CPA visibility in the community by organizing member participation in events such as the Halloween Scarecrow Walk. The Gulf Coast Chapter hosted a wonderful Christmas social featuring a visit from Santa for the children. The North Central Chapter partnered with the Adkerson School of Accountancy at Mississippi State and held a CPE event in conjunction with an SEC ballgame. The Southeast Chapter made tremendous strides this year by hosting both fall and spring Lunch & Learns and, most recently, an after-tax-season social that was well attended by members, University of Southern Mississippi faculty, and students. It was a great evening of networking and connecting students with professionals in the field.

Advocacy was front and center this year. We successfully got the historical alternate pathway legislation passed and signed into law thanks to the combined diligence and efforts of our Pipeline Task Force, Legislation Committee, AICPA, and the State Board. We eventually received winter storm tax relief after weeks of fighting for it with the Internal Revenue Service who did not understand the new law which would have made relief come much sooner. We are making strides in educating them now.

Our Young CPA Network continues to thrive. I remember when a dozen attendees at a social event were considered a success. Today, we regularly see attendance exceeding 60 participants. Their board members are fully engaged, and I could not be prouder of their accomplishments. President John Luley and the Network’s committees have done an outstanding job this year.

John, I have watched you grow over the last four years. You are always a breath of fresh air and have a remarkable ability to bring calm and perspective during stressful situations. I look forward to having you represent the Young CPA Network on the Board of Governors next year. Congratulations, and thank you for your leadership.

In addition to the Board of Governors, I must also thank the MSCPA officers for their dedicated and unwavering service:

Rob, you have been an exceptional Treasurer this year, always willing to listen and help me think through difficult decisions.

Shannon, you took taking meeting minutes to new heights—literally—and your thoughtful insights on important matters have been invaluable.

Kimberly, you are always the voice of reason, a true leader, and a trusted teammate to Anita.

These three Rising Star recipients continue to shine brightly for the MSCPA and the profession. My heart is full.

Anita, you were such an asset to me, the Board, and our members this year. You are a constant source of information, guidance, and wisdom. No matter what I throw your way, you always have the answer. It was my sincere honor to serve with you at the helm, and I will miss you.

I also want to take a moment to recognize two past MSCPA Chairmen whom we lost this year: Roy Ward and Hugh Parker. Their recent passings came within just a few short weeks of one another and hit us hard. Both served as Executive Managing Partners of Horne and were the epitome of what it means to be a CPA. They advanced our profession, strengthened the MSCPA, and made lasting impacts on countless lives through their leadership and service.

We also said goodbye to founding members of several prominent firms: David Bridgers, Jim Poole, and Charlie Ward. David and Jim were teammates with Archie Manning at Ole Miss and passed away only weeks apart as well. Charlie’s passing was especially difficult for Anita and her colleagues at Watkins, Ward and Stafford. The firm also lost Keith Winfield this year, a pioneer in peer review whose contributions to the profession will not be forgotten.

But I want to end on a bright note.

Mississippi CPAs are making their marks on the national stage. We are incredibly proud of Jan Lewis, Chair of the AICPA; Kimberly Williams, recipient of the AICPA Visionary Award; and Billy Morehead, who was appointed to the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board. Each achievement represents a first for Mississippi.

The profession is in excellent hands nationally with Jan leading the way. Likewise, the MSCPA is in very capable hands for the coming year with Kimberly serving as Chairman and Billy as Vice Chair/Chair-Elect. What a team! I look forward to the ride.

Mississippi to the Top!