I am truly honored to serve as the president of ARPAS for the coming year and look forward to working with the other officers, directors, and committee members.  Thanks to John Bernard for his service as ARPAS president for the past year.

Congratulations to our newly elected officers (Al Kertz -- President-Elect; Mo Bakke – Secretary; Dana Tomlinson – Treasurer; Patrick French – ACAS President) and Directors (Dwight Roseler – Midwest; Tom Hickley – Northeast; Heidi Rossow – West; and Daniel Rivera – Southern).  I look forward to working with them and other members of the Governing Council over the next year.  Thanks to the outgoing officers and to those that were willing to run for office for their service to ARPAS.

Spring has arrived, and everyone is preparing for another growing season. ARPAS is also examining how to maintain growth. Current membership in ARPAS is 1,418, which includes 63 graduate students. One change that your Executive Committee will recommend is the addition of a graduate student representative to the Governing Council. This is being recommended to bring another perspective and fresh ideas for the Governing Council to consider as we look at how we best serve the next generation of professional animal scientists. Details on how to nominate a graduate student will be available in the near future, so be thinking about someone you might nominate!