Welcome to the TASFAA Website. First and foremost let me express my sincere gratitude to you the membership for entrusting me with this special role as President of TASFAA. I have spent the last 22 years of my life dedicated to the administration of federal, state and institutional financial aid as have all of you, some longer, some shorter – but with the same enthusiasm I have known and seen.

My first correspondence as President-Elect was to reach out to the current and past Presidents of this association. I wanted their advice and their wisdom. I got some of both and have been advised wisely and candidly and will rely on that as President. Three key words came across that communication by a majority of our former leaders – Gratitude, Trust and Delegate.

So as my first official post on our newly designed website – let me take a minute to thank and tell you how grateful I am, we are, for the 2010/11 Executive Board under the phenomenal leadership and care of Ms. Sandra Rockett. Sandra is an inspiration for her patience and compassion. To all members of the 2010/11 Board, Thank you. I pray that I learned from each of you.

Trust is a commitment by two people who share differing opinions and concerns yet are compassionate and respectful about the differences. I trust the members of the 2011/12 Board to take their role as leaders with the trust of the association. I also trust that each member of the association will feel compelled to volunteer, help out in whatever way you are able and that we as an association move forward. As President of TASFAA, I will trust your collective judgment, your collective voice and hope that I will earn your individual trust as well.

Finally, it is time to delegate. What I have learned  is that we have a tremendous association supported by an unparalleled group of agency liaisons, lenders, servicers and friends. This is the time for me to be grateful for the opportunity to serve, trust in the association and delegate to the Board. I wish each of you a peaceful summer with short lines, no phone messages and happy faces greeting you each morning. Short of that, just pray!

Lester McKenzie

TASFAA 2011-2012 President