It is hard for me to believe, but my term as AWCI president will be over at the end of this month. In the previous three years on the AWCI executive committee, one of the presidential tasks that I least looked forward to was writing these messages. It turns out this task is one of the few “typical” presidential duties that I was able to perform—thanks to COVID-19. In all seriousness though, I have enjoyed writing to you every month much more than I had imagined. Sharing my thoughts and (hopefully) some insights with you through these challenging times has been an honor.
I intended to utilize these monthly messages as an outlet to highlight all the great events and meetings I would attend as president. As we all know, none of these happened this year. I would be lying if I said I was not somewhat disappointed that we could not get together this past year for AWCI’s Convention or the leadership conference in person. Also, all my planned chapter visits had to be canceled. I was looking forward to these different events as a time to meet with those of you who I do not know and re-connect with old friends. I do want to remind you all that as things sit now, next year is looking a lot better than the last.
We are looking forward to the upcoming 2021 convention this October in New Orleans and the various other events that will take place in the future. Even though we missed out on some things last year, I want to remind you that our association is as strong as ever and getting things done. We will always continue to support and guide our members in any way we can.
Even though this is my last time writing to you, I plan to be involved for as long as you will have me. To those of you who I did not have the opportunity to meet this year, please be on the lookout for me at the upcoming events as I would appreciate the chance to shake your hand.
In closing, I would like to thank everyone who has guided me throughout the years, helping to get me to the position I am in now. It has been an honor of mine to serve you and our association as the 2020–2021 president of AWCI.
I know we will be in great hands with Shawn Burnum, our incoming president. I wish you all the luck, Shawn. I know you will do great things.
In addition to being 2020–2021 president of the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry, Chip McAlpin is division president of the Jackson, Miss., and Louisiana offices of F.L. Crane & Sons.
