From the Association President's Desk

May is a month to remember. The 1^st is "Workers Day” or "Red Day” in many countries. This had a negative connotation in the United States during the Cold War. But IT professionals are among the many professionals acknowledged on May 1^st – along with attorneys and accountants – in European and other countries.

Mothers' Day was last weekend, a day to stop and thank the women who have nurtured and raised us. It is also a good time to stop and remember the women who helped create and nurture the IT profession as we know it today – women such as Augusta Ada King (Countess of Lovelace), Grace Murray Hopper and Jean E. Sammet. I had the privilege of knowing Adm. Hopper when we were both ACM National Lecturers and the honor of receiving an award from her in 1986.

Next week, we will celebrate Memorial Day, which is also known as Decoration Day or Remembrance Day. While the focus of Memorial Day since the Civil War has been to honor those who have fallen in battle, it is also a fitting time to remember all of the members of the Association who have gone before us.

One member stands out for me this year, William F. Howell.

I knew Bill from earlier in my DPMA/AITP days when I was a member of the Lakeland (NJ) Chapter and he was with the Garden State Chapter. Bill holds a singular distinction within AITP. He reached his 60^th membership anniversary on April 16^th. No other member has ever reached this milestone. Sadly, Bill passed away two days later on April 18^th. But in his 60 years as a member, Bill influenced and touched the lives of over a thousand IT professionals – they are part of his legacy.

Please join me in celebrating the lives of the AITP members who have gone before us. We have all been enriched by them.

Regards,

Norbert J. Kubilus
2012 Association President

May 20, 2012