At and Around TEI.

During the last couple of months, I have had the privilege of visiting several chapters as well as attending one regional conference. April found me in the Boston area for the New England Chapter's Tax Education Day and in St. Paul for the Minnesota Chapter's astoundingly successful "President's Seminar," a two-day program that attracted more than 300 seasoned and rising tax professionals and provided not only top-notch tax education but also unparalleled networking opportunities. Kudos to Chapter Presidents Tim Wigon and John Schaefer.

After a quick trip to East Lansing, Michigan, for the Institute's Federal Tax Course--which attracted registrants from six countries in addition to the United States--I travelled to Houston to attend the chapter's Fiftieth Anniversary celebration. The meeting, which was held at the Downtown Aquarium, was a marvelous success, attracting more than 100 guests including 11 past presidents of the chapter. One of the more interesting aspects of the evening was that one of the musicians in the band--the drummer--is a former tax executive ... proving that there is life after taxes. After years of working on tax audits, the percussionist of Next Level Band seemed to find real cathartic release in the ability to beat on something (rather than the other way around?). Congratulations to Chapter President Stephany Jackson and event planners Oscar Jones and Tom DeGeorgio for making the evening special.

From Houston, I sojourned westward for the Senior Tax Executive Conference in Scottsdale, which was happily oversubscribed, and then on to Santa Barbara for the Region VIII Conference. The regional conference not only featured a luncheon address by LMSB Commissioner Deborah Nolan and a panel discussion of state tax commissioners, but also valedictory remarks by TEI President Ray Rossi, which formed the basis of his column in this issue. Interestingly, too, the TEI group witnessed a demonstration at the ranch of Monty Roberts, the world renowned "horse whisperer," whose book Horse Sense for People makes a convincing case that in our dealings with both animals and people--at home and at work--it's more effective (and humane) to have them "join up," become our partners, than to try to succeed by dominating the relationship. Regional Vice President Teri Wielenga and her colleagues at Allergan did a marvelous job in planning and running the conference.

My next stop was the Beverly Hills Hotel where the Los Angeles Chapter hosted its Annual Meeting and Tax Administrators Night. Officials from both the LMSB and the California Franchise Tax Board updated the registrants on developments (including, regrettably, significant activity on the tax shelter front). The meeting ended with a dinner, at which Chapter President Bill Spina presented chapter scholarships to Alice Chang of Golden Gate University and Brandt Mori of the University of Southern California. I was especially pleased to be present for the announcement that L. Sue Alza was the recipient of the chapter's Outstanding Service Award. Sue, who recently announced her retirement, has previously served on the Institute's Board of Directors and in a number of positions at the chapter level.

The purpose of the foregoing travelogue is not to provide a rationale for my sometimes being slower than molasses (to use one of my grandmother's favorite phrases) in responding to voice and email messages--given the state of "connectivity" in the world such an excuse would ring hollow--but to document the richness of the programs at both the chapter and the regional level. (Oh, and for those whose "knowledge base" includes a list of stars who were "discovered" at the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel , do not fear--Hollywood snagged not a single member from the L.A. Chapter.)

Recent Correspondence

TEI is coming to the close of the Institute's dues cycle, and the series of "escalating" messages that members receive has not only spurred credit card payments and checks (the desired effect), but also some interesting and gratifying correspondence. The letters provide helpful information on why members are not renewing (thereby equipping the Institute to respond better to member needs), as well as some good memories. For example, former Institute President (and Honorary Member) Jim Bodfish from Pittsburgh (Member Number 4177) returned his statement with the quip "The only change for me is getting older." He kindly and generously added, "I enjoy receiving all your news. You all are doing a very professional job."

A more plaintive message about the passage of time came from an associate member (Member Number 2291) who submitted his resignation after more than four decades. He wrote: "I have been a member of TEI since December 1961. Now I find it necessary to discontinue. I have had no communication with the chapter for 2 years or so. On inquiring about it, I was told they only use email. I don't have email." (We're hoping to address this communications challenge in the near future.)

Another associate member, Paul Dunphy of Lancaster. Ohio (Member Number 31461 wrote the following:</p> <pre> I was admitted to the Tax Executives Institute on December 15, 1965, and will be a member some 39 years in 2004. When my career ended, I was Chairman, President, and CEO of a fairly large corporation. During my industry years, the tax information I received as a member of TEI was most helpful. I believe it is time for me to retire from many organizations that I am a member of for a long time. My retirement date from the TEI is June 30, 2004. It will not be necessary to send me any more information. I'm looking forward to my 85th Birthday in 2004. </pre> <p>Finally, I have received two letters from Morris Rinehart (Member Number 556), who has maintained his membership in the Syracuse Chapter even after retiring a quarter century ago and moving to Poway, California. Morris served as the Institute's President forty years ago and signed a letter he sent in March as "oldest living P.P." He wrote:</p> <pre> I still enjoy reading "The Tax Executive." Also, I like to look over the great programs for the TEI conferences. Hope the Midyear this month is as successful as ever. I have received no employment compensation since I retired in 1979 as Vice President

of Carrier Corporation. Except for a couple of jury fees! All my family gave me a wonderful 90th surprise birthday party last week. We are well and will do more travelling this year. </pre> <p>A few weeks later, Morris wrote again:</p> <pre> I was pleased to read in "The Tax Executive" (Jam-Feb. issue) that TEI continues to receive deserved recognition by having its members appointed

to the IRS Advisory Council. You probably know, or have history in your files, that the original Commissioner's Advisory Group was

set up by Commissioner T. Coleman Andrews in 1953. He appointed three members each from the AICPA, ABA, and TEI. The first meeting was held on March 19, 1953. The first TEI members were Frank V. Olds of Chrysler Corporation, Frederick L. Patton (1954-5 President) of Cambridge Rubber Company, and Morris L. Rinehart (1964-5 President)

of American Airlines, Inc. I remember that the principal item on our first agenda was some liberalization of IRS depreciation policy, a hot subject in those days. </pre> <p>I cite these letters for two purposes. First, they illustrate that the art of conversational letter writing has not yet gone the way of the dinosaur, despite the advent of e-mail, instant messaging, Blackberrys, and other communications "advances" that we convince ourselves improve our lives. Second, they document the connection that TEI has been able to make its members ... a connection that goes beyond "pure tax." It's what makes the organization vibrant and vital as it enters its seventh decade.

Speaking of which, the Institute's 60th anniversary will soon be upon us. From a group of 14 "tax men" meeting in New York City on a humid August day in 1944, TEI has grown into a diverse multinational force to be reckoned with ... 5,400 members, 2,700 companies, and 53 chapters in the United States, Canada, Europe, and soon (it seems likely) Asia. We invite your ideas on how we can observe the anniversary and, in particular, would welcome your reminiscences of your time as a member. Please send your thoughts to [e-mail] or call me at 202.638.5601.

New Employees Expand TEI Family

TEI has welcomed two new employees in the last couple of months. Karina (Kari) Horesky has become our Membership Coordinator, and jumped right in, processing dues payments and applications, updating member profiles to ensure our membership roster is up to date, and answering the plethora of membership-related questions that come from members and non-members alike. Kari's previous position was with the American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, an 8,000-member international organization where she was reportedly dubbed the "Dues Queen." In her spare time, Kari enjoys shopping, reading, cooking, and playing with her three-year-old daughter, Kayla.

Our second new addition is Sherice Brown, who has joined the staff as executive assistant/ bookkeeper. Sherice, who is also in charge of the TEI Store, previously worked for Federal Realty Investment Trust as an accounting assistant in the corporate finance department. A Washington native, she has six-year old son (Brandon) and recently received an A.A. degree in accounting from Prince Georges County Community College.

Speaking of new additions, two members of the Institute's Executive Committee have documented the changing face of TEI by recently expanding their families. First, Lisa Norton of the Seattle Chapter travelled to China earlier this year with her husband Harvey and returned with a beautiful baby sister, Ruby, for their children Wendy, Nathan, and Naomi. And Deborah Lange of the Santa Clara Valley Chapter gave birth to twins, Isabelle and Matthew. Congratulations to Deb, her husband Ivor, and big sister Katherine.

Author! Author!

It's not every day that a TEI member writes a book, especially a member who also contributes to The Tax Executive, but one has. Mike Rashkin of the Santa Clara Valley Chapter--who wrote a provocative article on corporate governance developments for our March-April issue--has written Research & Development Tax Incentives: Federal, State and Foreign. The CCH publication is thorough, thoughtful, and to the extent possible in the ever-changing world of R&D, up to date. Written by a tax director for tax directors, it deserves a careful look.

Finally, a point of personal privilege, again about an author with TEI ties. When I joined TEI's staff, a significant portion of the Institute's meeting planning activities were handled by Sheryl Anderson. In 1985, she moved to California to seek her fame and fortune as a screenwriter. After finding success on such shows as "Dave's World" and "Charmed," Sheryl and her husband Mark Parrott have shifted their attention to writing mystery stories, and just recently published their first novel, Killer Heels. Sheryl recently confided that in researching a particular scene in the book--a memorial for one of the killer's victims at the Essex House in New York--she called upon her TEI experience ... No, not with corpses, but with canapes, caterers, and convention service managers.

While Killer Heels is more suited for the beach than the office, may your June, July, and August be such that both Mike Rashkin's R&D book and Sheryl Anderson's mystery are on your summer reading list.

Timothy McCormally, TEI Executive Director