Message from the executive director.

On June 17, 2004, the Executive Committee conducted a wrap-up meeting to evaluate the goals and objectives of ASMC during the past fiscal year. The following is an excerpt of that review showing the degree to which the goals were accomplished.

1. Select a 2005 PDI Location. Salt Lake City, Utah, was selected as the 2005 Professional Development Institute (PDI) site, and we are looking forward to an outstanding event. No issues remain with Hawaii.

2. Resolve the European PDI Issues. All legal issues surrounding the cancellation of the February 2003 European PDI have been resolved. The Heidelberg Chapter did an outstanding job in helping to resolve the issues.

3. Conduct a Successful Pacific Regional PDI. The Pacific Regional PDI entitled "The Pacific Rim, Emerging Issues" was held August 27-29, 2003, in Honolulu, Hawaii. It was an outstanding joint effort with the Association of Government Accountants. Congratulations to the Aloha Chapter.

4. Conduct a Successful National PDI. The national PDI in Cleveland was a success. Given the war on terrorism, the shortage of funds, and other factors, participation in the PDI was outstanding. PDI innovations included workshops presented by the Federal Executive Institute and a Virtual Library with continuing professional education (CPE) potential. The FEI classes received high student critiques. Thirteen of the planned sixteen workshops were digitally recorded.

5. Achieve a Cumulative Total of 2,000 CDFMs. The number of Certified Defense Financial Managers (CDFMs) increased from 1,154 as of May 15, 2003, to 1,975 as of June 30, 2004. Although we fell just short of the goal of 2,000 CDFMs by June 30, the overall workforce acceptance and response to the CDFM has been outstanding.

6. Improve Enhanced Defense Financial Management Training (EDFMT). Textbook revisions are complete. During fiscal year 2004 we conducted the second instructor-training seminar. The third annual session is planned for fiscal year 2005.

7. Expand Outreach. We continued a multifaceted outreach program to other disciplines within the Department of Defense and to other agencies of the government. Our special emphasis has been to the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Department of Homeland Security has expressed a desire to have several Homeland Security financial mangers attend EDFMT to determine the applicability of the course for their purposes. ASMC was invited for the second year to be an exhibitor at the Acquisition Business Managers Conference at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. In addition, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Defense Acquisition University that will promote cooperation in certification programs and Web site linkages.

In large measure the goals and objectives of the Society were achieved. Congratulations to all staff and volunteers who contributed to achieving this result.

James F. McCall, LTG U.S. Army (Retired), CDFM