Abstract
I am very fortunate as well as honored to have stepped into the role of ALA President at this particular point in time. I have been an ALA member since shortly after the organization was formed. Through the years, my ALA membership always has served me well, but never before has it offered so much.
The laboratory automation community represents a distinctly unique scientific specialty. ALA always has been a leader of this community, and this leadership is stronger and more influential than ever before. For individuals, ALA's many new programs, products, and services deliver practical advantages for professional growth. Collectively, the voice of lab automation professionals is now well regarded by many important scientific arenas.
In the past year alone, ALA has forged productive new alliances with the Laboratory Robotics Interest Group, American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, Institute for Food Technology, BIO, BIOAlps, and even Microsoft. More recently, at LabAutomation2007, ALA welcomed eight promising young start-up companies as exhibitors in its new Innovation AveNEW; launched its New Product Award (NPA) Designation; unveiled a redesigned and functionally enhanced web site; and presented a series of workforce development courses.
ALA also has become more aggressive about researching and reporting market trends and demographics. Results have been shared and will continue to be published on the ALA web site, in the ALA LabSnap e-newsletter, and right here in JALA. Interest in ALA initiatives is not limited to ALA members. Industry and trade publications recognize and report on ALA's leadership role. For example, at LabAutomation2007, ALA registered about 30 official members of the press.
These achievements are a testament to the strategic accuracy, determination, and teamwork of the ALA Board of Directors, volunteers, and staff. Together, we have built important momentum, and the increased benefits to members are the tangible return on our investment. With this in mind, I offer sincere thanks to those members of the ALA Board of Directors whose terms of service ended with 2006: Stephen Jacobson of Indiana University, Anne Kopf-Sill of CellPoint Diagnostics, and James Myslik of Bristol-Meyers Squibb. Likewise, I welcome three new board members in 2007: Dave Dorsett of Symyx Technologies, Erik Rubin of Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Steven Vidakovic of Pfizer.
The talent and enthusiasm represented by the ALA Board of Directors gives me inspiration. I am excited to say with confidence that I believe 2007 will be another terrific year for ALA and its members.
Herzliche Grüse,
