by Rory O’Kane
I was hoping not to utter those words until November. But it was not to be…this year.
The Cubs and all the MLB teams that made it to the playoffs this year had one key ingredient: Difference Makers. The Mets just had more…and at the right time.
If you are a sports fan, you probably heard this phrase used by the media talking heads to describe the highly skilled athlete who can ‘make the difference between winning and losing’. A Difference Maker is an individual, but by extension of his or her skills, makes their team a winner. I look at our Board of Directors, our Board of Governors, at our organization at-large and see each member as a Difference Maker. How do you get more than 4,300 individuals, from 24 affiliates, representing all facets of the financial services community on the same page toward making a difference?
Each of us, as a member of STA, is a Difference Maker. We make a difference at home, at work, in our communities and in the industry we love. You care and you get involved to make the Best Markets Better.
Appreciation, Challenge and Trust. We appreciate all those members who volunteer for committees, run affiliate boards & conferences, run for national office, and give this organization its grassroots voice and sweat equity. A voice respected and listened to in Washington and across North America. We challenge each committee chair, executive member, and Jim Toes to work hard to execute the goals set by the Board. We trust all to responsibly meet their tasks. Then, I just get out of the way (and listen to JD and JT who keep me on point).
Was the 2015 Board a Difference Maker?
· (4) SEC Comment letters.
· Revamped STA Options Committee (now working on the 5th Comment Letter)
· Formalized & more punctual Surveys, 7 Open Industry calls, 12 Newsletters and 14 Taking Stock Articles
· STA: Women in Finance initiative
· STA: Regulatory Compliance Committee reinstate
· 82nd National Conference
· Over 60+ Hill, SEC, FINRA, and Treasury visits on behalf of our affiliates
Each of us, as a member of STA, is a Difference Maker. We make a difference at home, at work, in our communities and in the industry we love. You care and you get involved to make the Best Markets Better.
Thank you to my executive team: President Jim Toes, Vice Chair John Russell, Treasurer Jon Schneider, Secretary Doug Clark and Past-Chair John Daley for their thoughtful guidance and support over these past 12 months.
I have had the great pleasure of seeing this organization continue to build on its foundation of fellowship, trust and integrity…and hopefully, make a difference. It’s not just our motto: Dictum Meum Pactum “My Word is My Bond” that rings true….but also E Pluribus Unum…”Out of Many, One”.
Rory O’Kane
Chairman