NAFUSA officers and board members met in Napa Valley on June 6-7, 2014 for their annual spring meeting. The meeting was held at the Villagio Inn and Spa in Yountville, California. As is the custom, members paid their own travel and hotel expenses.

Executive Director Emeritus Mahlon Brown and Pat Brown joined the board for the weekend, and local members Joe Russinello and Chuck Stevens, along with their wives, Moira and Ann, also attended as guests. Joe Russinello hosted a golf outing at Silverado as well.

President Don Stern reported on the early plans for the Boston conference to be held on October 9-11 at the Fairmont Copley Plaza. The Thursday evening cocktail reception will honor Bob Mueller. Registration is expected to begin in July. NAFUSA has the support of $85,000 in sponsors, with more sponsors expected. A full list of sponsors can be found on the website and in each monthly newsletter.

Executive Director Rich Rossman reported that NAFUSA has 261 active members,  including 53 life members and 20 seniors (over 70 and fully retired). Unfortunately 42 members have yet to pay their 2014 dues, which were payable February 28, 2014. The present dues structure is not sufficient to pay operating expenses, and NAFUSA relies upon its sponsors. Nevertheless, the board voted to retain the present schedule of annual dues at $150, seniors at $50 and lifetime dues at $1500. The board also voted to maintain the conference registration fees at $400 per member and $300 for a spouse. These rates have been the same for several years.

For the past three years, the executive director has been assisted by his nephew, Ken Rossman, for technical support. With Ken’s support, the webpage and the newsletter have been significantly upgraded. Ken has decided to step down, and the board approved the hiring of John Steele of Denver, Colorado, as Ken’s replacement. John will be a first year law student in the fall and has significant technical experience. He will continue in the IT field during the day and attend law school at night. The board is hopeful that John will establish a model we can use in the future and when he graduates law school we can find another IT consultant/law student to take his place.

President Elect Matt Orwig confirmed that the 2015 conference will be held on October 15-18 at The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Arizona. Vice President Greg Vega advised that the 2016 conference will be in San Diego.