Nashville Conference Concludes on High Note

NAFUSA’s 39th annual conference began on Wednesday, October 24, 2018, with a reception at the offices of NAFUSA sponsor Butler Snow. NAFUSA President Hal Hardin introduced Nashville Mayor David Briley who joined Tennessee Deputy Governor Jim Henry in welcoming NAFUSA to Nashville. Mayor Briley then read a proclamation declaring it “NAFUSA Week” in Nashville and announced that the courthouse and the Cumberland River Bridge would be lit up in NAFUSA’s honor in red, white and blue. The colors remained during the three days of the conference.

The Butler Snow reception was enjoyed by over 50% of the active members of NAFUSA in attendance. More than 200 attended the conference, including spouses, speakers, sponsors and guests. This year 32 sponsors were on board, with Nardello & Co providing a lavish breakfast on Thursday morning and EY sponsoring the lunch and tour of The Hermitage, home of President Andrew Jackson.

The CLE program was outstanding with a panel on international criminal investigations which featured the Honorable Robert Buckland, Solicitor General for England and Wales. Chuck Rosenberg, former head of DEA, led a panel on the opioid epidemic. The Bradford Award was presented to AUSA P.J. Meitl. Chief Judge Waverly Crenshaw, of the MD Tennessee, led a panel on ethics and Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal moderated a lively panel on the United States Supreme Court.

At the closing banquet on Friday, the election of new officers and directors was held. The results were as follows:

  • President: Terry Flynn
  • President Elect Paul Coggins
  • Vice President Karen Hewitt
  • Secretary Chuck Stevens
  • Treasurer Don Washington
  • Immediate Past President Hal Hardin

The new board members for the class of 2021:

  • Catherine Hanaway
  • Barry Grissom
  • Tim Purdon
  • Stan Twardy
  • Lee Bentley

Finally, “Mr. Nashville” Hal Hardin, who had led one of the finest NAFUSA conferences, passed the gavel to Terry Flynn and introduced the keynote speaker, one of our own, Senator Doug Jones. Doug gave a stirring speech on the need for civility and nonpartisanship in our national dialogue. Doug would have been NAFUSA’s President this year if he hadn’t stepped down to run for Alabama’s Senate seat. Additional photos of the conference will be posted soon.