9th Presidential Matters  a member of the Executive Committee. These are some of the most committed (and I mean that in a good way) people I have ever met. During the past year we have had to deal with a variety of issues that resulted in some very long board meetings. We have had some staff turnover and we even lost some longtime staff members. Most recently we’ve had to deal with the retirement of our Executive Director of almost 20 years Alice Flanagan. Alice served the Ninth with distinction and always had the Ninth District’s best interest at heart. She was dedicated and steadfast in all that she did for us and I know I speak for all the members of the Board of Governors, the Executive Committee and those members that worked with Alice over the years when I wish her well as she transitions into the next phase of her life. Through it all has been the one person that some people say was the glue that kept the office together and who has stepped in to take on the additional responsibilities of the executive director on top of all the other responsibilities that he already had, our current Interim Executive Director, Stephan Cancian, please give him a round of applause. Stephan, thank you for all your hard work and dedication. I also would like to acknowledge our newest staff member, Diane Darby, Diane hit the ground running and hasn’t looked back – I look forward to working with them both in the coming year. There are a few additional people I would like to acknowledge before we get back to this afternoons lecture. Of course, the Ninth would not be where it is today without the strong foundation that was molded and nurtured by all the past presidents, with many of the most recent ones here today. Unfortunately, there are two past presidents that are not here and I know that we all miss dearly, Bob Gabrielle and Bob Tauber. Both of these gentlemen are Ninth District legend and those of us that worked with them through the years understand how much they meant to the Ninth District. I want to thank John Constantine and Paul Kim both of whom I was on the Executive Committee with, those are some very big shoes to fill, but I learned a lot from them both. I hope that they will continue to give input and advice during my presidential year. I of course want to acknowledge the current Executive Committee, Chris Cuomo and Minerva 14 BULLETIN NINTH DISTRICT DENTAL ASSOCIATION Patel, both have amazing energy and insight into the current and future needs of the Ninth District and the need to bring in the newest members of our profession. Frank Vigliotti and Mary Ellen Lukaswitz – it has been a thought provoking twoyear stretch. Frank, I remember your first board meeting, almost two years ago where you had the members of the board run a mock board meeting in order to help everyone understand the parliamentary process, always wanting to make sure that everyone felt comfortable and therefore would be at ease participating in the process. I also want to thank you for being my Program Chairman for 2018 and for the fantastic program that you have put together. Mary Ellen, I bet you can’t believe that it’s over, or maybe you can. You did a remarkable job and were an exemplary ambassador representing the Ninth District throughout all five counties. Our work here is not done yet and I hope that you will continue to impart your positive energy for at least one more year. I want to congratulate Roberto Rodriguez on his election as Secretary/Treasurer. Roberto is the current Chair of the Membership Benefits Committee and Roberto and his committee are responsible for many of the great benefits that we, as members of the Ninth District are able to take advantage of. Roberto, welcome aboard and I look forward to working with you and the other members of the Executive Committee in the coming year. Chris Tota, I did not forget you, that is just not possible. If any of you have ever attended a Board of Governors Meeting you know that Chris loves to give his reports and now that he will be our new NYSDA Trustee – he will get to give even more reports. Congratulation on your election and I look forward to working with you and your endless energy and passion for the organized dentistry. Paul Patella, what can I say. Past President but more importantly, Chair of the Audit, Budget and Finance Committee as well as the Confer with Dental Schools and Dental Education Institutions. Two extremely important committees that require incredible amounts of time and energy – and never a complaint. Thank you, Paul, for all the hard work you do and thank you for doing it for another year. Last but not least: I want to thank Anthony 