IAMC INSIDER

s I sat on the last leg of my journey home to the Pacific Northwest from Oklahoma City, I had time to reflect on the Fall 2008 Forum, my responsibilities as your Board Chair and on the future of IAMC. In this election year, we are constantly reminded of the power of voice.

      If you elected to attend the Fall Forum, you were one of nearly 300 corporate real estate and economic development professionals who may have had the opportunity to participate in IAMC’s first on-site Board Certificate in Industrial Real Estate class, the Research Roundtable discussions on sustainability, and the Leadership Development Seminar focused on adopting a more strategic orientation to the corporate real estate function.

      Forum attendees were treated to the wisdom and perspectives of Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett and Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry, and to the considerable insight of four senior corporate executives on the topics of competitiveness, adaptive management in a chaotic global marketplace and leadership from the heart. We are all better managers as a result of the remarks from Michelin North America Chairman and President Dick Wilkerson.

We were encouraged to engage in a myriad of interactive sessions, led by dedicated active and associate IAMC members, designed to allow the rest of us to assess and improve our individual and functional contributions to our companies’ bottom lines.

      The social gatherings at the Skirvin, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, the Myriad Botanical Gardens and in Bricktown’s numerous and diverse restaurants helped fulfill Mayor Cornett’s prophecy that we would leave Oklahoma City with our expectations significantly exceeded. They also provided unique opportunities for all of us to foster both personal and business relationships.

      To each member and prospective member not in Oklahoma with us, I want you to know that you were sincerely missed. We are a better organization – and educational opportunities are exponentially enhanced – when we rally our entire membership and are graced with new members at our biennial assemblies. As members of any group, the personal benefit we derive from an organization is directly proportional to our active engagement.

      As I humbly embark on my commitment to serve you all for the next twelve months, I ask each one of you to find some way to serve along with me as we continue our campaign to make IAMC the pre-eminent resource for corporate industrial asset managers and their associate partners. I also hope you elect to join me in both Asheville, N.C., next spring and in Minneapolis St. Paul, Minn., next fall. Participation is the best way to ensure your voice is heard.

Rick Little

IAMC Chair