Terry Hamlet's farewell.

I AM SURE THAT EVERY DHI PRESIDENT wonders where the year went when it comes time to say farewell--I certainly do. A year ago I was just beginning my term and there seemed to be plenty of time ahead to do the work at hand. I also recall that I had pondered over what I personally would have to offer in the top leadership position of our industry. I knew that I didn't have any of the "special" talents that I had observed in many of the Board members I had worked with in the last few years. I had come to terms with the idea that my role was to be sure that our leaders would have all of the tools they needed to make the best decisions possible for our industry and to make sure that they had every opportunity to voice their opinion and bring their best to the table in behalf of our industry. In my heart, I know that I accomplished that.

As my term in office has been coming to a close, I've been asked many times what it's like to be DHI President. Has my business suffered? Has my family suffered? Aren't I glad that it's almost over? Well, here's my answer. Being in the position of President of DHI has been the biggest honor of my life--besides being a wife and mother. It has been a most incredible experience of learning, personal growth, adventure and travel. I have had the opportunity to meet and spend time with the wonderful people of our industry. I've been able to work with our numerous and very generous volunteers and with our talented and dedicated DHI staff. It has been an opportunity to contribute to the industry that has supported my family for four generations. I have had the front row seat for witnessing what our industry does to ensure the safety and security of the buildings that our children are educated in, that our sick and weak are cared for in, and that we live and work in. And no, our business has not suffered from my presidency. Unfortunately, my business partner--who was also my uncle--passed away unexpectedly before my term of office began, so our company had a big transition year at the same time that I have held this office. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of my new partner (my cousin), Jesse Basnight Jr., and the very fine people that I work with every day, we have thrived. And my family has thrived as well. My eleven-year-old son, Rob, has had some opportunities that he may not have had otherwise. He has witnessed the value of hard work. He has seen his parents contribute to the world that he lives in through working to improve the industry that supports our family. And he has had the opportunity to see a woman, his mother, in a leadership position.

I recall that in my speech at last year's convention I talked about DHI being in the 3rd quarter of a strong game plan and that we wanted to finish in the winner's circle. There's no question that we have met that goal. Our new education format is in full swing and is educating many of our members. We have successfully brought DHI education to our members locally and that program is growing. Our Chapter structure is gaining strength and more and more of our DHI programs are becoming accessible at the Chapter level. NFPA 80 now calls for documentation of the annual inspection of fire doors. Our Annual Fire Door Assembly Inspection program has been launched and we have started educating our members to do inspections. We have a certification program for annual inspections as well. We have developed an Insurance program for our members offering a variety of business policies as well as errors and omissions coverage. We have developed and introduced a video that our members can use to recruit people to our exciting industry. Our volunteers and DHI Staff have worked hard and accomplished a lot!

So, no, I'm not glad for it to be over--it's been a true honor to have this opportunity and responsibility, but I know that it's time for it to come to an end. We have the wonderful and talented Doug Gerbing AHC, FDHI, CSI coming into the President's role and there's more exciting work to do. One of my greatest hopes is that our members can realize that regardless of gender, company size, or special talents--the work that our industry does is important and that everyone in it can contribute and positively impact the safety and security of the buildings that we live and work in.

By Terry Hamlet, AHC