When I was told I had a limited amount of time to speak with all of you today I had two thoughts – The first was keep it short and sweet. In that case, vote for me I will do you proud. The second thought was to talk with you about how I got here – no this is not “the story of life”, but rather how I entered the profession and what I have learned along the way. That story is a little bit longer.

For those of you I have not had the pleasure to meet, hello and welcome. I am Renee Massoud, Senior Director of Business Research Services for KPMG LLP. I have spent more than nine years at the Firm in a variety of information professional roles. But let me start at the beginning…

While completing studies at East Stroudsburg University, I worked full time at a local professional radio station as traffic manager and copyrighter. Later I was lucky enough to become one of the leading morning air personalities.

It is here I learned about FCC regulations, the art of “public” speaking and entertaining.

I later left there and worked for a mid-tier advertising agency as an assistant account executive to the Vice President. Working with the local town and county officials and business associations was high on the agenda to get better “acquainted” with the local business environment.

It is here that I learned about politics and being creative – thinking outside the box.

After completing my studies, I went to work for what was then Lockheed Corporation’s fastest growing division. No, I was not a rocket scientist but rather served in a role to make the customers happy. I served as “intelligence” for all of the company’s clients and targets. Making sure we knew who was on first and what potential opportunities we could secure. Within six months in the company, I was offered the job as advertising manager. After presenting plans and “knowledge” about where our target markets were, how we should position the company, and how to save money doing it, I was offered the job as the “Librarian”. Not knowing what that meant, I attended my first SLA conference in Pittsburgh and was lucky to find some members to mentor me. They convinced me to get my MLS and join SLA. I attended Rutgers while working full time at Lockheed and received my degree in two years.

It is here that I learned about the information profession and the benefits of SLA.

Five years later I moved to KPMG LLP – a partnership of member firms providing accounting, audit and tax services (consulting too at the time). After being the manager of information services for three years, I slowly got bored and decided to create a new role for myself – content coordinator. I saw the need for the coordination and buying of external content and turned it into a job/career for quite a while. It later became an integral part of the global organization and the Firm’s knowledge management initiatives.

This is where I learned the art of negotiation and that opportunity will not find you – you must find the opportunity. And when you do, turn it into action!

That initiative turned into a new opportunity to create the premier research organization for the global firm. And as if that were not enough, I was also asked to create the global service level agreements between countries for handling questions regarding knowledge management tools and content.

It is here that I learned the importance of recognizing diversity and respect for my international colleagues.

Now I have returned to the US Firm in the Marketing Department. It is here that we develop new business and services while helping the Firm’s professionals respond to client questions. I manage a fully recoverable research organization in three time zones across the US.

It is here that I learned how to drive “consumer” demand by adding value while doing more with less and keeping the budget in the positive direction.

There are many more situations I could share with you about my work at the state level, other associations, things I have published, places I have spoken, and on and on…. But there is something more important that I think you need to know…

And that is about the pride I feel about this organization. You have heard me talk about my career and my experiences, none of this would be possible if it weren’t for the association and its ability to bring people together for peer-to-peer, virtual learning, continuous education programs, and mentoring. I have been a member, a leader, a past leader at the chapter, division, and international level of this association – an investment that I have enjoyed making and hope to continue.

Now for the serious part… These are words you do not want to hear but have to – the association is struggling right now. However, we are headed in the right direction with branding, streamlining operations, and looking at controlling expenses; but, there is more work to do.

My goal is to serve and represent YOU, the members, while finding the balance to help the overall association be successful. I have shared with you today, some of my experiences that have helped me. I hope that gives you confidence and security that I have what it takes for the role of Director and the fact that I have the same interest as you do -- to have SLA continue to grow as one of the major cornerstone in our profession.

Thank you for your time and I hope to have the opportunity to represent you and your interests within the Association in the coming year.