As my term as President comes to a close, I would like to take this time to express my gratitude to all members and interested individuals for the opportunity to serve as your IAWF President over the last four years.
Since it’s beginning over 26 years ago, IAWF has worked to achieve it’s mission to facilitate discovery and communication in wildland fire science, advancement in strategic and tactical planning and implementation, and leadership for the wildland fire community. The IAWF is the acknowledged professional resource for local to global scale scientific and technical knowledge, education, networking, and professional development for the international wildland fire community. The commitment and dedication of all IAWF members, all other interested individuals, and all who work in and support the wildland fire management program around the world have helped make wildland fire management a strong professional program.
Words cannot express the honor it has been for me to serve in this position and to help lead IAWF. To be a part of the acknowledged international professional resource for this discipline, being able to help build on the IAWF mission, and help enhance the relevance and value of the association has been stimulating and rewarding. Taking part in IAWF activities to provide services to members and the profession, advocate for the program and profession, participate in webinars, meetings, conferences, and workshops that support professional growth and information dissemination, and to help communicate wildland fire information has been a truly exhilarating pleasure.
During my time as President, I have had the opportunity to meet, work with, and interact with countless wonderful people from around the world. It is very rewarding to know that so many dedicated, self-sacrificing, and energetic people are part of wildland fire management. Your commitment and efforts will continue to make this program more respectable, honored, professional, and successful.
As I end my term, our next President, Alen Slijepcevic, will lead IAWF as it continues to strive for excellence. Please welcome Alen and know that he will provide strong leadership in championing wildland fire management.
Again, it has been my pleasure to serve as your President and I look forward to continuing to support IAWF, work with all of you, and continue to help with the ongoing work to support the association and the program.
Editor’s Note: Tom will continue his commitment to the association in a newly created position as board liaison for IAWF and AFE (Association for Fire Ecology) as well as continuing to participate on cnference and association standing committees.
