01/06/2017

· Nothing says “happy winter Friday” quite like several hours of snow and ice in Middle Tennessee AFTER everybody gets to work and all the kids are already at school…and every school system decides to close midday. Traffic around Nashville should clear up sometime next Tuesday.

· Everybody got Herb’s message telling us about Tomi Rogers joining IPS on February 1 ^st …filling the vacancy created with Judie Martin’s retirement. I hope you have a chance to meet Tomi soon…and buckle your seat belt when you do. The woman defines “high energy”. Welcome aboard, Tomi.

· A fairly quiet first week of 2017, but the pace will definitely pick up quickly…legislature back in session…APR’s being worked on with a goal of wrapping them up by end of February…FY2018 budget being simonized…a heavy MTAS training schedule this quarter. You know the drill. We’ll get it all done.

· A couple birthdays next week. Dana’s is on Monday, the 9 ^th and Doug’s is on Thursday, the 12 ^th (I think I got it right this time, didn’t I Doug?) Thirty-nine years and they’re both still going strong! Happy birthday, gentlemen!

· The first tournament on the PGA Golf Tour for 2017 is going on right now on Maui in Hawaii. Let’s see. In Nashville right now, it’s 22 degrees with ice and snow. On Maui, it’s 72 degrees with a light breeze and bright sunshine. I hope all the fans attending the tournament can survive those difficult conditions.

· Lastly, remember a few things…
o What each of you do every day for our customers and each other is recognized and appreciated. Really! It is!
o “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

· Warmth and safety…two things I hope everybody has plenty of this weekend.

Jim Thomas, Executive Director


(O) 615. 532.4950 (C) 615.972.9219

jim.thomas@tennessee.edu

www.mtas.tennessee.edu