08/05/2016

· Yogi Berra once said, “It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future.”

· Speaking of predictions, those of us who have had responsibility for preparing a budget know that it’s a prediction. Now we’re in the process of closing out last fiscal year (FY2016) and it’s good to see that we’ll have ended with a surplus…and that’s a good thing. But this past year, several planets aligned that helped end the year on a high note. State shared taxes exceeded revenue projections. Several other revenue sources exceeded projections…and expenses were less than projected in a few places. All of that adds up to a good thing. We’ll use the surplus to strengthen some accounts that are focused on the future…ones we can draw on when the economy makes us really tighten our belts. This good situation happened because of how everybody in MTAS goes about their work and shows that we all understand the importance of how our resources get used. Thanks for the attention and interest you place on this.

· I was literally typing the bullet point above when Robin Roberts’ message about Brian Spears’ death hit my inbox. For anybody who has worked in the Nashville office, you knew Brian…a smile as big as the world…going out of his way to make your way better…another good friend at CTAS gone way too soon! Rest in peace, my friend. And for the rest of us, today is a gift that nobody owes us.

· One birthday this coming week. Richard Stokes’ birthday is tomorrow (Saturday, 8/6). Happy birthday, Richard! With his 30+ years of service, that means he’s worked for MTAS almost 77% of his life.

· 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
o Some smart people at the United States Golf Association (USGA) have estimated that a golf ball carries 2 yards farther for each ten degree rise in temperature. So, let me see. On a 50-degree day, I usually hit my drive about 50 yards. So on a 95 degree day like today, I should be able to hit it 59 yards. Amazing, I know. Think I’ll go give it a try.

· Another one from Yogi Berra…one day during a game, a fan told Yogi he looked so nice and cool in that white uniform. Allegedly, Yogi replied, “Thanks. You don’t look so hot yourself”.

· A hot day in Middle Tennessee today. I hope it’s better where you are…and that you have a comfortable weekend.

Jim Thomas, Executive Director
(O) 615. 532.4950 (C) 615.972.9219

jim.thomas@tennessee.edu

www.mtas.tennessee.edu