12/23/2016

· Two MTASers have informed me recently of their intentions to move on into another life phase and they will be retiring. Sandy Selvage will be leaving in mid-February and Becky Smeltzer will be leaving in early March. Combined, they have a total of 39 years of MTAS service and it will be more than a little different not having them around. Becky and Sandy, thank you for what you have done for us over the years. We wish only the best for both of you.

· Along with the New Year and the opening of the General Assembly comes TML’s district meetings across the state. I hope each of you can make time to attend one close to you. You can find the schedule for all of the meetings
here . Let TML know which meeting you’ll attend since it appears breakfast or lunch will be part of each meeting and they will need a head count.

· Baseball great, Hank Aaron, once said, “It took me seventeen years to get three thousand hits in baseball. I did it in one afternoon on the golf course.” I’ve felt your pain, Hank.

· We all got Gail White’s e-mail earlier this week reminding us to complete the annual conflict of interest disclosure form. They have to be completed by Friday, January 20 ^th . Some of us have already knocked this out. Also, as instructed, you should enter your immediate supervisor’s name and e-mail address on the last page for proper routing and review.

· Since the next “Friday Stuff” won’t be until January 6 ^th (maybe), let’s look for birthdays for the next couple weeks.
o Rick Whitehead’s was earlier this week…December 21 ^st
o Armintha’s is today…December 23 ^rd
o Nancy Gibson’s will be December 30 ^th
o P.J.’s will be January 2 ^nd
I understand it will be the 39 ^th birthday for each of these. Is that correct?

· And anniversaries…we have some anniversaries…
o Abb joined us earlier this year…on January 1
o Dale came on board January 1, 2008.
o Dana came to MTAS on January 1, 2010.
o …and Stephanie joined us, too, January 1, 2010.
Thank you each for what you do for our customers and the rest of us in MTAS.

· 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

We have a special weekend in front of us and I hope it’s a great one for everybody. Busy? Yes. Tiring? Probably. Fattening? Undoubtedly. Sunday means something special to each of us. Whatever it is for you, enjoy it with family and friends…and it will be great! Merry Christmas!

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

jim.thomas@tennessee.edu

www.mtas.tennessee.edu