This is a message I received recently from Hal Robbins, our Executive Director. He has been offered a position with the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration as a Special Agent and this position will take him back to his hometown, St. Petersburg. Hal is one-of-a-kind who will be truly missed by all and who will be very hard to replace.

In the past eight years, the FPCA has profited greatly. Hal has been successful in steering the association into the 21st century, such as creating a beneficial and profitable Web site for our members, as well as keeping the association up-to-date with the latest computer technology.

As a result of his hard work and perseverance, he has helped the FPCA improve its financial stability and influence. Today, we can, without hesitation, say the FPCA has an excellent future that in large part is due to Hal.

A task has never been too large or unimportant for Hal. It is not unusual to hear about Hal planting flowers, cleaning out the basement, or performing needed repairs at FPCA headquarters. That's why I say Hal has been a unique executive director.

Although, we will miss Hal greatly, we must move on and the Executive Board has already set the wheels in motion to hire a new executive director. We are advertising this position on the FPCA's Web site and magazine, as well as the IACP's Web site. I feel confident we will find a highly qualified new executive director in the very near future. Amy Mercer, our Operations Manager, is now Acting Executive Director.

I, along with all of you, wish Hal and Pat the best in their new endeavors.

Chief Paul Rumbley