Association Leadership - September/October 2008 - (Page 49)

community spotlight Affiliate Member My Name: Larry Woods Job Title: Director Place of Employment: Boerne Convention and Visitors Bureau Years in the Association Market: 26 Childhood ambition: To be a professional drummer. First job: Was in tourism as a boat driver on the San Antonio Riverwalk during the World’s Fair in 1968. Inspiration: Guy Bigelow. he brought me into the industry and took a chance when I had no experience. He taught me to be a professional, to have fun and to share my knowledge with others. Fondest memory: As a boat driver, taking Sonny and Cher for a ride and sharing an apple with Ali McGraw during the ﬁlming of “The Getaway.” Also playing poker with Neil Diamond while in the hotel industry. Favorite movie or book: “The Glenn Miller Story” Indulgence: Playing music and spending time at home with my wife, Mary, and three dogs – Hannah, Peewee and Isabella. Proudest moment: Realizing that I’ve met all my goals in the hospitality industry and that it has provided an outstanding livelihood doing something I’m passionate about. It has allowed Mary and me to have a lot of unique, enjoyable experiences and to meet many great folks along the way. Perfect day: No meetings! My life… is a blessing. My profession is more complicated than people realize, a lot of fun, ever changing, extremely rewarding and one in which you can ﬁnd variety and fulﬁllment as long as you choose. I have met and made more friends through the association industry than any other Executive Member My Name: Alejandra Ajuria Martin, Ph.D. Job Title: Executive Director Place of Employment: TASPA (Texas Association of School Personnel Administrators) Years in the Association Market: 6 Childhood ambition: To become a doctor. The kind that makes sick people feel better, not the kind I actually became! First job: State-wide evaluator for the Texas Centers for Professional Development and Technology. Inspiration: Theresa Parsons, CAE, CMP. I want to be like her when I grow up. Theresa embodies and promotes association management excellence. She is highly accomplished as an executive director and very giving as a mentor, yet she is unassuming and perpetually growing and willing to learn. Fondest memory: I was 5 years old, and my 8-yearold brother bought me a green plastic duck-shaped watering can. I thought, “How nice! He thought of me!” We have been best friends ever since. Prior to that he was just some kid who happened to live with us. Favorite movie or book: The Harry Potter series of both books and movies. Indulgence: Dark chocolate-covered cranberries, mixed into sweet cream ice cream, covered in chocolate syrup and real whipped cream. Any of the above ingredients is pretty good solo, too! Proudest moment: The day I got the letter of acceptance into Wellesley College. Perfect day: Having a productive day at work and enough time in the evening to have fun with the cats, kids, dogs and very patient husband. My life… is ﬁlled with blessings. I have had a joyous childhood to be grounded in, hardships to make me strong, constant opportunities for growth, friends and family who give me a sense of belonging and a life ﬁlled with purpose, meaning and gratitude. My profession is… extremely rewarding. To know that the work we do makes those in the ﬁeld better able to do their job, and to get regular thanks for it, is just great! ◆ September/October 2008 | Association LEADERSHIP 49

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Association Leadership - September/October 2008

Association Leadership - September/October 2008 Contents President’s Column Homepage 60-Second Solutions An Interview with TSAE’s New Chairperson TSAE’s Newest Board Members Vetting Volunteers Orientation of Volunteer Leaders Get on Board – Qualification Considerations Questions to Ask Before Saying Yes Liability Insurance for Volunteer Leaders Committee Planning TSAE’s Annual Golf Outing Congratulations to Our New CAEs Perspectives Association Case Study New Members Community Spotlight San Antonio Beaumont Index to Advertisers Advertiser.com The Lighter Side of Associations

Association Leadership - September/October 2008

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