New beginnings

Information Outlook, August, 2003 by Janice R. Lachance

What an exciting time to join the Special Libraries Association as the Executive Director. I officially began work the first week of July, and already find myself getting valuable information and great ideas from the membership. As I discover more about SLA's rich history and traditions, I realize what an honor it is to serve as your 13th executive director.

My orientation began at the 94th Annual Conference, where I had the pleasure of speaking with SLA leaders, members, vendors, exhibitors and staff. I have received a great deal of support and encouragement from the information community, and I left New York truly impressed by the level of passion and commitment our members and partners have for the association and the information industry.

Many of you may already know my background, but for those of you who don't, here is a quick overview. For the past two years, I've been a management consultant with non-profit and membership organizations, specifically focusing in the areas of strategic planning, organizational development/transformation, and culture change. Previously, I was appointed by President Clinton to serve as the Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the federal government's independent human resources management agency.

At OPM, with the help of many outstanding federal employees, I was dedicated to redirecting and shifting the agency's strategic direction, and successfully transformed OPM into a flexible, innovative and entrepreneurial organization. As the executive director of SLA, I promise to dedicate those same skills and energies to promote the association's strategic initiatives as well as raise awareness of the professionals we represent and the value they bring to their enterprises.

At every organization that I have been a part of, I have found that people are the most important assets, and in the end, any success lies with them. So I want to recognize Lynn Smith for the wonderful job she has done leading SLA as acting executive director for the past 18 months, as well as the rest of the dedicated SLA staff who have done an excellent job of supporting our members. Their hard work on your behalf means that I am entering a healthy, vibrant, and financially sound organization.

I've come to SLA at the start of a re-branding initiative and in the middle of the 2004 budgeting process. I know I have signed on for a challenging task but it is one that I am very eager to start. In the coming weeks and months, I look forward to meeting more of you in person, during chapter visits and at various conferences. Thanks for making this a great experience!

Janice R. Lachance

Executive Director