WHAT A YEAR!

As I look back on my year as Chair of NAPEO’s Board of Directors, I am filled with immense appreciation, pride, and gratitude. Our Annual Conference & Marketplace in Orlando is a testament to the vibrancy and continued potential of our industry. It is an incredible experience that highlights our progress and sets a reinforcing tone for the future.

It is hard to believe that my time as Chair has come to an end. I always heard the joke, or maybe better called the truth, from previous Chairs about the “Dead Chairpersons Club,” and it looks like it is now my turn. I am genuinely excited for David, who will be taking over and will do an excellent job, as well as the strong pipeline behind him of Bill Maness and then Tara Conger. And let us not forget about the newly nominated board members. Their energy and vision will undoubtedly continue to drive NAPEO forward.

This past year was also the first for our President and CEO Casey Clark. From the moment we on the search committee met Casey, we knew we had something special there. Seeing him in action has only reinforced my confidence in his leadership. Casey’s inaugural year has been marked by strategic initiatives and a steadfast commitment to our members and of course the NAPEO team. I feel extremely confident that NAPEO is in good hands under his leadership.

Throughout my term, several initiatives stood out as highlights. We launched initiatives aimed at keeping former Chairs connected while enriching member engagement, deepening the reach into our membership, and looking to get fresh players into our industry all with the end game of enabling SMBs. The leadership retreat this past February was particularly impactful, fostering deep discussions on the initiatives by incorporating fresh and innovative ideas. These balances are essential for sustaining our momentum and adapting to evolving industry dynamics.

I also want to reacknowledge the importance of the formation of the advisory group composed of former board chairs. The initiative is designed to harness the insights and expertise of past leaders by keeping them updated on core association issues and events. This will ensure that their wisdom continues to benefit NAPEO while not minimizing current leadership or preventing new people from getting involved or sharing their thoughts.

Inclusion has been a focal point of our efforts this past year. We recognized the need for benchmarking research to understand the state of diversity within our industry and then the obstacles we need to overcome for broader participation. Improving educational outreach about the PEO industry is vital for attracting diverse talent and enhancing overall industry awareness. This initiative will make us all better as individuals and companies and ensure we are serving and giving back to the people and markets we should be.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the impact that M&A is having and will continue to have on our industry and NAPEO specifically. M&A evidences the broad belief in our industry’s continued viability and displays the greatness we all created. With that said, we do need to address the effect on NAPEO’s dues as they are currently calculated. If we want to keep NAPEO growing and being a big contributor to our success, no matter the size of your PEO, then we must tackle the topic none of us like to discuss – dues. It is clear, at least to this author, that the current model is unsustainable, necessitating change that will need to be continually updated as the industry evolves over future years.

In closing, I extend my heartfelt thanks to the board members and membership for their dedication and support. Your collaboration and commitment have made this year a success. Though my term as Chair is ending, I will continue to serve on the Board as Immediate Past Chair for the next year and remain available to anyone who needs assistance over that year or years to come when I am part of that Dead Chairperson’s Club!

Thank you all for a remarkable year. Here is to our continued growth and success.

Warmest of regards,

Steve