It seems like only yesterday we were in Colorado for our annual conference, but another year has passed, and I have been pleased to serve as your president. I am looking forward to welcoming you all to Atlantic City, New Jersey this June 14-16!
 
Atlantic City is located about an hour and a half from Philadelphia and about two hours south of New York City. Atlantic City has long been known as one of New Jersey’s finest beach resort locations and offers excellent shopping, dining, and of course fun and sun at the beach. The conference is being held at Bally’s Hotel, which is located right at the boardwalk on the ocean, giving you a central location to all Atlantic City has to offer. In addition, NASACT’s Executive Committee is offering travel assistance in the amount of $750 for this year’s conference to NSAA members or their designees.
 
Our Program Committee has put together some exceptional training, information and roundtable sessions in the topic areas you indicated the most interest in attending. Sessions will include: 

• GASB Update
• OMB Update
• Emerging Issues Roundtable
• Yellow Book Update
• Data Analytics in Medicaid
• Using Statistical Sampling in Performance Audits
• Modernizing the State Audit Office
• HR Roundtable
• Data Analytics Tools
• Ethical Hacking 

Also, on Tuesday, June 13, our committees will hold meetings throughout the day, culminating with the Executive Committee meeting at the end of the day. I am so thankful to have had such a dedicated group to participate in our committee activities. Special thanks to the chairs and vice chairs of our committees who work so closely with NASACT to provide information sharing calls on timely issues affecting all of us. After all, it is this sharing of ideas and information across our organizations which makes all of us better educated and informed. I would like to also thank our current Executive Committee for their continued commitment to our success:

• President-Elect Stacey E. Pickering (MS)
• Secretary/Treasurer Beth Wood (NC)
• Immediate Past President Dianne E. Ray (CO)
• Daryl G. Purpera (LA)
• Suzanne Bump (MA)
• Scott E. Frank (KS) 

NSAA has welcomed several new state auditors since our annual conference last June: 

• Kip Memmott (OR)
• Robert Kane (CT)
• Angus Maciver (MT)
• Josh Gallion (ND)
• Pat McCarthy (WA) 

I have been very fortunate to have had some excellent leaders guide me during my career in state auditing. Every one of them emphasized the importance of getting involved in “your profession.” I am so grateful they pushed me to do so and would encourage all of you to do the same. The people I have met and the experiences I have enjoyed are irreplaceable. If you are new to NSAA and NASACT, please reach out to get involved. I promise you will find it very rewarding.
 
I am looking forward to seeing you all in Atlantic City at the 2017 NSAA Annual Conference in June.

 

Stephen M. Eells was appointed state auditor of New Jersey in February 2010. He is a certified public accountant who has been employed by the Office of the State Auditor since 1982. Mr. Eells graduated from Rider College in 1982 with a B.S. in commerce. He serves as current president of the National State Auditors Association.