Happy July!! I trust you all had a wonderful holiday and enjoying the summer. I am incredibly honored to serve as IPT’s President for the 2024 – 2025 term and am pleased to be part of moving IPT’s PROgression forward with the new website and outreach initiatives throughout the coming year.
But first, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Immediate Past President Allan Wells, CMI, for his successful presidency and hosting an informative, productive, and entertaining Annual Conference in San Diego. I truly appreciate his leadership; he has set a high standard for IPT Presidents and I will do all I can to reach it.
I trust you all have seen the updated website and may have seen the
new brand video. (If not, please click the link.) The vision and rollout are thanks to the hard work and dedication of Immediate Past President Wells, the Board of Governors, many volunteers, and IPT’s staff. And a special thank you to Emily Archer for her leadership with the initiative. The team’s efforts have refreshed IPT’s brand, making it clean, modern, and relatable. Through this initiative, we can effectively tell IPT’s story. IPT is the Tax Pro community, where education and community unite, and now it’s time to spread this message.
During my term, my primary initiative is to take the next step. Our aim is to reengage members who have left IPT and demonstrate why they should return. We also want to introduce IPT to SALT professionals and companies that do not yet know us. We will achieve this by conducting a targeted marketing campaign, employing strategies and tactics we have never used before to reconnect with past members, broaden IPT’s visibility in the SALT community, and increase our membership. And we ask that all members participate in this outreach. Please encourage your network to visit the new website. And let me, Executive Director Chris Muntifering, or other Board members, know if there are former or potential members you think would appreciate direct outreach. Expanding our visibility with these vital audiences is critical to building IPT’s longevity and sustainability. The ultimate objective is to position IPT and all its members for success in the years to come.
At this year’s Annual Meeting of Members, the membership elected a new slate of IPT Board Members and Officers.
The new Officers are:
- First Vice President: Donald L. Lippert, Jr., CMI
- Second Vice President: Jeff McGhehey, CMI
The new Board Members are:
- Rodney L. Cole, CMI
- Kristina Friedman, CMI
- Martin Guenther, CMI, MAI
I extend my sincerest congratulations to these deserving individuals and look forward to working with them. Membership also approved the Board’s proposed Bylaw changes at the meeting. These changes involved electronic voting and changes to the Professional Designation Committees. The updated Bylaws are posted on IPT’s website and can be found
here.
I anticipate an exciting year ahead for IPT. Symposium and School Committees are working hard to ensure upcoming programs are the best they can be. If you are interested in participating in this process, would like to suggest topics, or are interested in speaking, please reach out to the Committee Chairs. Our Standing Committees are actively supporting the Institute’s mission and objectives IPT would not exist without the commitment and dedication of its members. Thank you all for your time, participation, and the opportunity to represent IPT. Please feel free to reach out to me directly with feedback or questions on how you can get more involved with IPT.
Best regards,
Trisha C. Fortune, CMI, CPA
IPT President