President's Letter

Dear NIRI Silicon Valley Member, Where has the summer gone? With the new NIRI year beginning in September, we reflect back on yet another award-winning year and look ahead with great anticipation. During the NIRI National conference this past June, our chapter was awarded "Best Programs - Large Chapter" and "Best Special Event" for our annual Spring Seminar. The chapter was also acknowledged for its overall performance during the year. With a veteran board returning, we look forward to another successful year of outstanding programs and networking events for our membership. The past 12 months have been among the most challenging in our careers. As we begin to see indications of a market turnaround, it is appropriate that this year's theme is "Power Forward." Not only does this convey a positive momentum, but basketball fans know that the power forward is a player who is an effective rebounder, scorer and who can play tough defense. As IROs, we will rebound from a challenging market and help our respective companies put "points on the board." During summer planning sessions, your Board created a schedule of relevant, timely and informative monthly programs, including our annual September kick off lobster feed, a December holiday event and the annual spring seminar, a Silicon Valley tradition. For your convenience, a pocket schedule is attached to this mailing. As in past years, we will again offer a professional development path, including our mentor program, designed to pair veteran IROs with those interested in expanding their knowledge. In addition, roundtables will be scheduled through the year for both senior IROs and those new to IR. Vendors have always been an important component to NIRI and we offer special opportunities for them to highlight their products and services. Adding to our success through the years, volunteers have made important contributions to the Silicon Valley chapter. We encourage those members interested in participating to sign up get involved. The NIRI-SV website, www.nirisv.org, has added significant content that members will find helpful. The "Members Only" section holds more specific data, including the "job bank, " so be sure to take a look. Also, we welcome and encourage your active participation in NIRI's social networking programs on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, which offer a good opportunity to get your toes wet in social media before you take the full plunge. The goal of the Board is to serve our membership, so as always, please feel free to reach out to me or any board member with your suggestions or comments. I am looking forward to seeing each of you at NIRI-SV events throughout the year. Best regards, Tom Rathjen President, NIRI Silicon Valley Chapter Board of Directors President Tom Rathjen Accuray   President-elect Ken Bond Oracle   VP Programs Remy Bernarda BluePrint Life Science Group LLC   Programs Co-Chair Lisa Hartman Chiorello Juniper Networks   Seminars Co-Chair Judy Davies Verigy   VP Board Affairs Tricia Gugler Electronic Arts   VP Membership Victoria Hyde-Dunn Visa Inc.   Marketing & Communications Co-Chair Hunter Landers Creative Strategy Group, Inc.   VP Seminars Kelly McGeehan Ipreo   VP Marketing & Communications Brenda Ropoulos VisionArts Communications   VP Professional Development Brian Walton Marketwire   Treasurer Sam Wolff Yahoo!   Program Co-Chair Paul Ziots Sun Microsystems