Note: On Thursday, October 5, 2023, Maggie Alix was installed as NYSAA’s president for 2023-2024. Below is her acceptance speech:
Good evening,
First let me take this opportunity to congratulate 1st Vice President, Rob Bick, 2nd Vice President David Roach, and board members Lisa Goree and Jill Murphy. Board Member Joshua Herman will be sworn in, in the near future. I look forward to working with you and the entire executive board in the coming year.
I am honored to be the 83rd President of the New York State Assessors Association. I am humbled by this opportunity, and by the amount of support I have here tonight.
This time last year while in Lake George, Past President, Lloyd Tasch said to me, it’s a good thing we’re having your installation at a city center, knowing all too well that my family would be here in full support. My mother, Jill, my sister, Abby, brothers, Michael and Dan, my sister in-laws, Tanya, Amy, and Christina, and my uncle Jerry have joined me this evening. In addition, I have my dear friends the Karwiel’s, and my friends and colleagues from the Town and Village of Green Island. I truly appreciate all of you being here this evening. The people around these 4 tables are the members of my team; they work side by side with me day in and day out and allow me the ability to give my time to the association.
Not only is this an honorable night for myself but also for Green Island. The Association represents municipalities from Long Island, out to Buffalo and as far north as Franklin County, but before this evening I’d have to assume that the majority of you have never heard of Green Island. Green Island is one of only five conterminous town – villages in the state. It’s located in Albany County, just 8 miles north from the City of Albany. Green Island is unique, its rich in history and culture all packed into one square mile. Although mostly residential, the small commercial businesses are what give Green Island it’s character, and we are grateful for the industrial investments that have fostered our economic growth.
So, although I stand before you from a municipality with less than 900 parcels, have no fear, I have all of you. This room is filled with intelligent and skilled assessors. No two assessors have had the same experience, there’s always a niche or twist to be discovered. There’s a curiosity to assessing that leads to the desire to learn.
I challenge all of you to avoid complacency. If you are working toward basic certification let the Association help guide you. Challenge yourself passed the required 12 hours of continuing education; work toward an advanced certification, your IAO, or explore IAAO courses. Choose the path that works best for you, but push the boundaries of what you can achieve as an individual. As a result, you’ll gain confidence, and resiliency. I’m confident that the Trustees will continue to advance our profession by providing the membership with a variety of educational offerings, and with great thanks to the continuous support of the Fund the Association’s future is bright.
When Rochelle Harris approached me about being on the executive board, on the last day of the conference, outside of the pool area at the Crowne Plaza in Lake Placid, nine years ago, I thought to myself why me? I hoped it wasn’t for my antics on the dance floor the night before but because she saw in me a willingness to be a team player, a desire to help others, and the commitment to make a difference.
Not only is Shelly responsible for getting me to apply for the board, but once elected and after I had some time to “get my feet wet” she assigned me to chair of the legislative committee. She gave Scott Shedler and I the opportunity to tackle real property tax issues head on. At first, I was overwhelmed but then Sue Otis called one day and gave me advice on how to move forward which gave me the courage to assume to the role. Since then, with the support of the executive boards Scott, myself and the legislative team have stood our ground against the telecommunications industry, have fought back against solar, have drafted and passed legislation. We were able to get the President of the Association named to the state’s tax exemption task force, and I too was named separately by Speaker of the House. Our team has cultivated relationships with the Association of Towns, New York Conference of Mayors and we have gained the respect from members of the state legislature. Although it’s been 5 years already, it feels like we’re just getting started. It’s a long process, but we are committed to being a voice of the assessment community. Know that whether you express concerns or ideas in conversation or by email your voices are heard. You are making a difference. We haven’t won every battle, but we are in the fight.
I hope during my presidency as an association we can create a balance between appreciating and preserving institutional knowledge with enabling creativity and innovation. Together, the Executive Board, the Trustees, and the Fund; we can create a culture that is relatable to the entire membership. A culture that brings out the best of everyone in a way that boosts productivity. As leaders we need understand what drives our members to effectively devise strategies that align with the association’s goals and objectives.
Before I close, I want to thank the Albany Schenectady County, Saratoga and Warren County Assessors Associations, and the conference committee for welcoming us to Saratoga. Thank you for making this conference one to remember.
Thank you to those of you who participated in the Build-a-Bear activity on Tuesday. Green Island’s adopt-a-family program is near and dear to me. I assure you that the bears will brighten the lives of many children this holiday season.
Thank you to all of our vendors and sponsors. Most everything this week came as a surprise to me, so if I haven’t shared my thanks this evening, please know you’ll be hearing from me soon.
And lastly, thank you to all those that have come before me. I’ve had the pleasure of working with the Past Presidents from Dennis Ketchum to Christine Hayes. I learned something from each one of you. And to all of the prestigious leaders of the Association leaders who have added layers to the Association’s strong foundation, thank you. As we continue to advance the Association let’s communicate respectfully, share new ideas freely, disagree amicably, as we continuously learn together.
Thank you!
Past Presidents List (doc)
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