Welcome to the September issue of The Analyst –my last as executive editor of this publication. My three-year term serving on the Toronto CFA Society Board of Directors and being at the helm of The Analyst seems to have gone by very quickly, yet it has truly become an integral part of who I am professionally.

It has been an honour and a privilege to give back to our profession by contributing my best skills, and most importantly having worked during this time with wonderful, committed people–my fellow Board members, other society volunteers, and you, our members.

My very special thanks go to all the members of my capable Member Communications Committee, without whom The Analyst would not have become what it is today: Nick Chen, CFA; Shang Yen Bell, CFA; Anne Maggisano, CIM; Geneviève Plourde, CFA; Jane Gulian-Moiroux, CFA; Donna Metcalf (creative/design); Christina Kovacs, CFA (copyediting). Each of them has contributed years of dedication, creativity, and plain hard work amid requirements of their daytime jobs and personal lives. Christina da Rocha, director of operations at the society office, has always been an invaluable, outstanding help.

I pass on the torch into the capable hands of my successors: Caroline Avery, the upcoming executive editor; Jane Gulian-Moiroux, CFA, committee vice-chair and associate executive editor; and Rossa O’Reilly, CFA, the new Member Communications Committee chair.

Many of you may remember Caroline from her work on this committee and authoring articles in the society’s newsletter in previous years; I am delighted to have her back. Some of you may know her professionally in the career of investment communications; she is currently with Invesco Trimark. Jane is enjoying a rewarding career, also in investment communications, with BMO Harris, and has been instrumental over the past year with her assistance in the transition of leadership of this committee and The Analyst. Rossa is enjoying a longtime career with CIBC World Markets, and has been involved with CFA Institute/AIMR for many years back. His role will be the strategic leadership of this committee, as well as service on the Board.

Also, please join me in welcoming our new president for the 2009-10 year, Steve Rostowsky, CFA, whose first message to The Analyst readers appears on the next page.

Enjoy this issue of The Analyst. Please do keep contributing your feedback and the always-welcome letters to the editor, as well as suggestions on taking your publication to the next level in this new upcoming chapter of its history.