TASFAA Family,

The year is coming to a close and most of us will enjoy extra time off with our friends and family.  As we celebrate the holidays, please remember the members of our TASFAA family who are in need of our support this holiday season.

First remember those facing medical issues.  Those include Furmonte’, son of Gwen Fleming, former TASFAA secretary from TCAT Ripley.  Furmonte’ suffers from asthma and went into the hospital with a collapsed lung in September.  He has undergone several surgeries and remains hospitalized with multiple complications.  Next, our friend Mike Jones from TSU remains in a long-term care facility after a major scare with his heart.  Also, Craig Harris’s infant daughter Emery has undergone heart surgery and may face more over the coming months.  Craig was a long-time TASFAA member working for several different sponsor partners.  In addition, Vic Lemons, husband of Jamie Lemons, One-Stop counselor at UTK, is battling lupus and pancreatic cancer.  Last, Robbie Snapp from MTSU has both undergone knee replacement surgery and faced medical issues with her mother.  All of these folks ( as well as anyone I may have missed) could use a little TASFAA love this holiday season!

We have also recently seen the passing of some dear members of our TASFAA family.  In the past few weeks, we have lost Wayne Fletcher, founder of Wayne’s Barber and Beauty School and husband to TASFAA member Melissa Fletcher, Bill Grizzard, the “Pickle Man”, longtime sponsor partner and TASFAA friend, and Tom Zminkowski, former First Tennessee, TSAC and USAF employee.

As I reflect on 2014 and the first half of my TASFAA Presidency, I couldn’t be more proud of our state and our members.  For those of you who were able to join us for dinner at FSA, it truly felt like a family meal.  As member of TASFAA, we aren’t just colleagues; we become true, lifelong friends.    Thank you for this opportunity to serve, I am both humbled and grateful to be a part of this wonderful organization.  Enjoy the season and all my best wishes to all of you for an incredible 2015!

Celena