J U L Y 2 0 2 1 • M A T E R I A L S E V A L U A T I O N 659 WHENEVER AND WHEREVER this letter finds you, I trust it finds you and yours well. It almost feels like the Earth is rotating a bit faster these days. While I know this is not actually the case, it sure feels good to pick up some momentum again. I want to take this opportunity to thank the members of your Business and Finance (B&F) Committee. I have been remiss on not highlighting the thoughtful and highly professional service that B&F performs, especially regarding the challenges of the past two years. Many of the changes you are seeing now are a result from their work as we lean into better operations, resourcing, and focused execution. The B&F Committee has also assisted the Board of Directors by providing oversight and recommendations for the next fiscal year’s budget and highlighting gap areas. Please feel free to reach out to these volunteers and thank them. We are indebted (pardon the pun) to the service of John Z. Chen (chair), Danny L. Keck (vice chair), members Mark H. Gehlen, Kirsten Groenewald, David H. Mitchell, Hussein M. Sadek, Kevin D. Smith, John A. Stringer, Director of Finance and Controller Brad Pence, CPA, CGMA, and Executive Director Neal Couture, CAE. As an aside, I am pleased to note that we have a very healthy balance sheet. Currently our investments are enjoying double-digit growth, although a few of our advisors are cautioning some turbulence ahead. Our operations are starting to see good momentum, and it is our objective to get “back in the black” in the not-so-distant future. Speaking of business, my hope is that yours is percolating and demand is beginning to rise. We have so many different facets to our Society it truly should be a business school exercise to map how many different types of businesses ASNT touches. I was once told that the nondestructive testing (NDT) industry is the most professional industry that does not require multiple levels of education, and it affords many an income opportunity that is far higher than most. Having been around a while, I would agree. For anyone joining our industry, think about all the different avenues you can take. NDT is truly an inde- scribable opportunity. How did you get in it? Where are you currently? Where do you want to go? Fun fact from the President—this little industry has not only provided for my family and myself, but also afforded me the ability to travel to more than 25 countries and most of the United States. What other careers can afford these opportunities? I have also had the privilege of working all over the world with some of the best people in the work, forming relationships that are like family to me and learning from other cultures and business practices. While inspection continues to be a business, it is also a career choice—a career choice that offers so many opportunities. In my opinion, our Society is squarely facing an exciting conundrum in the very short term. Are we attracting new talent to our industry and our Society? Are we any different than every other craft and industry that is having a difficult time staffing? I think it is incumbent on us as a Society to lead in this current environment. Although for the most part of my career I have been on the commercial and technical sales side, I am a firm believer in quality over quantity and attraction versus promotion. I was attracted to the people, the importance of NDT, and opportunity I had to make a living. The good news is that ASNT is going to focus on promoting the NDT business as a wonderful career choice, and the great news is that we have our quality membership (you!) to attract other highly talented persons to our world, keeping us all safe and sound. Be safe, attract and promote, and wheels up! JOHN T. IMAN 2020–2021 ASNT President jiman@asnt.org Gaining Momentum PRESIDENT’S letter I am a firm believer in quality over quantity and attraction versus promotion.