It is hard to believe another year has passed. It seems like just yesterday I was sending a note to all of you introducing myself as the IHAF Board Chairman.

This is the time of year for us to reflect on the past and look forward to opportunities in the year to come. At IHAF, it's no different. In 2015, we experienced unprecedented growth as we celebrated new highs in attendees at the IHAF Huddles and annual meeting, in new members, in entries to the IHAF Awards, and most importantly, in the advancement and influence of the in-house agency model.

Behind the scenes, our Board of Directors focused on delivering even more value to all of you through the programming IHAF offers, the connected communities we seek to create, and the experiences and insights we share. Additionally, we undertook an overhaul of our by-laws and committee structure—all with the goal of building awareness and advocacy for the in-house movement.

Many thanks to our gifted and dedicated Board, all of whom care deeply about each and every IHAF member, giving countless hours to the organization. This year, we say goodbye to four long-time Board members: Maureen Hartigan, Patrick Hnath, Mark Shafer, and Marta Stiglin. These in-house "pioneers" have served faithfully and we owe much to their vision and ideas. We will miss their leadership and passion; their tireless efforts are much appreciated.

We are fortunate to welcome two new Board members: Joa Pope of Publix Super Markets and Ed Roberts of ElectriCities of North Carolina. Both bring great energy and a deep understanding of in house—we look forward to their contributions. (Look for additional announcements as new Board members are introduced later in Q1.)

In 2016, the IHAF Board is taking a longer-term view of the role of internal agencies and doing our best to anticipate the diverse needs of our members. We will continue our focus on being the premier advocate for the in-house model—evaluating programs and partnerships to build awareness for and connectivity among the community. Our goal is to support your journey with relevant information, shared experiences, and meaningful relationships while showcasing the incredible influence and ever-growing importance of in-house teams like yours.

On behalf of the IHAF Board of Directors and the program team, thank you for your membership with IHAF and for your commitment to the advancement of in-house agency model.