Kentucky State Report
Heather Boutell, KASFAA President

Spring Conference
KASFAA’s Spring Conference was held April 20-22, 2005, at the Louisville Airport Hilton Garden Inn in Louisville, KY. Chester Priest and his adventurous Program Committee did an excellent job planning our Spring Conference. The conference theme, “Exploring KASFAA’s Wild Kingdom” invited participants on a safari complete with live animals, a trip to the zoo, and animal crackers! Jennifer Cosens, Treasurer, reported that our attendance at this conference (close to 300) was the largest ever at a KASFAA Conference. We had more vendor support this year, so thank you to Mike Seiler, Vendor/Sponsor Chair, and all of our vendors for their contributions! KASFAA invited several special guests at the conference. The Department of Education is to be thanked for allowing Kay Jacks and Greg Martin to attend and present several sessions. Kay, who started her financial aid career in Kentucky, was presented the KASFAA Heritage Award. Brad Barnett, Virginia President-Elect, attended the conference and provided a few sessions for our members. KASFAA was honored to have NASFAA representatives George Chin, NASFAA Chair, and Connie McCormick in attendance. SASFAA was also well represented with President Janet Sain providing the SASFAA Update, and Treasurer Lester McKenzie attended. Janet was able to present SASFAA Lifetime Member awards to Judy Deines and Marilyn Clark-Watkins. KASFAA presented plaques to new Lifetime members, Judy Deines and Marian Spencer. Our highest honor in Kentucky, the Herb Vescio Distinguished Service Award, was presented to Dave Cecil for his outstanding accomplishments in our state, region and nation.

Election Results
KASFAA’s future is now in the hands of our newest elected officers, Runan Pendergrast, President-Elect, Jennifer Cosens, Treasurer, Bryan Erslan, Vice President, Katie Valentine, Private School Sector Representative, and Wendi Dailey, Agency Sector Representative. These new leaders will serve Kentucky well to keep KASFAA moving to fulfill our mission.

Support Staff Workshop
KASFAA offered a Support Staff Workshop in Lexington, KY, on May 16, 2005. Approximately 50 support staff personnel attended to learn how to calculate an EFC, listen to a session on customer service, and get general information on the loan programs.

Transition Meeting
President-Elect Shelley Park conducted KASFAA’s annual transition meeting on May 23 and 24 in Covington, KY. Shelley’s theme encouraged new leaders to join her “team” and attend “training camp”. Everything revolved around baseball, as KASFAA’s 04-05 Board helped new members “round the bases”. KASFAA’s 05-06 Board members attended sessions to learn about their new responsibilities and even crossed the river for a Cincinnati Reds ball game.

Georgia State Report
Freida J. Jones, GASFAA President

Greetings from Georgia:

GASFAA has had a wonderful year. Plans are in place to work extremely hard on developing new talent and building member confidence for running for office at the state and regional level. The incoming president, Suzanne Pittman, is dedicating this job to a committee chair for 2005-2006. She is to be commended for her follow-through on our discussions. At the GASFAA conference, there was a booth dedicated to professional development. In short GASFAA will be working diligently to be a feeder to SASFAA’s committees and offices.

GASFAA Spring Conference was June 1-3, 2005 at Chateau Elan, Braselton, GA. Special thanks go to Guy Gibbs for coming to give the SASFAA update.

It was truly an honor to serve on the SASFAA board as State President Thanks go to GASFAA for making this opportunity possibly.

Respectfully submitted,

Freida J. Jones
GASFAA President 2004-2005