Hey there, Todd!  I hope this email finds you doing well. How the heck are you?  I have been doing well. Just trying to save lives through education.  I hope to be able to see all of your fabulous crew in 2009!  That would be most wonderful. Please know that Capt. Puckett and I brag on the outstanding job you and all of your elves did at putting together the conference and that we have bragged on ya’ll many times over. A few weeks ago, Capt. Puckett and I taught Public Fire and Life Safety Educator 1 to eight members of our department and ya’ll were mentioned several times that week—of course we only said the good stuff.

I just want you to know that I felt it a HUGE privilege of being in the presence of such wonderful folks like I was over there and again it is my hope that I will be there in 09 to catch up with all of ya’ll. I cannot tell you enough the awesome job that all of you did in coordinating the conference---I know a lot of long hours and hard work goes into trying to pull that off. I also appreciate greatly the level of knowledge and friendliness of the instructors that were invited to present. I found all of them to be very approachable and willing to satisfy questions that we have had since we have returned from the beach.

Again, Todd thank you from the bottom of my heart for the devotion you and your staff displayed and for taking time away from your families in order to make sure that the conference went off without a hitch. I hope that you and your loved ones have a great weekend and continue to prosper in life. Thank you for doing your part in making this world we live in a little more safe.

Hi Todd -

Just a quick note - I wanted you to know what a good time we had at the conference. I shared with Kelly today that I wasn't sure exactly how to express my thoughts... but it just seemed that you all had an atmosphere that... most of the folks in our type of jobs... are often overloaded and need a setting like the one you all have .. to be rejuvenated.. and I am not just talking about the beach... but that is a huge plus of course!!!! I know I was glad I had made the decision to attend by lunchtime on Monday - and I am so happy that I got to spend some time with all of you all. I have been around for many years and attended many conferences... and this was really nice . Even just having time to talk and laugh at lunch was great.

The past couple of years.. at our conferences, we have filled every minute of our day ... even programs during meal time when folks would like to socialize just a little.

Anyway , I guess I just wanted to tell you that I appreciate the hospitality and am thrilled that we have gotten to know our neighbors down south! Please share my compliments with your crew! Take care!

Jan Parker
North Carolina
Department of Insurance
Office of the State Fire Marshal