Meet your new NAPO^® Board Members!

Thank you to those Active and Associate Members who voted in the recent NAPO Board Election. The new NAPO Board begins its work on Thursday, May 15, 2008. Meet your new Board Members:

Laura Leist, President-Elect

It has been a privilege to serve our membership as a board member for the past three years.

I believe I can effectively lead NAPO in a direction that will continue to educate the public about our industry. The media has done a great job in the past few years to showcase Professional Organizer's work. I look forward to the day when the public is educated about the benefits and value of working with a professional organizer - in their everyday life, not just in "extreme" situations. I would like to play an active role in this education so that the question asked is "Who is your Professional Organizer" rather than someone stating that their home is "not that bad" and therefore they could not benefit from the services a Professional Organizer offers.

As the leader of one of the largest Organizing Companies in the US, I recognize the endless opportunities for everyone in our industry. Just as we say "there is no one-size-fits-all" organizing solution, there is also no "one-size-fits-all" business model. NAPO members have yet to experience the potential of the opportunities available to everyone. As your President-Elect, I will lead you to opportunities that will help grow your business.

Sandy Stelter
Treasurer

The opportunity to serve another term on the National Board seems like a natural progression to me. I have served and provided leadership for the past 2 year term as Secretary as well as for many years on the NAPO-SFBA Board as Treasurer (4 terms), Vice-President, President, and Immediate Past President. Over the years, I have been able to reap the benefits of NAPO membership in terms of education, networking, and publicity. I can't imagine not being a member of this organization and owning a professional organizing business.

As Treasurer of NAPO, my role is to coordinate the financial management of NAPO to assure financial stability and budget development and oversee custody of organization funds.

Our industry encompasses a rich breadth and depth of so many areas of knowledge and is continuing to grow and educate the public, the media, and ourselves. I look forward to being a part of the leadership team for this industry. I eagerly look forward to the opportunity to serve during such an exciting growth period.

I remember my excitement back in 2000 when I discovered NAPO and realized that I could have a business doing what I love to do!

NAPO has been a huge part of why I've been able to build a successful professional organizing business in a rural area. I have attended every convention since 2000 and encourage every organizer I meet to join NAPO.

Because of NAPO's education and support I went from being an at-home mom of 5 children to running a six-figure organizing business within 5 years. I teach a NAPO teleclass, give workshops around the country to organizers on how to build their business, and spoke at the NAPO convention in 2005, 2006 and will be speaking in Reno in 2008.

As a national speaker, author of "Organize with Confidence," and director of the Fearless Organizing Women's VIP Circle I enjoy being a leader in this industry and have unique qualities to be your board member. I look forward to creating relationships with you and helping you get everything you can out of your membership.

Gary Balser
Associate Member Director

As a Member for a short period of time, I quickly appreciate the value and success that NAPO presents for communities, educational institutions, individual small business entrepreneurs, publications, media outlets, along with small and large business manufacturers and distributors.

Working for ClosetMaid six years and at Lofty Vision for two years has afforded an opportunity not only to understand the needs of the consumer and organization but also become excited about the future of the organization market.

As an Associate Director, I will serve and listen to those who have experienced this leadership position and given their lives to helping people. I believe it is paramount to understand market and political trends of the world as it relates to the NAPO organization, plus the issues, and challenges of all members. Together we look for methods and products to resolve issues that stand in the way of everyone's success.

Board Appointments

This year's election resulted in three (3) vacancies on the NAPO Board: two (2) Active Member Directors positions and one (1) Secretary position. The Board of Directors has approved the following appointments for each of these positions:

Valentina Sgro
Secretary (1 year appointment)

As a Director for two years, I learned the importance of detailed and accurate communications between the Board and its committee volunteers. As Treasurer for the past three-and-a-half years, I have gained perspective on how each strategic planning unit's initiatives impact the whole association. As a charter member of both Ohio chapters, I see the value of NAPO's activities at the local level. As a long-time participant in NSGCD and a four-time attendee at Professional Organizers in Canada (POC) conferences, I am aware of the broader scope and interrelatedness of our profession. And I believe my abilities as an accountant and licensed attorney provide added depth when setting our strategic direction and policies.

My tenure on the Board has given me institutional knowledge regarding the strategic decisions NAPO has made in recent years, which will be invaluable going forward. My experience as Treasurer has taught me how to work with professional management staff, which is essential to an organization of our size.

I am willing to spend the time it takes to make sure that NAPO not only gets things done, but gets them done right. I have no personal agenda, and believe I represent our members well in the boardroom and our profession well to the public.

Angela Wallace
Active Member Director (1 year appointment)

My involvement with NAPO has been one of the defining activities of my career. I am committed to the industry, the profession and NAPO. My goal—make a difference in the world, within the profession and within NAPO.

NAPO membership has doubled since 2004, creating a sound financial foundation and challenging us to provide top-notch services to our booming membership. NAPO continues the development of education, support of certification, and recognition of NAPO as the Organizing Authority.

My twelve years as a NAPO member include serving both in positions of leadership and support roles. I've participated in many other organizations and served on many boards—Chamber of Commerce, Tenants' Association, Employee Union, etc.

I am honored to serve.

Pam McCutcheon
Active Member Director (1 year appointment)

"What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?" This is my motto for life and for my business. This is more than a dreamers approach to life, it's a call to action - get moving on that dream! This is how I have built my professional organizing firm, "The Clutter Cutter", based in Wichita, KS. I started with just me, and have built the business up to a team of 12 in four years. NAPO has been a big part of helping me understand how to shoot for the stars. I have been able to surround myself with successful people, tap in to their knowledge, and learn that other PO's are not competition, but rather a huge resource for support, friendship, and vision.

I am grateful to NAPO and its members for their role in my success, and I'm so excited and honored to have the opportunity to give something back. I will serve with all of the passion, commitment and excellence that I work to have in every aspect of my life. I encourage each NAPO member to act now to fulfill your hopes and aspirations - you can do it!