Building Community

I find it hard to believe my year as president is already beginning to wind down. The honor of serving the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) community has been a far greater pleasure than I imagined it would be when I started down this path. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. As has been my experience
throughout my volunteer positions at the NAEA over the years, the benefits of volunteering always outweigh the effort.

The strength of the National Association of Enrolled Agents has never rested in any single initiative or position. It lives in our community, in the generosity of our members, and in the quiet, everyday kindness that defines who we are as professionals.

Enrolled agents (EAs) work in a profession that demands precision, perseverance, and trust. Yet what continually inspires me is how willingly our members go beyond technical excellence to support one another. Whether it’s a colleague answering a late-night question on the WebBoard, mentoring a new EA through his or her first filing season, or stepping up to volunteer when the association needs leadership, the spirit of cooperation within the NAEA is remarkable.

Kindness is not often listed as a professional competency, but it should be. In moments of uncertainty, legislative change, or professional challenge, kindness has been our steady constant. I have seen it in respectful debate, in patience during times of transition, and in the grace extended to one another when the work feels heavy. Kindness strengthens trust, and trust strengthens our profession.

I am deeply grateful to the Board members who gave their time, insight, and energy, to committee chairs and volunteers who carried the work forward without expectation of recognition, to our staff, whose dedication and professionalism make everything we do possible, and to the members who believe enough in this association to engage, contribute, and care. Leadership is never a solo endeavor, and I have been fortunate to serve alongside an extraordinary group of people.

Community is not something we inherit. It is something we build. Together, we have continued to grow a welcoming, inclusive association that values collaboration, ethical practice, and mutual respect. My hope is that long after any one president’s term ends, that sense of belonging endures and expands.

When my tenure as president is done, I will leave this role with faith in the leaders who will take the reins next. Over the past year, I have seen firsthand the depth of talent, integrity, and commitment within our volunteer leadership pipeline. Together, we have strengthened our advocacy efforts, working to ensure that enrolled agents are recognized, respected, and treated equitably at both the state and federal levels. We have also continued to elevate and promote the EA credential, championing its value to taxpayers, policymakers, and the broader tax community. The foundation we have built is strong, and I am certain it will be carried forward with vision, courage, and care.

Thank you for the privilege of serving you, for your trust, and for your commitment to one another and to our profession. It has been an honor to walk this path with you, and I look forward to a bright future for the NAEA.