Remind you, a lot goes into this kind of an event and many people have worked very, very hard, harder than ive worked, to put all of this together. One of the people who could not be here was frank cogliano, because he got stuck in newark. Hell be here later this evening. His cochair is here and shes going to say a few words. Thank you. [applause] welcome. Im sorry that frank isnt here to join me for this further welcome. Just to say how wonderful it is to see everyone here and to work with such an Amazing Group of people. I especially want to thank annette and frank, my cochair, robin, without whom we would sees to function, and also to the Wonderful Program committee, one of whose members is sitting there many are in the audience tonight and they generously of time an talent to put this program together to go through the many proposals that we had. Weir looking forward to what is an exciting, interesting, varied diverse sheer with a lot of different panels and topics. Its a pleasure
Thompson is the first African-American to lead the chamber board and is the CEO and chairman of four businesses, including Thompson Distribution and First Electric Supply.