Dear Members,

One of the nice things about a long and satisfying career is the opportunity to reflect on the many milestones and accomplishments along the way. Even though they bring joy, there often is some sadness too, knowing that you will miss lots of the "good old times."

I have invested much of my energy over the last 30 years to learning, improving, sharing, teaching, auditing and writing about property and evidence management, but I think about that time not as accomplishments, but as people.

Each face that I have looked into in a class, each phone call or e-mail or note that I receive thanking me for my efforts, or sharing a success that they give me partial credit for, or celebrating an accomplishment that they share with me, becomes a part of my career that will always be a warm memory. Along that vein, let me share a story about another change.

Almost eleven years ago I went with my wife Nancy, and with Gordon Bowers and his wife Susan, to Northern California to meet with International Association for Property and Evidence Board representatives following the untimely death of Robin Lynn Trench, the founder of  I.A.P.E. and the original editor and publisher of The Evidence Log(c).

The Board wanted to ensure that the movement toward professionalism that was I.A.P.E. would not die with Robin. I had been teaching classes for I.A.P.E., and Robin had made them aware of my commitment to the profession.  I also was aware of the daunting task of carrying the Association forward into becoming the voice of professional property and evidence management, and knew that I could count on Gordon's support if I took over responsibility for the Association's leadership.

From the day we returned, I immersed myself in the goals and leadership of the Association, and Gordon took over as editor of The Evidence Log(c), including writing one or more articles for each issue.

Gordon retired as Captain of Burbank (CA) Police Department in December, 2004. After a brief period consulting full-time, he accepted the position of Chief of Police for the City of Lakeway, Texas, on September 1, 2005.

Effective immediately following this issue, Gordon is passing the torch as editor based on his conflicting time demands. The Board (including Gordon) has chosen a successor editorial firm, which will be introduced in the next issue.

For this issue, however, I want to thank Gordon for his commitment and contributions to the I.A.P.E. over the last decade. The design, style and content of The Evidence Log(c) bear his personal mark of excellence, and we are pleased that he will continue as a Board member.

I will always remember our partnership in the Association's early days, and I commend his efforts in developing The Evidence Log(c) from a 24-page newsletter into a 64-page professional journal.

Best wishes, Gordon!