A message from the President...

Happy new year from the Board!  

It has been a long time since being in this position as a president of the CDLA. After dusting the plaque off, it read the year of 1985. How time flies by.

A lot of things have changed since then, yet there are so many things that remain the same: the dental lab work is challenging, the constant demands for perfection and precision, the always looming due date, the wearing of many hats as a small business owner, and the relentless struggle of trying to make ends meet.

I have observed the people who have sacrificed and served to keep the values and traditions of the CDLA alive and well.  Thank you for the investing of your time and energy into the association.  We are fortunate to have one of the best dental lab associations in the country.  I have also noticed that many of the Chicago Midwinter speakers come here to our Spring Technical Meeting, indicating the quality of education and training the CDLA provides to its members.  Because of this success, the Spring Technical Meeting has grown these last couple of years, again a tribute to those who serve and make it happen.

There are some specific goals that we plan achieve this coming year.  First, is to continue to provide outstanding education, technology, and training in this upcoming Spring Technical.  We have already secured many fine educators and venders.  Second, is to follow and implement the strategic plan that was put in place by the board of the last three years.  It is good work that they did for this association.  Third, is to continue to broaden the use of the new and exciting CDLA web site.  It’s a great way to communicate to the members and others of what is taking place, and to sign up for those events.  Finally, as president, the fourth goal is to attempt to have a state wide reach in participation on the board via phone or Internet connection, conducting our meetings from home, or the lab, verses meeting at a board room.  The normal method of a centralized board meeting is a driving and limiting force that hampers the creativity of the lab association.  It restricts participation on the board to the front range and primarily Denver.  We are starting off this new way with two new board members from Colorado Springs, Michael Fortner and Dan Efring.  We definitely wish to bridge the gap across to the western slope, and to the entire state.

The benefits of participation are many, but the main one has been the meeting and interacting with the board and members of the CDLA.  I know first hand what a rewarding experience it has been to meet and work along side the members of the board.  In an industry where you can spend vast amounts of time glued to your bench, it is good to get out and socialize and work on giving back.  In these trying and difficult economic times, I can think of no better time than now to get involved.  So come to the meetings, participate, and serve your industry!

Thank You!  

Mac Perry, CDLA President