FROM THE PRESIDENT
Richard Sampson
Well this is a column that’s been a long time coming. I mean that in a great way though, and I’ll attempt to explain.
According to LTEN bylaws and procedures, the Board of Directors elects a new president every two years. Each of our leaders serve two years at this particular helm, then step back to allow a successor to steer the ship. It’s a system that keeps new ideas and innovations churning, and it guarantees a stronger course for LTEN.
It didn’t happen that way this time. Thanks to reasons ranging from pandemic to personnel, the board asked me to extend my time. It’s been a journey to be sure, but it was also an honor I was happy to accept.
I’ve been LTEN board president since early 2020, which translates to me hanging around for about 13 extra months. It’s been a time I’ll never forget, and it’ll proudly have a place on my professional resumé, but I’m also excited to turn things over to my replacement.
I can’t tell you who that is yet – at the time I’m writing this, the successor hasn’t been selected. However, I’m comfortable saying you’ll be in good hands. LTEN will make the official announcement this month, and that person will take over this space in the next issue. So let me welcome them to the new role here. I know they look forward to sharing their incoming thoughts with you in next month’s LTEN Focus on Training magazine.
However, there are a few things that I would like to share as the torch is being passed.
How do you wrap up such an incredible experience? I’ve told you the honor was mine, and I sincerely mean that. Over these past three years, we’ve all been challenged like no other time in our lives, both professionally and personally. Amid all the challenges and uncertainty though, we as an industry have grown and thrived.
When our companies were forced to shut down offices, training helped save the day by diving headfirst into remote learning. We shared the tools, knowledge and motivations for our learners to reinvent themselves and their client approaches.
I’m proud to say LTEN kept pace with all that growth. We pioneered all kinds of virtual programs – from mixers to award presentations to live conferences – to keep you educated and to show you firsthand the tools and solutions available in our rewritten world.
And we came back together as soon as we safely could. Like good educators and life sciences professionals, we took the proper precautions and we soldiered on. I will certainly never forget that LTEN annual conference in Denver.
No one can take credit for all that human resilience and perseverance, of course, but I can share that I tried to do my part as your board president when the need arrived. I’ll always be proud of what we accomplished together during all that tumult, including the loss of a dear friend and fellow board member.
All of this brings me to the most important part of this presidential farewell – the ability to say thank you to so many who have shared this walk with me. I’ve thanked people individually, and will continue to do so, but I’ll also recognize the groups of professionals who’ve made my extended stay so enjoyable.
If this sounds like a goodbye, think again. I’ll continue to serve LTEN as a board member and you’ll continue to see me around and about. As I move into “past president status,” my contact options remain open to you. Through LTEN, we have something in common, you and I, and that’s a passion that doesn’t fade.
Richard Sampson is president of the LTEN Board of Directors and vice president, global training & development, global commercial operations, for Cepheid. Email Richard at richard.sampson@cepheid.com.