Welcome from the President

Dear Members and Supporters of The Georgia Securities Association,

I am excited to serve as the President of the Georgia Securities Association for 2009.  I look forward to strengthening relationships and continuing our contributions to both the financial community and the Georgia community as a whole.  I have been a member of the Atlanta financial community for 14 years and a member of the GSA Board for the past 12 years.  Having seen the market and the economy soar and fall in that span, I believe these are the toughest times we will encounter in many years.  I truly appreciate everyone’s support in helping the GSA and the Georgia financial community.

The GSA has grown in many different ways over the years.  I am most proud of the many different charitable organizations we contribute to, thanks directly to our generous sponsors each and every year.

The GSA is one of the founding sponsors of the Georgia council on Economic Education and we are very proud of our long association with them.  Not only does the GCEE sponsor the 2nd largest Stock Market Game in the country, they also provide financial teaching workshops at no cost to the teachers or school systems.  These programs are designed to promote financial literacy at a young age.  These programs begin in the 4th grade and go through high school.

Thanks to the GSA’s sponsors, we have reached out to help disadvantaged children in the state of Georgia.  We have actively pursued charities that focus on children in need.  We hope to grow with these groups in the same way we have grown with the GCEE.  We are proud to support:

  • Bert’s Big Adventure, a special trip designed to provide families a magical weekend at Walt Disney World. These families have children, aged 5 to 12, who are experiencing a chronic or terminal illness. The families live in the Atlanta area and have a proven financial need.
  • Catalyst for CARE, works to identify and fill gaps in services available to kids in foster care and make sure that every child has the resources a caring parent would provide.
  • H.E.R.O. for Children is dedicated to improving the quality of life and of children infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS through enriching programs, unforgettable experiences, and connections to the community.
  • Our House, provides free quality early childhood education and comprehensive support services for families who are homeless.
  • Susan G. Kohmen for the Cure.

I am thrilled to announce that Fox Business Anchor Dagen McDowell be our keynote speaker for our 2009 Fall Outing.  I hope everyone is able to attend what will surely be a great evening, followed by our golf outing at Bear’s Beast Golf Course the next day.

I would like to thank the 2009 GSA Board of Directors, our Lead Sponsors, and everyone has worked to ensure this will be a memorable year for the GSA during these tough economic times.

Sincerely,

Bart Nance
2009 GSA President