Rick is another guy I've gotten to know through the SAS users group community, mainly through mutual work with the NorthEast SAS Users Group (NESUG), where's held various leadership positions, including that of conference chair. I wish I had his stamina and motivation. Wait until you find out what he does "for fun" below. I'm sure that he'd love to meet you during this year's conference so that he can keep your feedback in mind when he takes the helm in San Francisco in 2013. It's never too early to plan ahead, especially when you're goal is to create another stellar event for thousands of your professional peers.
1. Why did you get involved with SAS Global Forum?
I initially got involved at SUGI 23 in Nashville when I presented my first paper on a SAS technique to automatically report summary results from multiple regression models (this was before I could use ODS!). I was extremely nervous to get up and speak in front of a large audience, and I recall how friendly and helpful all of the SUGI volunteers were to help make everything go smoothly. The conference turned out to be such a great experience that I was hooked right away and immediately began working on my next paper idea, as well as helping out as a session coordinator. 2. At what point does your role as upcoming conference chair begin?
My role actually began in April of 2010 when I was selected to chair the 2013 conference. Since then, I have been working closely with Debbie Buck (2011 Conference Chair), Andy Kuligowski (2012 Conference Chair), SAS, and the Executive Board to help with this year’s conference, as well as brainstorm and begin planning for 2013.
3. Where I could find you, if you weren’t at a SAS users group conference?
You would either find me doing a wide range of family activities with my wife Karen and 3 kids (Ryan, Dylan, and Lauren), or if you are a true adventurer, then you would find me running along the roads or trails. I’ve run about 40 marathons and ultramarathons including eight 50-milers and one 100 miler through the Massanutten Mountains in Virginia with 18,000 feet worth of accents and descents. What better way could give me enough peace and quiet to contemplate how SAS will solve all of my problems?
