Chairing the CAS Centennial Steering Committee meant overseeing the planning, organization and execution of the meeting. It was a challenge with a tremendous payoff.
At the conclusion of the Centennial Celebration, I felt (in this exact order):
- Appreciative — for all of the hard work of my colleagues on the various Centennial Committees and the CAS staff.
- Proud — that we had delivered an outstanding educational program coupled with fantastic entertainment. This feeling was affirmed by the number of emails and calls I received from fellow CAS members stating that the Centennial was the best meeting they had ever attended and offering congratulations to all involved.
- Relieved — that after more than 10 years of planning it was over!
During the event, my personal highlights included finding my name in the Rolodex in the CAS Museum (boy — we’ve come a long way!), seeing Frank Harwayne (our second oldest living member) get a standing ovation from the nearly 2,000 attendees, and watching the Centennial video. The video tugged at my heartstrings when CAS Past President Charlie Hewitt said that he was sorry he could not be at the Centennial in person (and knowing that he had passed away within days of recording his piece).
Last, but not least, I loved hearing our CAS orchestra and chorus blow the room away with their songs from the 10 decades of our existence!
Gail Ross, FCAS, is principal and consulting actuary for Milliman Inc. in New York City.
