Dare we learn from history? An Anniversary Blog on ACT-IAC

With the 35^th anniversary of ACT and the 25^th anniversary of IAC being celebrated next month, I thought members of each organization would be intrigued in the antecedents of the organization. As the de facto historian for ACT-IAC, I will be jotting my hindsights on both organizations rooted on my personal knowledge and experiences form the early days. Hopefully, this will provide some perspective on where we have been as an organization, and on where we might be going in the future.

I hope that members, both government and industry, will find some interest in this.

“De facto historian” – I lay claim to that title based on my long-time participation in both organizations. I attended my first ACT event – although it was then called the Federation of Government Information Processing Councils, or FGIPC, which was pronounced “Fuh-Gypsy “- in 1987, the Management of Change conference in Dallas, Texas. I was inspired by the event and the mission, and became a regular attendee thereafter. In 1988, I joined FGIPC as a lifetime member. I was member number 124. The only remaining life member in our community that I am aware of is Izzy Feldman, who I will talk about in later blogs. I also was author and co-editor of the ACT-IAC brochure created for the 2009 30/20 Anniversary, and author and editor of “Twenty Years of Partnership”, a book about the Executive Leadership Conference.

When FGIPC elected to form an industry consortium in 1988, I was involved, in terms of supporting the concept, and commenting on the charter. I became a participant in the inaugural IAC meetings, ultimately cajoling my company to join in 1990.

I attended the first Executive Leadership Conference in 1991 in Charlottesville, and all since. I was appointed to the IAC Executive committee to fill a vacancy in 1994, and elected to that committee for four consecutive terms, serving through 2004.

And so I lay claim to the designation of Historian. But this blog is NOT going to be about me. It will delve into the why’s, what’s, how’s, and who’s of ACT-IAC over my 27 years of engagement. I hope some find it interesting, enlightening, and engaging.

Please feel free to add your own remarks and memories, insights and conclusions