Martin has dedicated his career to helping aid administrators do their job and do it well. In his role as NASFAA president for the past 32 years, and over his more than 39 years in the field, Martin has provided the financial aid profession and the association with exceptional leadership.

Martin was a pioneer in leading the fight to improve access and choice and in making educational opportunities a reality for any student who wants a postsecondary education. He also helped lead NASFAA in providing training and professional development opportunities for generations of financial aid administrators, helping to raise the entire profession. Millions of students and former students have Martin to thank for their college education.

The NASFAA Board, the staff and the entire financial aid community will miss Martin's steadfastness, humanity, and leadership.

June 29, 2007

Dear NASFAA Friend:

Wednesday afternoon, Dallas Martin notified me officially of his intention to retire as president of NASFAA effective December 15, 2007.

Dallas has dedicated 39 years of his life to helping students achieve their higher education goals; 32 of those years have been at NASFAA's helm. His has been the constant voice of reason when legislation and regulations endangered equity and choice in student aid. At times when differing opinions threatened to divide the association, he reminded us that we are all working toward the common goal of opening doors of educational opportunity, and that our strength is in our unity. He has never wavered in his devotion to creating access and choice in higher education for all students.

Dallas has long planned to retire during 2007, but he still has mixed feelings about leaving the association and its members. "Opening doors of educational opportunity for all qualified individuals is the most honorable goal that anyone could represent," he wrote in his retirement letter.

'In spite of the traumas our members have endured over the past several months, I know that they are the most honest, ethical, caring, and dedicated group of individuals that I have ever worked with. It has been my honor to represent them," he continued.

Although Dallas told me of his plans to retire before I became National Chair last year, I too have mixed feelings at the news. Over the years, we have all come to rely on Dallas' leadership and judgment. ED's former Chief Operating Officer Greg Woods once said, "Dallas personifies the best of the profession - a visionary leader, an astute business partner, and a man passionately committed to helping students succeed." He has given the association three decades of unparalleled service, and on both a personal and professional level, he will be deeply missed.

Yet, Dallas has served NASFAA for half his life, so I know that however much we might want him to remain our leader, he richly deserves to retire and spend time with his mother, and his wife and best friend Jill, as they watch the next generation of Martins grow up and enjoy the benefits of higher education.

Mixed feelings aside, one feeling rises above all of the others as I write this, and that is gratitude. I am grateful to have been able to serve with Dallas Martin, grateful to have been able to learn from his leadership, and grateful that through his efforts, millions of students have been able to successfully complete their higher educations and millions more will in the years to come. That is the legacy Dallas Martin will leave upon his retirement in December.

This year I charged the Association Governance Committee with the task of reviewing and updating the NASFAA CEO Transition Plan. I am happy to report to you that David Gelinas took this charge to heart. Over the course of this year, AGMC has diligently and thoughtfully reviewed, revised, crafted and shaped a comprehensive plan that will help NASFAA not only continue but prosper. You will be updated at the NASFAA Conference in July regarding our CEO Transition process and proposed time line. In short, we will do everything in our power to facilitate a CEO transition process that causes the least disruption possible for NASFAA staff, NASFAA members, and NASFAA Services.

This year has not been without its share of road bumps, I have appreciated each of you and your words of support and encouragement for Dr. Martin and me. I remind you once again, it truly is all about the students. And that my friends, is what makes America great!

Best wishes for a safe 4th of July holiday. I look forward to sharing time with many of you in Washington, D.C. very soon. Safe travels.

My best,

Janet Dodson
NASFAA Chair, 2006-07

Posted 06/29/07 to www.NASFAA.org. Redistribution to non-NASFAA institutions is prohibited. Please submit Web Site questions or comments to Web@NASFAA.org.