It has been five months since our annual ARPAS meeting in Florida, and the new year will soon be here. It is time to review activities and look toward the future.

I thank our Executive Vice President Kenneth Cummings, who provides leadership to keep us on track and to make sure that ARPAS accomplishes goals. I also thank Kelsey Grant, executive secretary, and FASS for assistance with many activities. We appreciate all current and new members on standing committees. Contributions of members allow certification, strengthening and promotion of the animal science profession, and assistance for members to continue professional development.

We are pleased about innovative changes that will occur with The Professional Animal Scientist. After a year of evaluating and planning, Elsevier was selected to be the publisher of PAS commencing in 2016. Wayne Kellogg, Susan Pollack of FASS, and the governing council determined that this new partnership will enhance our mission. Review and preparation of manuscripts will continue as in recent years by our editorial team of Wayne Kellogg, Stacey Gunter, and Andy Cole working with the editorial board. After preparation of the manuscripts, Elsevier will publish PAS and make PAS available to new audiences to increase exposure and the number of readers. Marketing of PAS by Elsevier should increase the number of manuscripts submitted and published, enhance the value of PAS to members, increase membership in ARPAS, and decrease our cost of production of the journal.

We look forward to an informative ARPAS Symposium at the Joint Annual Meeting of ADSA and ASAS in Utah in July. The symposium, planned by Jeff DeFrain and the committee, will address impacts of inflammation on animals and effects on performance. Manuscripts prepared by presenters at the 2015 ARPAS Symposium on “Reproductive Efficiency of Beef Cows” will be published in the February and April issues of PAS.

ARPAS chapters are active and offer members opportunities to participate in regional events. During the past year a new South Central Chapter was established. Chapters meetings update members and students on animal science and issues and give them the opportunity to network with members of the animal industries.

Supporting, maintaining, and growing membership is a goal of ARPAS. Remember to renew your membership for 2016 and update your CEUs. Members with an MS or PhD should consider board certification to enhance their credentials. With increased emphasis on animal welfare, certification increases recognition for training and experience. Requirements to reinstate lapsed membership are easy. Submit a reinstatement form, dues for 2016, a $20 reinstatement fee, and 16 CEUs for meetings attended in 2014 and 2015.

I appreciate the opportunity to serve as president of ARPAS. Please feel free to give me your suggestions and ideas of how ARPAS membership and activities might be altered to enhance your job and career. I can be reached at bob.wettemann@okstate.edu.

Best Wishes for a Happy and Productive New Year