Archives: President Messages

Dear Fellow ICRI-FWC Members,

It is an honor to be elected as President of the Florida West Coast Chapter of ICRI for 2025! My goal is to build upon the successful year we had in 2024, a year in which, despite the devastating effects of several hurricanes, our events consistently exceeded attendance expectations and we gained many new members. This success was made possible by the hard work of the previous Board and the leadership of outgoing President Vince Barnes.

While the dedication of the previous Board played a crucial role in this success, none of it would have been possible without the continued support of our members. I would like to take this opportunity to thank each of you for your ongoing commitment and for placing your trust in me to guide and grow our chapter.

Please join me in welcoming our newly elected Board members and thanking them for volunteering their time and expertise to help build our chapter. Our newly elected Board members are:

• Alan Siscoe: Vice President
• Justin Burrows: Director
• Anders Carey: Director
• John Shores: Director

As we begin the 2025 year, I invite all current members to join us in building upon the successes of the past year. Our chapter’s survival and growth rely on your sponsorship, attendance, and active participation. We have been fortunate to cultivate a strong community that continues to drive us forward.

Please continue to invite others to attend our events and support our new partnership with St Pete College. Together, let’s work towards the continued growth and success of the Florida West Coast Chapter of ICRI!

If you are interested in becoming more involved or have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. I am looking forward to serving as your President in 2025.

Sincerely,
Michael Batz
President, ICRI Florida West Coast Chapter

As this year comes to a close, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of our members for their time, dedication, and support throughout 2024. Together, we’ve achieved much, from successful events like Demo Day (special thanks to CPS), technical meetings, and the always-enjoyable Cigar Social (thank you, Steve Raleigh).

This September and October, our community faced unprecedented challenges as two major storms devastated our area. The rebuilding efforts have been extraordinary, and I am inspired by the resilience shown by so many.

Given these challenges, the FWC Board has decided to postpone any additional events until next year. I fully support this decision, as it allows us all the chance to rest and recharge for what promises to be an exciting 2025.

Looking ahead, we are thrilled to announce that the rescheduled 9th Annual Sporting Clays event will take place on Thursday, January 30, 2025. This is the perfect way to kick off the year with energy and camaraderie. Following the event, we’ll host an afternoon gathering with libations at a local watering hole in Lutz—a great opportunity to reconnect and celebrate.

Details for both events will soon be available on our website, so stay tuned. Thank you all again for being an integral part of our community, and here’s to a safe, happy, and restorative holiday season!

Warm regards,

J. Vincent Barnes III