While it may feel like the spring has passed by many of us already, it hasn't even begun yet. Not only does that mean we still have three months to go until the summer, it also means you still have time to register and make plans to attend the 2012 TMA Spring Conference, April 3-5 at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead.

Register by the end of today to meet the deadline for inclusion in the pre-conference registration list. Being included in this valuable resource will help you get the most out of the excellent networking opportunities awaiting you in Atlanta.

The TMA Board of Trustees will consider amendments to the TMA Bylaws at its meeting in Atlanta on April 3.

The proposed changes basically do two things:

1. Change the title of the TMA Executive Director to Chief Executive Officer
2. Make changes to the Certification Oversight Committee (COC)

Highlights of the COC changes: 

• Full integration of the Certified Turnaround Professional (CTP) program into TMA while providing the COC the responsibility for setting the annual CTP renewal/application fees, setting the standards for CTP designees, and the marketing/promotion of the CTP
• Annual renewal and application fees will be segregated to the CTP program
• The COC, through the regular TMA budget process, will use these fees to support its activities
• Creation of a "Board Designated Fund" to offset any COC program deficits and also allow the program to bank any surplus for future use. The fund expires at the end of FY 2020
• All education and testing responsibilities fall to the TMA Education Program
• Removal of the COC "disassociation" provision
• The CTP designation will be TMA's highest and premier designation
• An affirmative vote of 2/3 of the TMA Board of Trustees is required to discontinue the CTP program

Interested members may view the proposed changes.

The 4th Annual TMA Western Regional Conference, hosted by the Arizona, Northern California, Southern California, and Rocky Mountain chapters, is taking place July 11-13 at Fess Parker's Resort in Santa Barbara, California. For complete information, including hotel and conference registration, visit the conference Web site.

Entries for the 2012 Butler-Cooley Excellence in Teaching Award are being accepted through May 1. The award will be presented to two K-12 teachers at the 2012 TMA Annual Convention, November 1-3 in Boston.
 
Learn more about the award, entry guidelines and instructions, and summaries of previous winners.

TMA's Journal of Corporate Renewal will soon be available in a new digital format and as an app. Starting in May, you'll be able to read the entire Journal on your desktop or laptop as well as on your tablet device. Stay tuned for more information about this exciting new resource in the coming months.

Have an open position to fill? Post your job opportunity in the TMA Career Center to find the most qualified candidates. TMA members save $100 with each posting. Visit the Career Center today to get started.

• Benihana Inc. Announced It Has Engaged Jefferies & Co., Inc. as Financial Advisor (more)
• Sterling Expands Government Contractor Finance Group (more)
• Cole Taylor Business Capital Supports a Column and Post Manufacturer with an $8 Million Refinance Facility (more)
• American Apparel, Inc. Replaces Revolving Credit Facility and Amends and Extends Maturity of its Second Lien Loan; Crystal Financial LLC Administrative Agent (more)

View additional member deals and transactions.

To share your organization's news, e-mail us a link to a press release or page on your company's Web site. Approriate articles will be mentioned in this newsletter and on the TMA Web site.