CEO's Message—Third Quarter 2022 | Challenges: Is What It’s All About

Challenges: Is What It’s All About

 

Parnell Black, MBA, CPA, CVA

NACVA just wrapped up its 30th annual conference, celebrating 31 years serving the business valuation and financial forensic communities. Once again, from all reports, it was a resounding success. Three decades ago it was hard to imagine what we would look like today. We have faced many challenges along the way. One of our greatest challenges, as many of you might assume, was in 2020 when, due to COVID-19, our lives were turned upside-down. But the challenges of all kinds were there before and they continue today. There was a time in my life when I would say to myself, just give it five more years, things will smooth out, get easier, and I will have more time to travel, golf, take up a hobby, etc. Then five years later, I would say the same thing and five years after that, I would say it again. This has been going on for nearly 20 years, bringing me to the realization that I thrive on challenges and most of the time, bring them upon myself. Challenges keep me energized, youthful, my mind sharp, and they give me purpose. Let’s face it, life is a lot more exciting when every day is a challenge and to rise above, leads to a feeling of accomplishment. For me, pushing my limits is what it is all about. Certainly, great athletes understand this, as do industry titans, and as do the many great business leaders right here under the NACVA umbrella. I am proud to be in the presence of so many great people and honored to be the CEO of such an incredible organization.

There are hundreds of fantastic members who support us in many ways, volunteering their time to one or more of our many teams, boards, and committees. In the interest of brevity, I will not list them here, but be assured, without them we would have nothing, we would be nothing. When COVID-19 tanked our economy, I feared for the worst but that is not the only time I have had similar fears/feelings, which in hindsight, always come about at critical junctures in our life cycle. What I have come to count on to pull us forward is our members, who time and again come through for me. I feel blessed and realize more than ever before that NACVA is special, we are unique among the world of associations. Here, people truly care about their brethren and they care about our organization. I believe the COVID-19 crisis was a wake-up call for many people that life can be precarious and we are not always in control; there are many hurdles on one’s path that can turn your life upside-down, sometimes brought upon by external factors, but often brought upon by ourselves. In all cases, they present challenges which we must rise above, forge ahead, giving every day everything you got. But along the way, you must never underappreciate those who make your success possible—family, friends, associates, and people with a common purpose. NACVA offers all of that to its membership.

I cannot say all this without also acknowledging the incredible staff at HQ; they have been super stars, each rising to the occasion when called upon, working as a team to keep us moving forward. Here is our staff https://www.nacva.com/hqdirectory so you can see who I am talking about. And when you talk to any of them in your dealings with HQ and they demonstrate just how much they care, nothing brings more satisfaction to my team (and me) than when a member reaches out to express special appreciation. Because we appreciate you.

Thank you, I hope to be hearing from you.

Parnell Black, MBA, CPA, CVA
Chief Executive Officer, NACVA