I have the privilege this morning of providing a few thoughts to help us recognize and celebrate Terry’s career. In preparing for this I spent some time thinking about how Plante & Moran learned about Mize Houser and the CPA/MIS product. I've known Terry for a long time....... probably 19 or 19 years..... Some of you may remember a video that Mize Houser produced back in the late 80’s to begin marketing the product. I watched the video and just like it was designed to do I ran to the phone and called Mize Houser and said we need to talk... from there we set up a visit to Topeka...... that was the first time that I met Terry and the rest of the CPA/MIS team. We visited with Terry and the team for the majority of the day and I remember on the flight back from Kansas City that our CFO, our IT Director and I all had the same reaction... good software... and great people... I think that the combination is what sold us on using CPA/MIS.

As we all know some times the vendor/client relationship can be difficult... or should I say most times it can be difficult. Prior to meeting Terry and the rest of the folks at Mize Houser I had been.... as probably most of you have......, involved with numerous different user groups to manage the vendor/client relationship and to evolve the software product as the business needs change..... and I as I’m, sure you have experienced a process and relationship develop that most of the time doesn't turn out very well and in most cases turns into an us vs them type of situation. Back in 1988 when we started this group I think we envisioned something different... we were looking to create a partnership with our vendor and really work together to build something pretty special. I think we have done that....... some would say that it isn't possible... in fact over the years when I talk with other people outside of this group about what this group has been able to accomplish over the last 18 years they usually just look at me with total unbelief... or maybe better described as misunderstanding. I’m convinced that they just can't understand and so I often ask myself why that is... why can't other vendors and other user groups do what we have done here.... and although there are a number reasons... I believe that the primary reason we have benefited from this unusual relationship is because of Terry. Terry really cares about the product, about each one of us in this room and about his staff.

Over the years Terry has had vision for the software... he knows what market he is trying to serve.... when we have suggested something different Terry has calmly and professionally told us No! When we have asked him to do things that are not in the best interest of the product and his firm he has politely and professionally told us to No Way..... on the other hand I can't think of a software vendor any where that CARES more deeply about his client base. I can remember several conversations Terry and I have had over the years that went something like.... Terry saying ... you know we really appreciate your business and we will always be here to serve you as long as you choose to use our software .. however you need to do the right thing for your firm and if you decide to use another system we will be here to help you make the transition..... I have had the thought during those conversations that maybe I have been too much of a pain in the butt... and have asked Terry if he was trying to get us to switch... and of course Terry would say something like certainly not we just want you to be successful and to do the right thing… he would say something like ... we know everyone wins that way.... and I think through those conversations I really learned about how much Terry really cares about all of us.

On a personal note Terry has been my friend.... I was new to the profession 20 years ago and through the years Terry has been a great personal friend... whether its business, personal, my career, my kids, whatever, I can't even describe what a great friend Terry has been to me... I thought about this a lot in the last few weeks when I learned he was going to retire early and I don't even know what to say.... the only thing I can think of is thank you... and it really doesn't seem like enough.

Terry you have been a wonderful business associate over the years for all of in this group. I think we all would agree that we have all benefited and been blessed to have had the opportunity to work with you. We wish you all the best and on behalf of everyone here congratulations on a wonderful career and on behalf of the group I would like to extend on heartfelt thank you.