Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is now early October and I’d like to update you on some information regarding the Western Regional Chapter. As of today, 10/7/08,  we have 821 current IAATI WRC members, with 347 of them signed up for the "Members Only" section.

I was unable to attend the 2008 Colorado Auto Theft Investigators Seminar in Colorado Springs due to a previous instructing commitment,  but was advised that it was very well attended and successful.

I was able to attend the 2008 WSATI Training Seminar in Monterey hosted by the WSATI Central Chapter. This was also well attended by people  representing all the WSATI Chapters, AATIA, CATI, and also included 2008-2009 IAATI 1st Vice President Henry Brune and 3rd Vice President  Joe Brosius in attendance. The keynote speaker during opening ceremonies was CHP Commissioner Joseph Farrow. The seminar had some outstanding training available and some great instructors (Henry was also instructing, it wasn't all pleasure). I would like to congratulate the WSATI Central Chapter for a very enjoyable and rewarding Seminar, especially Central Chapter President Tom Shepard and Treasurer Pat O'Donnell. For full information and photos of this Seminar please go to http://www.wsati.org/2008conference.html.

There were several awards presented at the Seminar.

The IAATI WRC 2008 Lee S. Cole Officer of the Year Award was presented by Lisa Hanks of Lee S. Cole & Associates and 2008 IAATI WRC President  Skip Davidson to Yuma Police Department Detective Melissa Norred. For more on the award and photos, please go to http://www.wsati.org/leecoleaward.html.  Next year's award will be presented at the AATIA Training Seminar.

The WSATI Northwest Chapter/IAATI WRC 2008 Gerald "Jerry" Boyer Memorial Award was presented by WSATI Northwest President Frank Zangar to  California State Automobile Association Special Investigations Unit Manager Anthony "Tony" Corroo. For more on the award and photos,  please go to http://www.wsati.org/boyeraward.html.

The WSATI Northern Chapter/NICB 2008 Gary Gray Auto Theft Achievement Award was presented by NICB Special Agent Ken Hutchison, NICB Area  3 Director Ralph Lumpkin, and NICB Area 3 Director Bob Jones to two recipients; Deputy District Attorney Margaret Bevan, San Bernardino  County District Attorneys Office and Constable Scott Cooke, RCMP IMPACT. For more on the award and photos, please go to  http://www.wsati.org/garygrayaward.html.

IAATI also presented the IAATI/NICB Award of Excellence. NICB Area 3 Director Ralph Lumpkin presented the award to the San Diego County Regional Auto Theft Taskforce (RATT). A photo of the presentation to CHP Captain Lisa Wrobel, RATT Commander, is available at  http://www.wrciaati.org/Pix.asp.

IAATI WRC 3rd VP Jim Kautz, who is working with other members of CATI on the 2009 IAATI Training Seminar in the Denver, Colorado area,  spoke at the WSATI Training Seminar. The dates are set at August 9-14, 2009. The Seminar will be held at the Westin Westminster, in  Westminster, Colorado. Jim and the on-site committee are already making preparations for companion programs, side trips, and sporting  events. Jim said there will be plenty to do as he found out from the chamber of commerce that the Denver area is the #4 most sought  out convention location in the United States. If you have any ideas or comments, please contact Jim Kautz at jkautz@wrciaati.org.

The IAATI WRC General Meeting and Elections were held at the WSATI Training Seminar in Monterey. 2008-2009 IAATI 1st Vice President  Henry Brune and 2008-2009 3rd Vice President Joe Brosius attended the meeting. The result of the elections of the 2009 IAATI WRC  Executive Board: President Rick Greenwood, Riverside PD; 1st Vice President J.D. Hough, Arizona DPS; 2nd Vice President Jim Kautz,  Westminster (CO) PD, 3rd Vice President Frank Graber, Fullerton PD/OCATT (Retired); and 4th Vice President/Treasurer Bud Hood,  Remington-Elsag. Next year's General Meeting and Elections will be held at the AATIA Training Seminar.

For a complete listing of the Western Regional Chapter Executive Board, Directors, and Advisers, please go to the IAATI WRC Officers  link at http://www.wrciaati.org/officers.asp. We still have several Director positions open. Please take a look at the Officers  page to see if there is a Director opening in your area. If you have a desire to become a Director, please contact the Executive Board  at eboard@wrciaati.org.

Upcoming Training in the Western Regional Chapter:

2009 Annual IAATI Training Seminar will be hosted by CATI and IAATI WRC in Westminster, CO. It will be at the Westin Westminster and  will take place August 9-14, 2009.

2009 Annual WSATI Training Seminar will be hosted by the WSATI Northern Chapter in South Lake Tahoe, NV. It will be at the Harrah's  Lake Tahoe and will take place October 5-7, 2009. For the most current information, please go to http://www.wsati.org/2009conference.html.

So far I've only been given updates for the two Training Seminars listed above which will be occurring in the Western Regional Chapter  in 2009. I know there will be many more. If your Association is presenting training in the Western Regional Chapter in 2009, let us  know and we'll post it so other members can obtain valuable training. Please try to attend some training in your area. This is the  only way we can try to keep up with or get ahead of the auto thieves.

In closing, I just wish to say it is important that we continue to communicate with one another. If you have not signed up for the  “Member’s Only” section of IAATI, please think about doing so. It allows IAATI and IAATI WRC to send you email messages, including  the IAATI e-news, important membership announcements, and “news items” of importance to the membership. We want to continue pushing  forward in the Western Regional Chapter. If any of you have any ideas or suggestions, please contact the Executive Board at eboard@wrciaati.org.

Sincerely,
Gary Labb
2007 Western Regional Chapter Immediate Past President

Click Here to view the Past President's November 29, 2008 Message

Click Here to view the President's October 7, 2008 Message

Click Here to view the Past President's September 8, 2008 Message

Click Here to view the President's July 1, 2008 Message