August 2025 Issue - JASAN-Annual Meeting/NLC Recap

We had a very nice time at the JASAN Annual Meeting and NLC in Cleveland. On Monday evening, we got to mix and mingle with the JA professional staff at their reception which was held at the Roll & Hall of Fame. Then, on Tuesday, several us made a visit to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton.

On Wednesday evening we gathered for an intimate dinner and to celebrate Jim Hemak as the newest Laureate of the JA Professional Staff Hall of Fame. JASAN Members Frank Evans and Jack Kosakowski along with JA USA CEO Jack Harris shared their thoughts and memories of Jim and his career. A special thanks goes to Christy Kunz who chairs this important award process for JASAN.

Then, on Thursday morning, we had a wonderful breakfast with the 30 recipients of the JASAN/Achievement Foundation NLC Scholarship. During lunch, we presented the Professional Staff Hall of Fame award to Jim Hemak in front of 300+ JA and JASAN delegates.

During our business meeting, on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, we accepted the approved nomination of the JASAN Executive Committee, the 2025-26 Operating Budget, and we discussed the Program of Work for the upcoming year.

We wrapped-up our business meeting reflecting on our JASAN members who had passed away this year.

Culminating the 2025 NLC was the Celebration Dinner at which the Flemke Award was presented to Jennifer Hegleson of JA of Kentuckiana (Louisville). The Flemke Award is sponsored by the JA Staff Alumni Network.

Following the Flemke presentation, the coveted Hook Award was presented to Larry Washington of JA of Greater New Orleans. Larry’s remarks reflected on the importance of the mentoring he received from Jerry Mutchler, Rick Franke, and Howard Bartner, all JASAN members, thanking them for their support and influence.

Mark your calendars for next July as we’ll gather for the 2026 JASAN Annual Meeting and JA NLC in Salt Lake City!

Please visit our website and subscribe to our Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube pages to stay informed and updated on JASAN’s work!

Thank you! It’s because of your generous support that have the opportunity to support JA’s mission.

If you’d like to see the JA NLC photo gallery, you can find it at this link:

https://wetzlerstudios.pixieset.com/juniorachievement2025leadershipconference

Dennis Chair, JASAN

gilfoyle@comcast.net