looking presidency that initiated a new focus for the Association for several years to come. Her first action as President was to create a public/private task force to look at the changing nature and needs of toll agencies around the world, and in particular the growing role of the private sector in developing toll facilities. As Callahan stated, it was no longer sufficient to be ready and prepared to face the future.“We must do more.We must create the future, not merely face it,” she said in her inaugural address to the members on her election. “Our greatest challenge will be to blend the self interests of public authorities, the private partnerships and vendors,” she added. The Task Force met throughout 1997, moulding a new mission statement for the Association, examining member definitions, discussing the Association's longrange plan, and focusing on some of the most difficult issues it faced. As Callahan concluded her term as President, she reported significant progress on what would continue to be a focus by successive presidents to the end of the decade and into the new millennium. President James K. Brookshire, Jr., Executive Director, Chesapeake Bay Bridge & Tunnel District,Virginia, took the baton from Callahan and, during his presidency, in November 1998 the IBTTA formulated its first ever long-range strategic plan.As he told members attending the 1998 Annual Meeting in Houston, Texas, “This plan, when fully developed, will give us direction in the future as we address the ever–changing needs of our Association.” Meanwhile, focus remained on electronic tolling, with one of the Association's most successful ETC workshops, attracting 210 delegates and guests from 75 different organizations, being staged in June that year. Mary Jane O'Meara, Director, Tobin Memorial Bridge, Boston, Massachusetts, became the second woman to hold the office of President and led the Association in the final year of the decade. She too continued the thrust of the previous two presidents in looking to create the future, not just face it. In so doing, O’ Meara’s presidency underscored two historical strengths of the IBTTA. As she pointed out, throughout the Association's history each President built on what had been achieved by his other predecessor to navigate the challenges faced by the organisation and its members. She also highlighted another unique IBTTA strength, when compared with other trade organisations, and one which had existed right from the Association's first beginnings in 1932. “Our active facility members do not compete with each other. Consequently, we have always readily shared information, and not just about the things that were successful. Members will frankly reveal initiatives they have tried which have not been as successful as envisaged, so that others can benefit and not make the same mistakes,” O'Meara said. Celebrating 75 Years of IBTTA
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