As I start my last column as the Administrator of the Spanish Language Division, I experience mixed emotions of pride and nostalgia. Unfortunately, my time leading the SPD is coming to an end. It is indeed hard to believe that nearly two years have passed since I had the true honor of serving as an elected SPD Administrator.

My feelings of pride arise from all our accomplishments during the past two years. As I review the goals I set, and the promises I made to you two years ago, I am proud to say that, through the committed efforts of the whole SPD administration team, we were able to meet ALL of them. We listened to you from Day 1. We launched a brand-new, dynamic, user-friendly, and easy-to-navigate website for the SPD, with a simple content management system capable of regular updates. Thus, the SPD is now part of the social media stratosphere, with a presence on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. A special thanks goes out to Silvia Goldstein, Chair of the Digital and Social Media Committee, who—through her amazing hard work and dedication—made sure that valuable information about our profession was shared on a continual basis. Intercambios—our respected, in-depth, peer-reviewed publication offering articles on all aspects of Spanish<>English translation, written by and for Spanish<>English translation professionals— is now available in two versions: Intercambios (in PDF format) and Intercambios Online. The latter version features articles in a blog format that can be easily shared and commented upon online, not to mention the great visibility it provides the SPD and the authors.

In the spring of 2012 in Orlando, we held a very successful Mid-Year Conference jointly with the Interpreters
Division, thanks to the hard work of everyone involved, the great presenters and especially ALL OF YOU for your support and for challenging us to put a great educational event together.

As anyone in a leadership position will tell you, leaders and their decisions are only as good as the people that surround them. I have had the good fortune to work with a talented group of people who are truly committed to the shortand long-term success of the Spanish Language Division. I’ve already mentioned Silvia Goldstein, but I would be remiss without thanking many others who have made me look good. Over the last two years we have achieved a lot together, and those accomplishments would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of Claudia Verrua, Thelma Ferry, Milly Suazo-Martinez, Fran Samuel, Pilar Saslow, Martha Palacios, Virginia Pérez-Santalla, and Silvia Gómez, the volunteers who participated in our committees and provided their support in carrying out our various activities. But I would like to especially thank Charo Welle, my tireless and dedicated Assistant Administrator, whose passion, energy, hard work, and love for the SPD I shall always be grateful for, and Graciela Isaía y Ruiz, the outgoing Intercambios Editor and Chair of the Editorial Committee, who headed Intercambios for almost three years, raising the standards by working many long, hard hours making sure the issues of Intercambios were flawlessly handled and delivered on time—ALL the time.

In dealing with the SPD’s commendable triumphs or its critical challenges, I have truly enjoyed the process and been honored to have been a part of it all. Again, I want to express my sincere gratitude to all of you who believed in me and worked with me. I leave with great memories from the last two years and the hope that the incoming Administrator, Fran Samuel, and Assistant Administrator, Helen Eby, will successfully move forward with what we have done to support and encourage our members, while positively growing the recognition of the Spanish Language Division and the American Translators Association.

¡Hasta luego!

Marcela Jenney-Reyes
SPD Administrator 2010-2012