As we welcome a new one, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on our achievements and look forward to the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.

First and foremost, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence throughout the past year. Together, we have achieved remarkable milestones and set new benchmarks for success within AAMVA, our agencies and our industry.

It has been a tremendous honor to have already visited seven states and Canada in my role as chair. Our conversations and jurisdictional efforts are tools that will transform our customer service from good to great.  As we embark on the journey into the new year, it’s essential for us to reaffirm our core values of keeping our motoring public safe and their data secure. From welcoming new drivers and enhancing our licensing functions to ensuring the proper titling of vehicles and strengthening our roadside enforcement measures, these initiatives play a crucial role in our collective pursuit of excellence and set the stage for an even more prosperous year ahead.

Safety is not just a policy, it is a shared responsibility that we must work together to enhance in our offices, on the road and when interacting with customers. Our newest working group will tackle the latest safety and security issue, cyber fraud, which plagues many agencies. Criminals are seeking to take advantage of online options that were created for customer convenience. It is my goal to work with you and other stakeholders to combat this issue.

I encourage you to pay close attention to the information on preventing vehicle fraud with NMVTIS and DLDV in this issue. These systems have produced remarkable results. Another topic that is a critical aspect of maintaining the overall security of individuals and organizations is securing physical credentials.  As we embrace the challenges and opportunities of the new year, let’s continue to prioritize safety in every action we take.

In the coming months, we have exciting plans on the horizon. We are forging ahead with a vision for interstate electronic titling. Next year, we plan to publish the AAMVA blueprint guide for jurisdictions and industry stakeholders as we move toward an ecosystem built on interoperability and open access.

I welcome you to bring your ideas, suggestions and concerns to the forefront as we work together to make safety an integral part of our daily operations. Our collective vigilance and commitment to best practices will not only safeguard us but will also reinforce our position as an industry leader.

Thank you once again for your outstanding contributions in the past year! Let us march into the new year with renewed enthusiasm, a strong commitment to safety and the confidence that the best is yet to come.