So how was your July 4? We always have a great time at my house, especially when the whole familly shows up to help out with the barbeque. Speaking of my family, at the time of this writing we are just a few days away from the delivery of my first grandchild. This is a very exciting time around our house, but enough about me.

As most of you know, there was a proposal at the April PSB meeting for Cothron's school education to be allowed by the board in lieu of the 2 years experience requirements toward one taking the manager's test and later starting a locksmith business. There has been much feedback from locksmiths across the state of Texas. There was a meeting by members of the board and three members of the locksmith community. Since that meeting Jim Hancock with Cothron's has invited members of TLA, LASA, ALNT, and GHLA to meet with them and see if some sort of compromise that can be reached. We look forward to that meeting and making recommendations on this issue that will affect all future Texas locksmith companies.

If you are in the Panhandle and West Texas area get ready for a road show in Amarillo. It will be held in late September. Keep your ear out for the exact date.

Your TLA board is working diligently to not just get ready for the 2011 TLA Convention, but in getting all the details worked out well ahead of time. This has taken much of our time, but we know it will be time well spent. We are sure that the convention in Houston this next January will be one the best ever. And just as we are getting ready, we ask that you begin making plans now to attend all education classes and support the vendors at the trade show.

Don't forget about the PSB meeting in Austin on July 9.

Billy Garrett
TLA President