Bud then requested that Past President Marianne Finney (State Farm SIU [retired]) lead the members in the pledge of allegiance.

Bud then introduced the 2007 Southern Chapter Officers who were in attendance:

Rick Greenwood, Vice President, Riverside Police
Jim Williams, Secretary, Long Beach Police
Dave Petrelli, Sergeant-at-Arms, Farmers Insurance
John Bartolone, Treasurer, DMV Investigations
Richard O. Knapp, Legal Counsel, Knapp & Spurlock, LLP
Steve Torres, Immediate Past President, DMV Investigations [retired]
 
Bud then introduced the Southern Chapter Past Presidents in attendance: Skip Davidson (1991), Ted Saraf (1992), Marianne Finney (1993), Dave Dempsey (1998), Gary Labb (2000), Bill Lovold (2001), Frank Graber (2005), and the newest Past President, Steve Torres (2006).

Bud then had the members in attendance do self introductions.  It was great to see the great turnout of people who traveled in from Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, and San Diego Counties.  Welcome to several new Investigators joining us, Fred Langley (CHP / RAID) and Matt Mozingo (Murrieta PD / RAID), as well as several people we had not seen in awhile, Johnny Miyasaki  (Long Beach PD) and Chip Morin (Progressive Insurance SIU).

Bud then spoke about the 2007 WSATI Training Seminar taking place in San Diego in September 2007.  He then advised the attendees that immediately following the Southern Chapter meeting would be a Seminar Committee meeting if anyone wished to attend.

Bud then introduced the guest speaker, Skip Showalter (Riverside PD), Jeff Higbee (Ontario PD), and Richard Steele (BAR), all members of the Drag-net Team.  Their presentation on Street Racers was well received by the attendees.

Bud then asked attendees if they had anything they'd like to share with the others.  Vic Johnston (LoJack) talked about the increase in recoveries in Mexico.  Dave Dempsey (AAA SIU) spoke about a new tracking system similar to On-Star, BMW Assist, that is now part of BMW's new car package.

Bud Hood presided over the WSATI raffle. 

Jim Williams announced that the next meeting would be on May 17, 2007 at the Lakewood Country Club in Lakewood. 

Jim also advised that new WSATI Southern Chapter T-shirts were available with the new Southern Chapter Logo.

Bud then announced that lunch was ready and invited those attending to get in line to get their bar-b-q and then to find seats at available tables. 

The attendees were then served a Santa Maria style barbecue held just outside the auditorium.  The barbecue was put together by our own Southern Chapter Vice President Rick Greenwood.  Barbecued tri-tip, chicken, baked beans, rolls, two salads and dessert were on Rick's menu.  If you went away hungry it's your own fault!  Rick did a fine job of preparing the barbecue lunch. 

After the meeting, people interested in helping put together the 2007 WSATI Training Seminar got together to discuss committees and what was needed.  Attending the meeting were Bud Hood, John Bartolone, Rick Greenwood, Steve Torres, Jim Williams, Ira Beaty, Martha Jones-Joseph, Geri Gary, Marianne Finney, Dave Petrelli, Vic Johnston, Skip Davidson, Frank Graber, Jim Hayes, and Gary Labb.  We are seeking more people to be involved in all aspects of the Seminar.  Some of the committees are Training and Educational Committee; Publicity, Marketing, and Public Relations Committee; Finance Committee; Exhibits Committee; Registration Committee; and Local Entertainment, Amusement, Sightseeing, and Companion Program Committee.  If someone wants to help put together a golf tournament in conjunction with the Seminar, we would like to have you involved.  All these committees can use additional people.  If you have an interest, please contact Bud.  The next scheduled Seminar planning meeting will be on Thursday, April 19, 2007.