I am Mychal Walker, and I am respectfully asking for your vote for the position of NABIP Vice President. NABIP’s leadership and I have navigated tenuous circumstances the past two years since my being elected by you, the membership of NABIP as NABIP Secretary. Entering the role of Treasurer for NABIP, the board and I met financial challenges that were unexpected. There were tough discussions and decisions that were made for the “Good of NABIP”.
The first action was to stop the ‘financial bleeding’. We were able to address that by implementing a different way of budgeting revenue and expenses. We also tried to stay current on projected expenses and income, to mitigate as much budget crushing expenses as possible. We then had to reduce the association’s fixed costs and redirect those responsibilities elsewhere.
As a result of making very hard and sometimes emotional decisions we have turned the corner financially and for the first time in several years we are able to present positive cash flow. We were able to reduce the amount of reserves required to navigate temporary negative cash flow conditions.
When I accepted the position of Treasurer, I took an oath as the NABIP membership that elected me, witnessed, that I would carry out my duties of Treasurer to the best of my abilities, I would always make decisions that were in the best interests of the membership of NABIP and I am proud to say unequivocally, that is exactly what I have done. In addition, I made a personal commitment to myself that I would leave the position of NABIP Treasurer in a better position than it was when I began my tenure as Treasurer. I can humbly say, I achieved that goal. And that is not a slight at my predecessor. My predecessor did an outstanding job given his circumstances. Each of us must try and leave each role in better conditions than it was when we began.
In representing NABIP as Treasurer, I have always represented the interests of NABIP in a professional and respectful manner, while fulfilling the obligations as required in the By-Laws and the Policy and Procedures that have been the bedrock of this association for ninety-five years (since 1930) and I look forward to continuing to do so. And this is why I am asking you to “Keep Walking with Walker!” We have come too far, to turn away now. Continuity is a key indicator of the probability of success, especially when the visual data and the financial landscape projects an upward trend.
My goals are the same as they were two years ago, when I stood on stage in New Orleans and asked for your support.
My 3 goals, that with your support and help, I believe will assist us in continuing to usher in a New Day, a New Beginning and a New Era for NABIP.
- Goal # 1– Continue to build upon the efforts of finding and implementing new streams of revenue.
- Goal # 2– Find more ways to enhance Professional Development and build upon our reputation as the preeminent resource in the delivery and financing of access to Health Care.
- Goal # 3– Raise our association’s profile and credibility in the media and the industry by utilizing technology as a tool to do so.
The reason I feel that I have the skill set to be Vice President of NABIP, my past experience makes me uniquely qualified to be Vice President. First, I served on the Board of Directors of Marta (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) for six years. While serving on the board of Marta at the behest of Gwinnett County, Georgia (Appointed Public Official), I held the position of Secretary, Treasurer and chaired the Operations and Development committee. Operations and Development made major decisions on rail and bus operations, in addition to making decisions on transit-oriented developments. Marta is the eighth-largest rapid transit system based on ridership. It has a budget of $1.3 billion, which includes capital improvements and operating expenses.
Currently, I am entering my 3rd year as the Chair of the Leadership Council for the Georgia Chapter of NFIB, National Federation of Independent Business, an advocate for small businesses that track legislation and the effects it may have on small business.
In 2022, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp appointed me to the Georgia Department of Public Health State Board of Directors. And in January of 2024, I was elected Secretary of the State Board of Public Health in Georgia, and I continue in that role.
In my leadership capacity on the Board of Health, I work directly with Dr. Kathleen Toomey, M.D., M.P.H., in an effort to expand partnerships with business for health and wellness activities.
During 2021 to 2023 I served as the Regional Vice President for region 5 and serve on the Board of Trustees of NABIP. Prior to becoming RVP, for four years, I served as chair of the PAC in region 5.
I was elected twice to serve as President of NABIP Georgia, consecutively and have chaired the Committee of Government Affairs in Georgia for the past six years. I have served many committees for NABIP, including media and Public Relations, Medicare, Long Term Care and Finance.
