PHOTOGRAPHY AND STYLING BY ECHO STARMAKER.

I WAS RECENTLY ASKED to share my“ walk-up song”— you know, the song you’ d play walking out on stage( which, for those who know me well, will never happen). I chose Oh, What a Night! by Frankie Valli. I was born in“ late December back in’ 63,” and that song just makes me happy.

As Kenneth’ s column and the overview of the Board’ s 2025 activities remind us, our association has achieved tremendous success this year. We’ ve also faced profound losses. Storms, fires, accidents and death. The sudden passing of my sweet mother in January is something I’ ll never fully get over. How I made it through Conference is still a mystery( and a bit of a blur), but the ISPA community never wavers. The resilience and passion our members show daily— serving guests and advancing an industry— continue to motivate and inspire me.

Think about your walk-up song and what makes you happy. Play it every day to ensure we start out dancing! The first time I saw one of my favorite musicals— Jersey Boys— was in New York with our dear friend Sharilyn Abbajay, who we also lost this year. Every time I hear Oh, What a Night!, I will also think of her and smile. Through the sadness of missing someone, the comforting memories get stronger.

This may indeed have been my greatest year of change— but also one filled with immense gratitude and faith. Thank you for all the support— and the hugs. Cheers to 2026!

With our precious fur babies Colter Bay and Moose Wyoming McNees.

LYNNE MCNEES, ISPA PRESIDENT

PULSE n DECEMBER 2025 / JANUARY 2026 64

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LYNNE WALKER McNEES