Shari Bedker – Our Gratitude and Farewell
Melissa S . Kibler , Accordion Immediate Past Chair , American College of Bankruptcy
This summer , Shari Bedker will be retiring after 28 years with the College , 16 as its Executive Director . We – as fellows and as an institution – will miss her greatly .
Shari has truly been the backbone of the College , and it is hard to imagine managing this association without her . But in trademark form , Shari put in place comprehensive transition plans that included identifying her very capable replacement , CC Schnapp , and training her as a part-time staff member over the past two years . CC will be supported by Jenny Cudahy and the rest of the team , so we know that we won ’ t miss a beat at the College and Foundation . ( And just to make sure , Shari will continue to play a contract role to support our finance and accounting needs , and of course will be there to answer any questions .)
Few of us knew her experienced background . Shari has a bachelor ’ s degree in accounting and a master ’ s degree in taxation , both from George Mason University . She is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the Commonwealth of Virginia . Out of college , Shari worked as a budget analyst and operating accountant for the General Services Agency , the National Archives , and the Office of Naval Research .
Shari joined Armstrong & Associates ( A & A ), the College ’ s management company , in 1996 and became the Executive Director on May 1 , 2008 . While we like to think that the
College is her favorite , Shari and her team also provide essential administrative support for the National Bankruptcy Conference ( NBC ), the International Insolvency Institute ( III ), the International Women ’ s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation ( IWIRC ) and the Federal Magistrate Judges Association .
Recall that the College was founded in 1989 . This means that Shari has been part of the fabric of our institution for the vast majority of its existence . There is little that the College and Foundation have done that we can ’ t credit Shari with supporting .
When we take a “ look back ,” we remember that there were 201 fellows in the College in 1996 . Since then , Shari has overseen the induction of 924 fellows in 28 classes . Few fellows today have not been welcomed to the College by Shari , and all have been the beneficiaries of the care , diligence and good humor with which she has supported us as fellows .
Shari has worked with 13 Chairs and countless volunteer leaders . She and her staff adapt to continually changing leadership styles and priorities and put up with our crazy day jobs that don ’ t always align with our volunteer commitments . We as fellows rely on the staff for a great deal . They show incredible patience and somehow always make sure things get done , and do so with grace , humility and a smile .
Shari has planned many annual meetings in DC , as well as going “ off campus ” to San Diego , Denver and Indianapolis and , of course , our annual luncheons at NCBJ . She has hobnobbed with the titans of industry and welcomed 114 distinguished students .
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