b'YOUR ACADEMY AT WORKCandidate for secretary/treasurerMy Fellow Academy Members,My name is Richard J. Nagy, and it is an honor to have been nominated by the AAP Officer Nominating Committee to run for Secretary/Treasurer of the American Academy of Periodontology. I am enthusiastically pursuing this position due to both my devotion Dr. Richard J. Nagy and future concerns for our profession. In addition, I feel that as an experienced leader and strategic thinker I can be helpful in shaping the future of our profession by understanding the changing landscape of practicing periodontists today which includes both challenges and rewards. With more than thirty years in dentistry, I have seen shifts in periodontal practice models. I have personally been a private practice owner for over twenty years, associate, traveling periodontist, and periodontal educator currently serving as a postgraduate periodontics program director. In answering the following questions, it is my hope that you will gain an understanding of who I am as a person, my leadership qualifications, and my vision for the future of our specialty.Why be an AAP member?This may seem like a basic question, but the answer could be different depending on your age. Those born between 1946 and 1964, the Baby Boomers, may answer that it is the right and expected thing to do and they would not question why they should be a member.Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z all born after 1965 will want to know the value of being a member of the AAP. As the boomer periodontists retire, it becomes the responsibility of the younger periodontists to uphold the specialty of periodontics as well as to become leaders to carry forth the Academys mission: To champion member success and professional partnerships for optimal health and quality of life.While the mission transcends generations, the way we communicate with members may have generational differences. It is my hope and vision that as the AAP moves forward, the early career periodontists will be engaged, and their voices heard so that the Academy can adapt and be meaningful to these contemporary colleagues. In doing so the Academy will need to modify communication styles and leadership involvement opportunities. Furthermore, a vehicle for quick communication is needed such as an AAP smartphone app to alert and inform members on advocacy issues and allow access to all AAP programs, services, and resources as well as being an avenue to communicate and engage with other colleagues and AAP staff/leadership.12'