TEI Confers Distinguished Service Award to Deborah K. Gaffney

Deborah joined the Institute’s staff in March 1985. As the Institute’s very first Director of Conference Planning, Deborah professionalized TEI’s approach to planning events, traveled extensively for TEI, and personally ensured that TEI’s conference, seminars, courses, and meetings were organized, hospitable, and effective. She built strong relationships with hotels, conference centers, and other vendors, and through her experience, knowledge, and integrity, made TEI a sought-after customer in the conference-planning arena. And she served as an effective teacher and mentor to other members of the staff (and through her own volunteer efforts, other rising meeting planners) as well TEI’s chapters and regions. As a member who has long been involved with planning a TEI regional conference, I can personally attest to the value of her experience, patience, and advice.  

Deborah was also instrumental in designing and implementing TEI’s successful sponsorship program, which has provided the Institute with a stable source of revenue for funding for close to 30 years (and which forestalled increases in dues and program fees). Every single member has benefited from those efforts, even if they have never attended an Institute-level program.

For more than three decades, Deborah Gaffney made TEI’s conference-planning train “run on time,” she worked tirelessly to ensure that every detail was addressed during the planning process, and she was unflappable under pressure. All the while, she provided care and attention to TEI’s leaders, and made TEI’s members, speakers, and sponsors feel welcome and a part of the TEI family.

Without question, Deborah was an effective ambassador for TEI. Her professionalism, decorum, and grace brought honor to the Institute, and enabled TEI and our members to accomplish their education, networking, and advocacy objectives in a hospitable and conducive environment.

For the foregoing reasons, it would be fitting for TEI to honor Deborah’s service to TEI and the in-house tax community. I ask that you forward this nomination for the Distinguished Service Award to the Awards Committee, with the request that the Awards Committee submit it to the Board in due course. If approved by the Board, I believe it would be appropriate to present the award to Deborah at the 72nd Midyear Conference in Washington, DC, when many of Deborah’s TEI friends will be present.