• First Vice President: Leigh Underwood
• Secretary: Melissa Steinrock
• Director at Large: Laurie Andrews
• Director at Large: Pamela Wentz
• Director at Large: Gina Winston

This year’s Operational Compliance Committee members include:

• William King, KPMG (co-chair)
• Ann Loperfito, PNC Bank (co-chair)
• Leigh Underwood, HCA Healthcare (board liaison)
• Wendy Galinas, Sovos
• Nikki Naylor, PakEnergy
• Anna Reorda, Banner Bank
• Jessica Rogers, Kodiak Solutions
• Dana Terry, Prudential Financial

The committee is asking members to complete a brief survey to help prioritize their work in five areas of concern:

• Challenges encountered with report delivery, remittance and payment methods.
• Awareness regarding changes to reporting, remitting and transfers of securities.
• Processing of holder reimbursement claims.
• Lack of clear guidance on due diligence and/or reporting procedures (may be difficult to locate on state website or in handbook).
• Accelerated (or extended) dormancy triggers (when/how to apply).

Please complete the survey today.

Each year, the UPPO Scholarship Program assists UPPO members and their family members who are pursuing post-secondary or graduate degrees. Thanks to the unclaimed property community’s generosity, the program has helped 18 individuals with renewable $1,000 scholarships since 2013. Next year, the program will expand, awarding two renewable $2,000 scholarships annually.

Thank you for making a difference on Giving Tuesday by supporting this valuable program.

• Session presenter
• Industry breakout facilitator
• Industry ambassadors
• Room monitor (The person near the door scanning attendees' name badges for CPE and CLE credit.) 
• Conference bag assembly

The book drive will support Book'em's Books for Nashville's Kids book distribution program, which works with other Nashville-area organizations to get books in the hands of kids who need them.

As you prepare for your UPPO Conference experience, bring a few books or plan to buy some during your trip. Books will be collected on March 12-13. Learn more about Book'em and the types of books they prefer to receive. 

Ensuring UPPO creates an environment that encourages participation from the diverse unclaimed property community can make the organization better and stronger for all members.

View the task force charter and complete this short survey by Nov. 22 to apply for task force consideration.

UPPO has also streamlined the Advocacy web page. The updated page provides fast and easy access to news about UPPO's advocacy work, as well as noteworthy legislative, regulatory and litigation news.  

This year’s first scholarship recipient this year is Katelynn Stemle, daughter of UPPO member Jennifer Stemle from Kimball International. Katelynn is currently a freshman at Purdue University, majoring in Pharmaceutical Science. She has received many awards and honors, but notably she was crowned 2022 Miss Indiana State Festivals and was nominated as an emerging underclassmen Boilermaker leader. She was also involved in an on-campus organization called Old Masters, which invites distinguished Purdue Alumni to return to campus and connect with the students. Katelynn is planning to pursue a career in a laboratory setting. 

This year’s second scholarship recipient is Amanda Greenhalgh, daughter of UPPO member Donna Greenhalgh from AT&T Services. Amanda is currently a senior at North Hunterdon High School in Annandale, New Jersey. She recently completed her final varsity cheer season with her team placing first in New Jersey and fifth in the nation at UCA Nationals. She also recently earned the Girl Scout Gold Award. She plans to attend either University of Binghamton or Roger Williams University, majoring in Environmental Science.

Congratulations to Katelyn and Amanda for their achievements, and best of luck in their future academic endeavors.

• Numerous opportunities to connect face-to-face with colleagues.
• An action-packed exhibit hall to meet with service providers and learn about solutions for your company's unclaimed property program.
• Fun social events.
• More than three dozen educational sessions covering the latest hot topics.
• Interactive industry-specific breakout sessions.

This premier event will not be live-streamed, so register today and join us in Orlando. Early-bird discounts are available through Jan. 19, 2022. Also reserve your hotel room early, as availability during – and immediately before and after – the conference may become scarce.  

Commitment to Safety

UPPO and our host hotel are committed to providing a safe conference environment. We request all attendees to comply with CDC masking guidelines and will enforce all state and local mandates in effect when the conference occurs. Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress follows stringent Hyatt cleanliness protocols, and UPPO will have disposable masks and hand sanitizer available for attendees.

To participate, visit UPPO’s online community, SocialLink, each day and complete the designated daily challenge. Throughout the day and until 11 a.m. EST the next morning, vote for your favorite entries by clicking the like button.

In addition to daily challenges, members who make the most SocialLink connections with other UPPO members between Dec. 6-10 qualify to win weekly challenge prizes.

See more details below and watch for a kick-off email on Dec. 6.

Daily Challenges

• Monday, Dec. 6: Go outside, snap a selfie in the great outdoors and post it to SocialLink using your computer, phone or tablet.
• Tuesday, Dec. 7: Post a picture of yourself enjoying your favorite hobby.
• Wednesday, Dec. 8: Dress up for work in your favorite professional sports gear and post a picture.
• Thursday, Dec. 9: Take and post a picture of something related to the 2022 UPPO Annual Conference (session, location, networking) that you are most excited about or that represents the conference location (Orlando).
• Friday, Dec. 10: In honor of National Lager Day, take and post a picture of how you like to end the week and kick off the weekend.

Daily challenge points are earned as follows:

• Daily photo with the most likes: 30 points
• Daily photo with the second most likes: 20 points
• Daily photo with the third most likes: 10 points
• All daily challenge participants: 5 points
• Bonus points: Incorporate UPPO or unclaimed property into your photo: 5 points
• Bonus points: Include family, friends and/or pets into your photo: 5 points

At the end of the week, participants who have accumulated the most points throughout the week win gift cards from their choice of Uber Eats or Door Dash.

• First Place: $150
• Second Place: $75
• Third Place: $50

Weekly Challenge

In addition to the daily challenges, participants can win one of four $30 Uber Eats or Door Dash gift cards. To participate:

1. On Monday, take a screenshot or photo of your SocialLink profile, showing the number of SocialLink connections you have at the beginning of the week.
2. Make connections throughout the week by viewing other members' profiles and clicking "Connect" to add them as connections.
3. On Friday, take another screenshot or photo of your end-of-week SocialLink connection count, demonstrating the number of connections you added throughout Member Connection Week.
4. Upload your connection count photos using this form by 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, Dec. 10.

Each new connection earns 1 weekly challenge point. The top four weekly challenge point earners win a $30 gift card.

UPPO will coordinate a Teams virtual lunch for the winners and representative from the UPPO Board. You can use your prize to eat with the board during the scheduled lunch or at another time, if you prefer.

Additional Details

• Daily challenge posts can be posted between 12:01 a.m. EST and 11:59 p.m. EST on the designated day.
• Voting via “Like” clicks ends at 11 a.m. EST the day after daily challenge photos are posted.
• UPPO staff will monitor, tally and record “Like” vote totals.
• Daily winners will be posted in the afternoon on the day voting closes for each challenge.
• Weekly challenge Prize winners will be announced on Monday, Dec. 13.

GRAC is responsible for monitoring pertinent legislative, regulation and policy issues, and communicating UPPO's positions on issues to appropriate members or groups. View the GRAC charter. 

Volunteers for the committee do not need to be attorneys, but compliance experience is required.

Consider sharing your ideas, talents and skills by applying to become a committee member today.

Questions? Contact us at 763-253-4340 or uppo@uppo.org.

Bylaws

Marilyn Henry

Carla McGlynn

Troy Wangen

Certificate Program

Jon D’Amato

On-Demand

Robert Martin

Jason Higginbotham

Claimants Representatives

Johan Boakes

Randy Hotz

Conference & Seminars

Will King

Kathleen Shemwell

Emily Ford

Ethics/Governance

Marilyn Henry

Heela Popal

Troy Wangen

Finance

Chris Jensen

Government Relations & Advocacy

Tom Powers

Ethan Millar

Jamie Ryan

Leadership Development

Robert Tucci

Laurie Andrews

Member Services

Cherish Simmons

Laura Carlson

Sherri Prybysz

Nominating

Josh Labrensz

Scholarship

Cathleen Bucholtz

Patty Jo Sheets

Virtual Learning

Debora Pyle

Eric Mauldin

Thank you to all of these dedicated UPPO members for volunteering to lead our committees this year. If you're interested in serving on a committee, please indicate your interest through the volunteer interest form.

Due to ongoing suboptimal conditions for travel and in-person events, UPPO can now confirm the 2021 Annual Conference, March 28-31, 2021, will be held exclusively as a virtual event. Although we hoped for the ability to offer an in-person add-on option, the health and safety of attendees are our top priorities.

Because only virtual registrations have been available, current registrants do not need to take any action. UPPO members who have not yet registered may do so through March 19. Tiered discounts are available for 1, 2-5 and 6+ attendees from the same company. 

Learn more and register today.

Whether it’s educating holders, working to ensure fair regulation or bringing unclaimed property professionals together, UPPO’s initiatives depend on a large, active membership. Growing membership helps strengthen the organization and the unclaimed property profession, so recruiting new members is essential.

As a current member, you appreciate UPPO benefits more than anyone and can help ensure UPPO’s continues to grow its membership and its benefits. Refer a new member today.

On Jan. 27, 2021, IRAs 101 will highlight IRA basics, examining: traditional vs. Roth; how IRAs differ from other unclaimed property types; tax and accounting impacts; types of state triggers; rules on RMDs; and issues resulting from recent law changes and IRS rulings. This webinar is complimentary for UPPO and NAUPA members. Register today.

Watch for additional information on February and March webinars taking a deeper dive into the implications of the SECURES Act and CARES Act and participant-submitted questions.

The Board of Directors is seeking candidates to fill the remainder of the 2020/21 term, ending April 30, 2021. To nominate yourself or someone for the position, please submit your interest through this form by Sept. 2, 2020, at 5 p.m. EDT. Website login is required to complete the form.  

Qualified board candidates must:

• Be an eligible Authorized Representative or Associate of a Member in good standing;
• Have served on a UPPO Committee or established work group; and
• Have attended at least two annual meetings during fiscal years 2019, 2018 and 2017.

The board will review a slate of qualified nominees and appoint the new board member. The person appointed to fill this vacancy may run in this fall’s election as the incumbent for a full three-year term that would begin May 1, 2021.

Questions? Contact UPPO Executive Director Toni Nuernberg.

Bylaws and Governance Committee

Marilyn Henry

Carla McGlynn

Heela Popal

Certificate Program Committee

Jon D’Amato

Jason Higginbotham

Certificate On-Demand Subcommittee

Robert Martin

Conference & Seminars Committee

Will King

Kath Shemwell

Emily Ford

Ethics Committee

Marilyn Henry

Carla McGlynn

Heela Popal

Finance Committee

David Glad

Suzy Emre

Government Relations & Advocacy Committee

Tom Powers

Jamie Ryan

Diann Smith

Leadership Development Committee

Laurie Andrews

Nancy Kovala

Member Services Committee

Cherish Simmons

Sonja Roman-Molina

Sherri Prybysz

Nominating Committee

Josh Labrensz

Claimants Representative Committee

David Knott

Randy Hotz

Scholarship Committee

Cathleen Bucholtz

Ann Loperfito

Virtual Learning: Free-live Committee

Yudit Freda

Virtual Learning: Paid-live Committee

Derek Young

Thank you to all of these dedicated UPPO members for volunteering to lead our committees this year. If you're interested in serving on a committee, please indicate your interest through the volunteer interest form.

The meeting will include the following business:

• Approve minutes from 2019 Annual Business Meeting
• Review and vote on proposed bylaw amendments
• Year in review address by 2019/20 UPPO President Troy Wangen
• Installation of 2020/21 UPPO officers
• Remarks from 2020/21 UPPO President Heather Steffans

See 2019/20 UPPO President Troy Wangen's letter to registered conference participants. 

In 2019, the Board of Directors formed the Dues Task Force to recommend options to simplify the dues structure, have it better reflect UPPO’s membership and help to achieve UPPO’s long term goals. The current structure is overly complex, does not reflect the makeup of the membership (holders and service providers) and is not well-suited to support UPPO’s benefits in the long term. The task force proposed the following new structure, which the board thoroughly considered and ultimately approved. Changes will become effective on May 1, 2020, facilitating the organization’s viability for years to come.

New Structure

UPPO will offer two membership types, each with dues structured as an annual, flat company rate and will include two individual seats – the first being the primary, voting member and the other will be a non-voting member which includes full member access and benefits, as well as serving as a secondary contact for the member firm. Additional seats may be added at any time for an additional charge.

Benefits for both membership types will be added when the new dues structure is implemented.

Added Benefits – All Membership Types

• Webinars – all eight live webinars will now be CPE-eligible and included with the cost of membership. Membership webinars will include three basic or introductory topics; three intermediate or advanced topics; one advocacy presentation; and one Annual Conference wrap-up presentation.
• Legislative tracking – all members will have access to the enhanced features of govWATCH, currently known as govWATCH Plus.
• Advocacy – UPPO will continue prioritizing its advocacy work to promote legislation that is both consumer and compliance friendly. Work will include active participation in the Holders’ Coalition, prompt action for newly introduced legislation, and staying connected with the association’s main political and policy interests and connections.

Added Benefits – Service Providers

• The Free Provider Directory listing will now include a hyperlinked email contact (currently known as a level one listing).
• One 30-day advertisement on UPPO’s website (beginning in July 2020).*
• Provider Spotlight webpage rotation highlighting service provider members.*
• Promoted Events webpage to advertise service provider webinars and events.*

The UPPO Board is confident this new structure will better position the organization for longevity. It will simplify the current, complex structure from 10 membership tiers to only two types; provide a more inclusive membership and more balanced revenue mix; address current inequities in member pricing; and improve acquisition of multi-person contact information for better membership retention. The new dues structure will be reflected in your next membership statement, at the time of renewal for the 2020/21 year.

If you have questions about this change or about your UPPO member benefits, please contact uppo@uppo.org. Thank you for your participation in the unclaimed property community and your membership in UPPO.

*These new member benefits will have separate communications to members as we draw closer to their release dates.

• Retail apparel, equipment and gift cards
• Software, hardware and tech subscriptions
• Transportation vouchers and gift cards
• Any other new items valued at more than $50

Donating companies will receive recognition for their support at the silent auction. To donate, complete and submit this form.

Thank you for supporting our fundraising efforts and for giving back to UPPO members.

View the Industry Focus Conference Call schedule.