In 1994, I joined the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. I was a young communications professional excited about the opportunity to learn from a seasoned PR and Communications executive. Much of my job for the first couple months was pretty boring, writing obituaries, editing documents and helping out where I could.  I was happy they were willing to purchase a PC for me as the other staff were using Wang Computers.

A couple months into the job, our very forward-thinking, technically minded Assistant Executive Director, David Martin, CAE, came to my desk and asked if he could talk to me. He said “Since you are the only one here who knows how to use a PC, would you like to work with me to help build the AANS website?” Of course I said “Yes!”

That night I went to Barnes and Nobles to buy a few books on how to create a…