As historians, we study change, but that doesn’t make it easier for us to handle. For the Western History Association, we are now dealing with a transition in executive directors and home offices. After five years under the stewardship of John Heaton at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, the WHA will, as of July 1, 2017, be housed at the University of Nebraska, Omaha, with the position of executive director being taken up by Elaine Nelson.

Happily, the transition promises to be a smooth one. Thanks to the
leadership of Heaton, our association is in very good shape. All members owe an enormous debt to him for guiding the WHA so ably. We wish the budgetary situation in Alaska had not precluded his university from continuing to host the WHA and from his remaining as executive director. We are delighted, though, to have Elaine Nelson on board to shepherd the WHA through its next chapter. Elaine has a long history with our association, having worked for it as a graduate student when it was led by Paul Hutton at the University of New Mexico. She has maintained her dedication to the WHA since joining the faculty at the University of Nebraska, Omaha. Her university has made a substantial commitment to the WHA, which, together with Elaine’s energy, enthusiasm, and all around good sense, augurs great things for our organization.

 Stephen Aron, WHA President