Page 97 - 2020 Annual Reports Book updated1

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

It’s hard to believe that my last report to you was for our meeting at the Chicago Hilton just this past
summer because it seems now like so much longer ago than just last year. The last four months have
done that to our time perception. Our last annual meeting in Chicago seems more like five years ago
than twelve months ago.
No matter where we live or what work we are engaged in I think it’s safe to say that our lives since mid-
March of this year have undergone an experience of events and living conditions unprecedented in our
lifetimes or even in most of our parents’ lifetimes, and it’s still going on as I write this. I extend my
sincere condolences to any of you who have suffered loss during this time, whether it be death or
serious illness of a loved one from COVID-19, or job loss and economic difficulty, or just feelings of
depression, loneliness and hopelessness. I do believe at some point this virus will burn itself out or a
vaccine will finally arrive, and we can resume our lives in some semblance of normal.

AMT as a corporate entity has been fortunate enough to survive the pandemic and the financial stresses
resulting from the shut-down of the global economy. But we were not untouched. Perhaps the most
dramatic decline was seen in number of exams administered. Last year, in the single month of April of
2019, there were 1,545 AMT certification exams administered by Pearson VUE on our behalf. This year,
in April 2020, there were only 103 exams administered – a 93% decline. This was largely due to the
temporary shutdown of Pearson VUE testing sites to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Other AMT
numbers are holding up better, such as membership renewal dollars. Plus, we are selling educational
products. Also, certain expenses are not taking place, such as travel. Since the April low-point exam
administration numbers have gone back up as Pearson test sites have reopened and application
numbers are going back up as schools start to reopen. So, we hope the worst of the economic impact is
over.

Also, none of AMT’s 44 staff have tested positive for COVID-19, nor has the AMT building been damaged
or otherwise impacted by any civil unrest.

On Monday March 16 all AMT staff began working from home with the exception of three to four
mailroom and accounting staff who need to go to the office on a limited basis for processing incoming
and outgoing mail, and for the deposit of checks and payment of invoices. We have been able to
maintain AMT’s full functionality during this time except the ability to take incoming phone calls has
been temporarily stopped and replaced with email and chat-room communications with members,
applicants and other callers. On June 15 we allowed staff to return on a voluntary basis to the office up
to 50% normal staff level (in compliance with state-ordered restrictions). We hope to soon restore
phone-calling into AMT.
Meanwhile the regular business of AMT continues. We receive applications to take our exams, we
deliver those exams through our Pearson VUE testing vendor, we accept those who pass into
membership, we monitor compliance with the CCP recertification program, our EQS committees
continue to keep our exam items fresh and updated, we provide continuing education products and
services, we provide member services such as the magazine and government affairs advocacy, and we
continue to promote and market AMT to schools, employers and healthcare practitioners.

In addition to the above day-in, day-out business of AMT we continue with other special initiatives and
projects.

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