It was my great honor to receive the 2009 James M. Cretsos Leadership Award. I did not have the fortune of meeting Mr. Cretsos, but many of the ASIS&T members he mentored have told me of the generosity and passion with which Jim participated in ASIS&T. Grateful for the mentoring Jim provided, these members have in turn mentored younger members of the Society. I believe these mentoring chains serve a critical function within the Society, and I am particularly grateful for all those who had mentored me.