When I was completing my general surgery residency at the turn of the century (I’ve always wanted to say that), I did not have any long-term goals of leadership, much less being a president of a surgical society. I was fortunate enough to complete a minimally invasive surgery fellowship, which provided me with a strong foundation in abdominal wall surgery, endoscopy, foregut surgery and bariatrics. I have also been lucky enough, like many general surgeons, to