This being a second edition, rigorous scrutiny was applied to every page, with an eye towards updating, clarifying, and enhancing each subject covered. Upon reading the previous paragraph, however, I was unable to change a single word. It rings as true today as it did over five years ago when I completed the first manuscript for this text. Without the kindness, knowledge, and spirit of learning I received from those listed below, this book would never have reached your hands.

From the Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED) in Washington DC, my thanks go out to Andrea Levere, Genevieve Melford, and Kim Pate for their honesty, sincerity, and earnest commitment to this tool. At the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS), also in DC, I am deeply indebted to Sherry Keramidas for her enthusiastic support of the Balanced Scorecard. Food for the Hungry U.S. (FHUS) provided perhaps the most inspirational environment I’ve ever had the pleasure of working in. My sincerest thanks to the entire senior management team, but in particular: Ben Homan, Loren Kutsko, Matt Panos, and Peter Mawditt. At the Coordinating Office for Terrorism Prevention and Emergency Response (COTPER) of the CDC in Atlanta, thank you to Rich Besser and Galen Carver for your tireless work in support of the principles of performance management. Merl Waschler and Katherine Cecala of the Valley of the Sun United Way in Phoenix have been ardent supporters of the Balanced Scorecard and I thank them for their vision and inspiration. At the Rural Health Resource Center, an outstanding organization demonstrating passionate commitment to the ideals of performance improvement, my thanks to Terry Hill and his enormously talented staff. Finally, to David Hay, Sharon MacFarlane, Christian Richard, and Karin Row of New Brunswick (NB) Power in Fredericton New Brunswick, thank you for your support, generosity of time and spirit, and dedication—I enjoyed every minute we spent together. Christian Richard receives the “above and beyond the call of duty” award. In the midst of guiding the organization’s new Office of Strategy Management with passion and poise, and adjusting to life at home with a new baby girl, Chris, in a request from me, wrote over 20 pages of notes on NB Power’s Scorecard implementation that proved immensely helpful.

In addition to clients, I have benefited from the insights and kindness of many others, including my consulting partner Dennis Barnhart. Thank you for your wise counsel and boundless capacity for learning. To Tor Inge Vasshus and Eric Peterson of Corporater, thank you for embracing the true spirit of partnership as we work together to expand the frontiers of the Scorecard. Oh, and by the way, you’ve built an incredible software product! And finally, to Gerardo Pustelnik and Claudio Nassar of Strategy Execution Consulting in Mexico City (my Latin American partners), thank you for your energy, commitment, and dedication to strategy execution.

My deepest gratitude is extended to the many individuals kind enough to share their time and information with me. Special thanks to Bobbi Bilnoski at the Concitti Network, Colleen Tobin formerly of Women’s World Finance, Rhonda Pherigo from the Center for Nonprofit Management, Bruce Harber of the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, Dr. Howard Borgstrom from the Department of Energy, Nancy Foltz at the State of Michigan, Rick Pagsibigan from the Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Abbi Stone and Katy Rees from the San Marcos campus of the California State University, consultant Donald Golob, author and consultant William P. Ryan, Jake Barkdoll and the Balanced Scorecard Interest Group, Betty Cabrera at the Dallas Family Access Network, Diane Williams of the Safer Foundation, Dennis Feit from the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Philippe Poinsot from the United Nations Development Programme, and Jeff Celentano from the City of North Bay, Ontario.

An innumerable number of other individuals have an imprint on this book. Let me conclude by mentioning just a few: Lisa Schumacher, Kim Eagle,Tiffany Capers, and Matt Bronson from the City of Charlotte, North Carolina. They were gracious enough to submit to interviews for both editions of this book. Joe and Catherine Stenzel have been wonderful friends and great supporters for many years; my thanks to both of you. Steve Mann provided invaluable assistance with early interviews and research for the First Edition of this book, despite recently retiring! Andra Gumbus of Sacred Heart University offered insight and assistance that is greatly appreciated. Finally, I would like to thank Teri Anderson. Teri gave me my start in the performance measurement field many years ago, and has been a supporter and great friend ever since.