bank of the west, generali motors, ntel, the national venture cover coalition, and sanofi-aventis. this cross-section a private sector support illustrates just how important our work in growing state economies is. we have support from companies engaged in advanced manufacturing to cutting it information technology to those who can finance entrepreneurs. i also want to thank the kauffman foundation for their financial and intellectual support. we're pleased to have this a broad support, because it is indicative of our work that we need a partnership with the business community and others who are committed to job creation, prosperity, and economic competitiveness. now, to kick this off, it is my pleasure to introduce a good friend, a gallup chairman and ceo, james clifton, who says "what everyone in the world wants is a good job." in his latest book, he describes how this undeniable fact will affect all leadership decisions as country's wage war to produce the best jobs. since 1988, jim has served as ceo of gallup, a leader in organizational consulting and public opinion research. hi