he weeks certainly pass quickly, but they fly when you're under deadline. Just ask Michael Nardy of Electronic Payments Inc. (EPI), who has just completed his year-long commitment of writing Street Smarts.

Over the past year, he has authored an article for every single issue of The Green Sheet while also running and growing his business.

Those articles span from April 10, 2006, to his final column, which is in this issue. Michael also contributed several Street Smarts articles under the tenure of the National Association of Payment Professionals, of which he was a Director.

Michael seemed to really enjoy the writing process. He tackled complicated subject matter - agent bank relationships, ISO registration, pricing and residual reporting - and provided colorful analogies. In one article he compared Timothy Leary to ISOs and merchant level salespeople (MLSs).

We'd like to thank Michael for all his hustle over the past year and for never missing an issue.

Beginning with our April 9, 2007, issue, Dee Karawadra, founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Impact PaySystem, will sponsor and write the column. Welcome aboard, Dee.

Since 2003, the semimonthly column Street Smarts has been a prominent fixture in this publication. It is our most recognizable series to date and a focal point of the Education section, to which industry experts contribute thousands of words of insight each issue.

The intent of Street Smarts is to provide an ongoing dialogue with MLSs about their day-to-day challenges and opportunities.

Questions and responses posted on GS Online's MLS Forum serve as a foundation and begin the discussion of hot topics and selling strategies for MLSs.

An archive of all the Street Smarts columns, dating back to May 26, 2003, is available on GS Online at www.greensheet.com/mlsportal/streetsmarts.html.

What topics would you like covered in Street Smarts? Send your comments, suggestions and questions to greensheet@greensheet.com.