Hi, I'm Bob Kirkland!

Are you a fan of the Kansas City Royals, Cleveland Guardians, Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, or Chicago White Sox? These teams make up the American League Central and I'm proud to represent the division as a Kansas City Royal in the ACTEC Foundation's Home Run Derby 2026!

As an ACTEC Fellow serving on the Fiduciary Administration Committee, Employee Benefits Committee, Long Range Planning Committee, and the ACTEC Foundation Board of Directors, and as Senior Advisor to the Heart of America Fellows Institute and ACTEC Liaison to the Uniform Law Commission, I'm stepping out of committee work and into the batter's box to compete against ACTEC Fellows representing the other divisions.

The objective is simple: win the ACTEC Pennant, enjoy a bit of friendly bragging rights and, most importantly, raise critical support for the ACTEC Foundation and its educational mission.

Our Division is known for consisting of small market teams. Let's show 'em that we small market folks can take it to the billionaire payroll teams! Every dollar you donate sends my home run farther toward the fountains at Kauffman Stadium and helps push the AL Central and the Royals up the leaderboard. I'll be easy to spot in Royals blue, swinging under the nickname Bobby "Sluggerrr" Kirkland.

But this Derby is about more than competition. Your contribution helps the ACTEC Foundation support essential programs, including:

• Lifelong education and scholarships in trusts and estates
• The Mary Moers Wenig Student Writing Competition
• The Dennis I. Belcher Young Leaders Program
• ACTEC Trust and Estate Talk podcasts

Your generosity ensures these initiatives continue to strengthen the profession and support future leaders.

Each donation powers another swing, another drive toward the wall, and another step closer to the Pennant. Keep an eye on the leaderboard and watch for weekly Wednesday updates throughout the Derby.

May the best slugger win and may Bobby "Sluggerrr" drive this one into the seats.

ACTEC Foundation President Lora G. Davis is pleased to introduce the lineup for this year's spring fundraiserThe 2026 ACTEC Foundation Home Run Derby! The champion will round the bases to claim the coveted ACTEC Pennant! Every dollar you donate during the Home Run Derby drives your favorite slugger's ball toward the fence.

• Every Dollar donated drives the ball one foot.
• A ball that travels 400 feet is a home run.
• The slugger with the most home runs wins the Pennant!

The Home Run Derby will take place over four weeks, with one round per week. A weekly winner will be announced (the player who hits the most home runs), and the overall Derby winner will be named at the end (the player who hits the most home runs at the end of the four weeks).

The Home Run Derby wraps up at 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 14, with the winner announced in the Friday, May 15, ACTEC Weekly Update and on the ACTEC Foundation's website.

This year's lineup features ACTEC Fellows representing each of the six divisions, each stepping up to the plate to help support The Foundation.

The Derby aims to raise $40,000 to support the important trust and estate programs made possible by The ACTEC Foundation. Help your slugger knock it out of the park and meet their goal!