Are you a fan of the Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Angels, or Oakland Athletics? These teams make up the American League West and I'm proud to represent the division as a Houston Astro in the ACTEC Foundation's Home Run Derby 2026!

As an ACTEC Fellow serving on the Business Planning, Estate and Gift Tax, and Fiduciary Income Tax Committees, the New Fellows Steering Committee, and as Senior Advisor to the Rocky Mountain Fellows Institute, 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, claim some friendly bragging rights and, most importantly, raise critical support for the ACTEC Foundation and its educational mission.

Every dollar you donate sends my home run farther into the seats and helps push the AL West and the Astros up the leaderboard. I'll be easy to spot in Astros colors, swinging under the nickname Mickey "The Mick" Davis.

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 remain strong and accessible for current and future trust and estate professionals.

Each donation fuels another swing, another drive toward the Crawford Boxes, 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 "The Mick" knock this one out of the park.

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!