OFFICERS

 REDWOOD EMPIRE CHAPTER PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS I am honored to nominated as the 2022 President of the REDWOOD EMPIRE Chapter of the  Maintenance Superintendents Association. I look forward to working with the Chapter Board this year by not only continuing the tradition of a strong and active chapter, but also building  upon our foundation and striving for constant improvement. I am very fortunate to be working  with an enthusiastic and dedicated Chapter Board who is committed to the MSA organization  and to our membership. I may be relatively new to the Redwood Empire, but I am no stranger to the MSA. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A MEMBER OF THE MSA? We are one of the few professional organizations in the country primarily dedicated to Public  Works maintenance, and you should celebrate that responsibility and accolade with your  organization.  The mission statement of the MSA is “We are public agency employees and commercial  entrepreneurs, collaboratively working in harmony, dedicated to the maintenance of vital  public infrastructure and the ongoing education and training of our members.” There are 10 chapters across California and Arizona with nearly 2,000 active members. We have had tens  of thousands of members throughout our 55-year history. What does this all mean for Agency members? Through your involvement, it means that  your Agency now has access to a greater network of training opportunities for your staff, as  well as the opportunity to collaboratively work with vendors who sell you your products. Not  only does this provide your agency with the best deals possible, but it also helps you keep up  with the latest trends in the public works maintenance field. What does this all mean for your vendor company? Your membership provides you direct  access to dozens, if not hundreds, of Public Agencies throughout the region, as well as other  neighboring MSA Chapters. MSA Agency membership ranges from Maintenance Workers to  Public Works Directors, and each have influence on the equipment and services needed for  maintaining their respective agency. You will not only be able to promote your company, but  also train others on the latest trends in technology and breakthroughs in methods and  procedures in Public Works maintenance.  If you advance to a leadership position in the chapter, your position will also grant your  agency access to hundreds of public works maintenance professionals and experts for ideas  and collaboration throughout the Western United States. While serving as a leader of the  MSA, your agency/company is placed at the front of cutting-edge public works maintenance  operations. We should be embracing the position we are in. We are not just representing ourselves or the  Association, we are representing our Agency/Company. We have at our fingertips a wealth of  knowledge that is willing to help support, train, and mentor each of us in the field of Public  Works maintenance - 100's and 100's of cumulative years of experience. There is no other  organization that can provide this type of value.  A brief biography of my career: I am a retired Public Works Superintendent, with a Public  Works career that spanned 5 decades and 4 public agencies – beginning as a student aide in  the County Surveyor’s office, to Engineering Technician, and promoting my way to  Superintendent, in large part due to my involvement in the MSA. I was an active leader in the  Greater Ventura Area (GVA) and San Francisco Bay Area (SFBA) Chapters, serving as  President multiple times. At the end of 2020 I retired from public service, and in 2021 joined  the team at Precision Concrete Cutting Northern California. I currently serve as Executive Board delegate, and was President of the Executive Board of  the entire MSA in 2016. While President of the E-Board, the MSA had two major  accomplishments: the development of the Education Program and the Foundation of the  Maintenance Superintendents Association (which I am also President). I was twice  nominated for the Peter Walsh Award, the MSA’s highest honor, and was named the recipient  at the annual conference in 2017.  Four important activities that I would like all MSA members to focus on this year include: Membership Recruitment – These past couple of years have been a trying time for the  world, and the MSA was not immune to it all. Although some chapters continue to conduct  business on a regular basis, a few have not even met and have seen declining membership  and leadership. We had to dissolve one of our chapters about 5 years ago, and we cannot let  that happen again. I not only encourage that our membership reaches out to other public  agencies and vendors – I challenge you! Please help inform others of the many benefits to  membership. Refer them to our website, mainsupt.com, or call me directly. Invite them to a  meeting. We can provide a FREE LUNCH FOR ALL FIRST TIME AGENCY MEMBERS  ATTENDING THEIR FIRST REGULAR MEETING.) Mentorship – I was asked to be President of this Chapter for one purpose – to mentor the next group of leaders of the “why the MSA is important to them, individually, their agency, and  for the Public Works industry as whole.” I was fortunate enough to be mentored by many  seasoned MSA leaders, that it changed the trajectory of my professional career, and I  developed some great friendships along the way. I endeavor to mentor other individuals with  the same passion and dedication that was provided to me, and hope that it can carry on for  generations to come. We have a dedicated group of lifelong Public Works professionals that  are willing and available to mentor those who seek it.  Public Works Specialist Certification Program – This is the MSA’s unique, self-paced, online education program designed to provide foundational knowledge in most aspects of  Public Works. To date, we have had over 1000 students enrolled in 13 of the 15 classes that  are available through our Education Coordinator. 30 students have completed the program  and have received their Public Works Specialist Certification (including our Executive Board  Vice President Melanie Fraley, City of Novato). Course instructors are seasoned members of  the MSA and are “subject matter experts”. Registration for each class is only $85, and should  be eligible for reimbursement from your employer or the chapter. Because these classes are  being taught virtually, we now have students attending from all over the United States. The Foundation of the Maintenance Superintendents Association – This is a separate  organization from the MSA. “The Foundation” is a non-profit charitable 501 (c) 3 and was  developed so that regular members can make tax deductible contributions to the Scholarship  program. With support from our membership, we can encourage, assist, and fund  scholarships, education & training opportunities, & special projects through the activities of the  MSA. To date, the Foundation has received approximately $190,000 in donations and has  earned $60,000 from investments, totaling $250,000 in assets. These activities will help the MSA thrive and survive for years to come. We recently  celebrated our 55th anniversary, and I believe that within the next 55 years, the MSA will grow  to be a staple in professional maintenance organizations nationwide! As your 2022 President I am committed to not only serving the MSA and their members, but also respecting the  values and traditions of our predecessors. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any  questions at foundationmsaedu@gmail.com, or call me at 805-216-1047. Respectfully,  Carl Valdez • President/Chair of the Foundation of the Maintenance Superintendents Association • Executive Board Delegate and Past President • Executive Board Education Committee Chair • Peter Walsh Award Recipient, 2017 • Past President and Superintendent of the Year - GVA Chapter and SFBA Chapter