First Quarter 2022 Academy Update

By Michelle Aguayo, Training Coordinator

After a year of executing virtual academies, the California JPIA successfully presented three in-person training academies during the first quarter of 2022. The Authority’s training academies are unique opportunities for member staff to step away from their desks, and fully immerse themselves in a learning environment. The trainings offer two and a half days of learning and networking with colleagues from various member agencies in a comfortable hotel setting.

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The Risk Management Academy was held in San Diego in January 2022. One of the talented academy speakers was Gerry Preciado, who has presented at the Authority’s Annual Risk Management Educational Forum and previous academies. Mr. Preciado talked about the dynamics of organizational culture, communication styles, and how risk management can gain a “seat at the table” in member organizations. In addition to great speakers, attendees of this academy had great things to say: “Last week was a really great experience for me. While I had the opportunity to participate in this academy virtually in the past, the in-person event was so much more effective for me personally. I really appreciated the opportunity to connect with my Authority Risk Manager in person, and it was great to meet so many other folks on the California JPIA team. I also appreciated getting the opportunity to network with colleagues in my community. I am the sole risk manager at my organization, so making connections with others will prove to be invaluable. Thanks again for providing me with the opportunity. I know I am coming back to work armed with more knowledge and resources to help my agency,” shared James Ramirez with the Southern California Association of Governments.

Parks and recreation managers and supervisors from various member agencies attended the Parks and Recreation Academy in Indian Wells in February 2022. “The Parks & Recreation Academy is a life-changing experience. California JPIA really knows how to schedule HIGHLY experienced educational and motivating speakers. Being in this field for over 23 years and having attended multiple California JPIA trainings over that time, I really wanted to be strongly motivated to bring life back to my city and team. Having the opportunity to participate in this academy did not disappoint. Sign up! Bring your team. Sign up everyone. They will win, learn, and grow!! California JPIA, thank you for bringing these speakers into my life,” commented Brie Houghton with the City of Alhambra.

Just last month, the Authority held its annual Leadership Academy in San Diego to impart fundamental concepts of leading organizations to grow a culture of risk management. Lorena Matarrita at the City of Loma Linda shared, “It’s been a week since I completed the California JPIA Leadership Academy, and I’m still reflecting on the lessons and tidbits learned. I am beyond grateful each one of you took the time to share your knowledge and stories with us. Additionally, staff did an amazing job ensuring the event went smoothly and without a hitch.”

The Leadership Academy is unique in that it fits in the middle of the Authority’s leadership development series. Five academies comprise the series: for new managers and supervisors, there is the Management Academy; the Leadership Academy is designed for department directors and long-time supervisors; the Executive Academy is geared toward agency managers/executives; for officials in office for less than two years, there is the Newly Elected Officials Academy; and the Governance Leadership Academy is appropriate for seasoned elected officials.

Additional academies scheduled for 2022 include the Human Resources Academy in  April, the Governance Leadership Academy in May, the Newly Elected Officials Academy and the Public Works Academy in June, and the Management Academy in September.

Email announcements are sent to member agencies two months before each academy with a link to the academy website for submitting registration requests. For additional information about the Authority academies, please contact Michelle Aguayo at maguayo@cjpia.org or (562) 467-8777.

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