Issue 154 - December 2024
NEWS: WORTHY

End-of-Year Message
By Alexander Smith, Chief Executive Officer2024 has been an incredible year of growth and progress at the California JPIA. We have much to celebrate: the introduction of new training programs and risk management services, onboarding Foothill Transit as our newest member, and welcoming talented new staff who are enthusiastic about serving members and making a positive impact.
Among our new staff, Ben Rodriguez joined as technology projects manager, and Chris Gray came on board as insurance programs manager. Rezvane Lafmejani is contributing her expertise as an accountant on the finance team, while Melane Olmeda is off to a great start as communications intern. Additionally, 2024 marked the promotion of Nikki Salas to chief administrative officer, Abraham Han to senior risk manager, and Ryan Thomas to training manager. Habib Ali was elevated to the role of accountant and Jennifer Torres was promoted to administrative analyst.
With heartfelt gratitude, we thank the staff who retired this year: Carl Sandstrom, business projects manager; Joe Eynon, training manager; and Jim Thyden, insurance programs manager. We also offer warm congratulations to everyone who has recently joined the team or advanced into new roles. Finally, a big thank you to the entire staff for their dedication and camaraderie and for the tremendous work that’s been accomplished in 2024.
We are especially grateful and appreciative for the strong relationships we share with our members and business partners. These connections foster thoughtful collaboration, often yielding elegant solutions to complex problems. The Authority’s Executive Committee and staff recognize the importance of remaining vigilant as we maintain your confidence and trust. Our commitment is underscored by teamwork and a clear focus on our long-term objectives:
Long-Term Objectives
- Providing members with quality coverage programs and economic value
- Delivering innovative risk management solutions and loss control services
- Ensuring excellent claims handling and litigation management
- Offering relevant, timely and comprehensive training resources
By pursuing these objectives, we protect, support, and enhance the operations of our member cities, agencies, and districts. Looking into the future, the strategic goals remain steadfast. At an implementation level, here are some of the projects and initiatives that will advance our objectives in 2025:
2025 Initiatives
- New Resources for Elected Officials: Onboarding, governance, and crisis intervention
- Supervisor Essential Skills Training Program: Class of 2025
- Human Resources Professional Series Training Program: Public sector HR skills and trends
- Interactive Portal for Customized Training Plans in myJPIA Learning Management System
- Cybersecurity Assessment Services: Membership-wide implementation
- Optional Increased Limits for Cyber Liability Coverage: Up to $3 million (subject to eligibility)
As we close out the year, we are grateful for your support and engagement with the California JPIA. We look forward to staying connected with you in 2025 and spending time together. Wishing you a joyful holiday season, and a happy and fulfilling new year.
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