Issue 163 – September 2025
PRO: FILES
The California JPIA Welcomes Four New Team Members
Jessica Salazar, Administration
Jessica Salazar joins the California JPIA as an administrative assistant, bringing experience across multiple sectors, including municipal experience with the City of Anaheim. Her professional journey began in her father’s plastering construction company, where she assisted with administrative tasks that sparked her interest in the field. “I came to see administration as the foundational backbone that supports success in any direction one chooses to pursue, particularly when paired with effective communication,” she said.
Her career has included positions in recruiting, manufacturing, local government, and healthcare. During her eight-year tenure at MemorialCare, she flexed her attention to detail through various roles like human resources assistant and payroll application specialist.
“Helping others, listening, contributing to seamless workflows, and connecting with my colleagues is what I find most rewarding about my job,” said Salazar. “I have a strong affinity for work that is both technical and efficient. My proficiency in this area stems from my ability to analyze workflows, master new systems, adapt to changing environments, and express my viewpoints when necessary.”
The Authority’s risk management ethos and person-first culture has resonated with Salazar. “Before working here, I didn’t know much about the California JPIA, until some friends and colleagues elaborated on the quality of the organization,” she said. “Administrative Analyst Jennifer Torres always tells me the Authority is a unicorn organization, and I’ve come to understand why. Everyone here has been the best!”
“I am delighted to welcome Jessica to our team. Her collaborative spirit shines through in her daily interactions,” said Chief Administrative Officer Nikki Salas. “Jessica’s ability to jump in wherever needed sets a great example; she supported her coworkers on a time-sensitive project, greatly benefiting the organization. Her positive attitude and proactive approach have made her an essential team member.”
Tracey Yonemura, Finance
Tracey Yonemura joins the finance department as an accountant. Originally planning to become a dentist, Yonemura’s career path changed after taking an accounting class in college.
“I was surprised how much I enjoyed it,” she said of her first accounting experience. “I discovered my knack for the blend of structure, problem-solving, and attention to detail through accounting.”
Yonemura’s experience working in finance at the cities of Bellflower and Seal Beach has given her valuable insight into local agency operations and challenges. This experience enables her to understand member relations. “Now being ‘on the other side’ supporting members, I can approach my work with an understanding of their perspective,” Yonemura said.
“I am excited to welcome Tracey to the Authority. She brings a wealth of experience, having worked with multiple of the Authority’s members before joining us,” said Finance Director Jason McBride. “Her can-do attitude and genuine desire to serve our members make her a perfect fit for our team. She brings a smile and positive energy to the office every day, and we are excited to have her on board.”
Her commitment to service drives her work: “I really enjoyed my time at Bellflower and Seal Beach because I felt like I was directly contributing to those communities,” she said. “Now, working at the California JPIA, I get to take that same sense of purpose and apply it on a broader scale, supporting multiple agencies and helping them serve their own communities. Whether it’s putting together reports, reconciling accounts, or ensuring accurate transactions, it is rewarding to see the bigger impact my work can have.”
The Authority has expanded its training capabilities with two new staff members who bring complementary expertise and innovative approaches to member education.
Monique Moctezuma, Training
Monique Moctezuma joins as a senior training specialist, bringing a distinctive blend of experience across social work, education, and corporate training. Her career began with the County of Orange in social work, where she connected individuals and families with vital resources. She later transitioned to teaching sixth-grade English and history before moving into corporate training with Kaiser Permanente.
Her professional background provides key strengths for the California JPIA. “I bring a unique blend of empathy from social work, creativity and adaptability from teaching, and strategic instructional design from corporate training,” said Moctezuma. “I excel at understanding learners’ needs, connecting them to the right tools, and designing experiences that are engaging and practical.”
“Monique rounds out our training team with an entirely new and much-needed skillset,” said Training Manager Ryan Thomas. “As an experienced and trained curriculum developer, she will better tie learning objectives with training constructed to help adult learners engage with training and retain what they learn. Also, she comes from a strong service background, which will mesh well with the way we deliver service to our members.”
Moctezuma holds a master’s in instructional design and technology from California State University, Fullerton, which equipped her with advanced skills in instructional strategy and e-learning development. This academic foundation, combined with her practical experience, equips her with both theoretical and applied training knowledge.
“In every role I’ve held—whether in social work, the classroom, or corporate settings—I’ve been most energized by helping others gain the knowledge and confidence they need to succeed,” she said. “For me, the most rewarding part is witnessing that ‘aha moment’ when something clicks for a learner, and they suddenly see how to apply what they’ve learned. Whether it’s a new skill, a clearer process, or a shift in confidence, watching that spark of understanding turn into action is what keeps me passionate about training.”
Kevin Hanson, Training
Kevin Hanson joins as a training specialist, bringing analytical expertise from the defense, automotive, and aerospace industries. His career began in the nuclear defense industry, where he started in inventory management and evolved into an office manager role encompassing sales, forecasting, contract negotiation, and data analysis.
At Kia America, Hanson worked in customer service and eventually joined their safety office, collaborating directly with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on safety campaigns and recalls. He later served as a proposal specialist and contract negotiator at Northrop Grumman within the F-35 and F-18 Programs.
“The possibility of joining the public sector, which I’d been seeking for a long time, finally presented itself with the Authority,” Hanson said. “I saw the opening in training as a great opportunity to put my experience to the test in a new environment where system and process modernization was an ongoing effort.”
Hanson finds satisfaction in the creative aspects of overseeing the Authority’s Learning Management System. “I love the creativity that goes into managing and improving customized training resources,” he said. “It’s fun to come together as a team and implement features and functionality that make the learning experience more enjoyable for our members.”
“Kevin is a service-oriented professional who brings another helpful hand to our team,” said Thomas. “He brings a strong data analysis and systems background, but marries that with the helpfulness, resourcefulness, and ingenuity of an eagle scout. We couldn’t be more excited to have him join the team!”
The addition of Jessica, Tracey, Monique, and Kevin reflects the Authority’s ongoing commitment to recruiting professionals who not only bring technical proficiency but also share the organization’s values of collaboration, member service, and community impact. As these four professionals settle into their roles, they bring fresh perspectives and proven expertise that will further enhance the Authority’s ability to serve its membership across California.
Welcome to the team, Jessica, Tracey, Monique, and Kevin!
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