Message From the President

We’ve been highly productive at CCSO Headquarters this summer, driven by the renewed sense of connection and optimism about our organization’s future that we felt during our annual Conference. One key way we’re building on that momentum is through our new, collaborative working groups. The SRN II working group, which launched earlier this year, is already underway and making progress on addressing concerns raised by our Supervising Registered Nurse II members.

I’m proud to say that the 2025 CCSO annual conference was one of the most successful we’ve had in a long time. From the way it was organized to the quality of the venue, speakers and overall atmosphere, everything came together in a meaningful way. We’ve received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback from our members, which, to me, is one of the clearest signs that we’re moving in the right direction as an organization. The energy at the conference was palpable, and it was clear that members came ready to engage, learn and connect.

We held our first quarterly State Board meeting of 2025 on January 17, and I am pleased to report that CCSO is hitting the ground running, ready to make this new year a successful one. We were happy to welcome Chad Huckleberry as our new State secretary, along with John McAllister and Arturo Ramirez as our new State Board members. We got a lot done in our inaugural meeting, setting some good expectations for how we want to work together and how we want to keep our momentum going into the future.

As the year draws to a close, we want to take a moment to reflect on all that we’ve accomplished together. This year has been one of growth, dedication and remarkable teamwork across every corner of our organization. Each of you has contributed your unique talents and unwavering commitment to making our collective efforts shine. Your hard work, innovation and resilience have not only driven progress within CCSO, but have also made a lasting impact on the communities and institutions we serve.

To begin, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to our members and colleagues who were recognized for their heroism and courage at the CDCR’s 39th annual Medal of Valor awards ceremony in September. We applaud all the medal recipients for going above and beyond in service to their institutions and communities. For more on the ceremony and honorees, read Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer Mary Towe’s feature.

I hope this message finds you and your families well. We’ve just come out of the “dog days” of summer, and I hope all of you were able to enjoy some quality time with loved ones. This time of year often brings a renewed focus as we prepare for the last stretch of the year. It’s important to continue prioritizing your physical and mental well-being, both on and off the job. I hope summer gave you a chance to recharge, and that you’re feeling ready for the opportunities this season brings.