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President's Message
Steven Crook, SE
2024-2025 SEAOC President
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorns have roses.”
-Alphonse Karr
“Piglet noticed that even though he had a very small heart, it could hold a rather large amount of gratitude.”
-A.A. Milne
I almost forgot to say, “Thank You.” I still have a couple of months left in the hotseat of SEAOC President, but at our local MO’s, summertime is for passing the torch.
Our Past Presidents are an inspiring and iconic lot. Harshda Prasad, Doug Mayer, Craig Chamberlain, and Wayne Low might be ending their official commitment to the local Boards, but they leave behind organizations that are better for their having served. Not only did you have to write your own President’s Messages, but you sometimes had to take a turn in front of a microphone and camera. Whether it was Craig discussing the 30th anniversary of the Northridge Earthquake, or Harshda offering reassurance on building seismic safety following our modest 5.4 temblor earlier this year in San Diego, I can confidently say that when you all have stepped up, you have made us all look good. Thank you!
As they step off the local Boards, new leaders are welcomed. They bring their own style, but always a certain sense of responsibility and their own flavor of joy. For some, the time as President passes with the usual hardships: budgets, meetings, petty conflicts needing resolution. For others, the mantle of leadership is unbearably heavy. There’s no shortage of adjectives to describe the Eaton and Palisades fires: shocking, devastating, terrifying. But there’s also no shortage of superlatives for Garrett Mills, Maria Mohammed, and the rest of the SEAOSC leadership: resilient, determined, focused, effective. Whether elevating local questions to the state level, or marshalling state resources to the local level, you reinforced that SEAOC is relevant, and you made me want to be the best version of myself in order to help you.
Just as Garrett passes the gavel to Maria, so have our other outgoing MO Presidents wrapped up their terms:
Joyce Feng (SEAONC): you are a model of organization and enthusiasm. As Communications Chairperson, you set the bar for effectiveness and left a lasting legacy with standard operating procedures. I count on your insight and perspective to help focus my own efforts as a SEAOC leader.
Steve Kerr (SEAOSD): From your time on Convention Committee and Wind Committee, to your term as SEAOSD President, you do it all with a smile and all the ease of a classic Hawaiian shirt. You are a boss, and I love you for it.
Laura Rice (SEAOCC): Not only are you a champion for structural engineers in the healthcare and community sectors, but you also used your time as President to strengthen the internal community of SEAOCC and SEAOC, and deepen ties across the industry.
As leaders, you have represented the best of structural engineering, and we are better because you served. With deepest gratitude to our new Past Presidents and departing Past Presidents, know that you have made a difference. There may have been some thorns during your time on the State Board, but when I look back, all I see are the roses that mark your presence.
Thank you.
In that same spirit of thanks, I would like to shine a light on Kelsey Parolini. I am sometimes ashamed of how much I have had to rely on Kelsey this year. The office of President has truly been a team effort, and Kelsey has carried the team. “I don’t mind if you don’t mind, cause I don’t shine if you don’t shine” if I can borrow a lyric from The Killers. I still have about 30 days to write the tribute you deserve, and I look forward to bringing you on stage at Convention.
And “thank you” to those of you who’ve read the messages I’ve written this year. My brother Jesse died in October of last year, before I had a chance to share even one of these Messages with him. When you’ve emailed or texted to offer encouragement, I have read your message in Jesse’s voice, and it has given me strength.
For your service, for your spirit of volunteerism, for your kindness: Thank you.
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