The Chairman's Corner

Patrick Longo
March 2016

It’s hard to believe I’vecompleted all 12 of my CMSA Chapter meeting visits. For the last three visits, President Steve Weitekamp and I took a trip to the North Bay Chapter in Santa Rosa then down to Alameda for a Northern Region Chapter meeting, and lastly to Sacramento. From the first meeting in San Diego to the last in Sacramento, though nerve racking, it was an incredible experience speaking to all the dedicated men and women of the CMSA. Every one of you made me feel welcome and comfortable so I wanted to take the time to thank all of the mover and associate members throughout the state. I had a blast.

Bob Fraser, our Vice Chairman and owner of Redwood Moving & Storage, gave us a tour of his operation and showed us the beautiful town of Healdsburg, where they make some of the world’s most incredible wine. Bob and his wife, Cris, also put us up for the night at their beautiful home. Thank you both for your hospitality. It is much appreciated.

Executive Board Member Maribeth Wolf and her brother, Jim, showed us a great time at Walnut Creek. Steve and I had a chance to see their operation and spent some time having lunch in the downtown area. Peter Mazzetti Jr. and Bev Klein met with us and provided us a tour of Nor-Cal Moving Services as well as NC Moving & Storage Solutions’ massive and impressive operations. We then headed over to the Oakland area to meet with CMSA Chapter President Mark Macy and his crew over at Macy Moving.

On the last day of the California tour, we visited my fellow North American agents in Sacramento, Nathan Fuller from Roseville Van & Storage, Inc., Mark Larson (Current Board Member) and Brian Larson (Former Chairman) of Mother Lode Van & Storage, Inc.

After the Sacramento Chapter meeting, we were kindly offered lodging at Len and Susan Gollnick’s home. I had to see for myself whether Lenny is really retired from Pioneer Packaging, and sure enough, he convinced me. He is busy golfing, gardening, planning vacations, planning his retirement party, and running his community like only Lenny can do. Lenny, you have meant so much to our association and to many in the industry. I wish you nothing but the best as you venture on this new chapter in your life. Enjoy your retirement! You certainly deserve it.
Thank you all for your generous hospitality making my trip both memorable and rewarding. Next up, I look forward to visiting the Capitol to meet with California officials about the state of our industry on Legislation Day, March 2nd. I will then head down to San Diego for its annual golf tournament as well as prepare for our LA Chapter Day at the Races Fundraiser on April 10. So it should be a very busy last two months in office and I am looking forward to enjoying every minute of it. Remember our 98th annual CMSA Convention in the beautiful Resort at Squaw Creek in Olympic Valley CA is just over two months away so please register as soon as possible.

March 2016 - CMSA Communicator