ABA FOCUS NEWSLETTER

Fall Edition 2023

Greetings from "Jon" the Elf

Dear ABA,

Surprise! It's your favorite mischievous elf “Jon”. For those who attended the ABA Winter Luncheon, you already know me and my shenanigans. If you weren’t able to attend, ask a friend who attended to get clued in…

Well, guess what. I’m up to no good again and have taken over “the other guy’s” MacBook (catch me if you can!).

During my campus adventures I’ve seen first-hand how hard everyone is working. Well fear not, dear colleagues, for the much-needed winter break is here, and we're all about to embark on a journey of relaxation, Netflix marathons, and a healthy dose of festive indulgence (and you know I am going to be on the hunt for candy canes…). As I shuffle through the campus over the break, I know I will see a select few who are working to keep the campus safe, maintained, and operational. Your commitment to Sac State warms my elfin heart—thank you.

You’re in for a treat for this newsletter – we talk about CPR (no, not THAT CPR), sustainability awards, and the Heimlich maneuver, oh my! Intrigued? So am I!

Until next time, ABA!

Signed,

"Jon" the Elf

2023 Winter Gathering

By Felicia Forte

The annual ABA Winter Gathering/Luncheon has been a tradition within ABA for many years. It is an event that encapsulates the feeling of holiday cheer through the enjoyment of great food, games, fellowship, and celebration of ABA employees milestone years of service. During this event winners of our Annual Holiday Door Decorating Contest are announced, along with prize drawings for submissions (historically: cookbook recipes, holiday home décor, and favorite holiday songs).

Vice President Bowman always likes to open the event with brief heartfelt remarks and kudos to ABA staff for their dedication to the mission of Sac State, however, this event also has an emcee from our division’s events committee, S.T.A.R.T. (Strategy Team: Achieving Results Together), who will work tirelessly to keep the good times rolling.

Our typical attendance ranges from 200-350 ABA staff and has been held at various off-campus locations as well as on campus in the University Union Ballroom.

The 2023 Winter Gathering was held on December 12, 2023, at the Scottish Rites Masonic Center and featured a holiday feast from Jackson Catering. We had a blast playing Guess Who with some adorable throwback photos of ABA staff, competing in gingerbread house decorating, and just enjoying one another’s holiday cheer. It was one for the books!

Years of Service

In the spirit of acknowledging our team's commitment and achievements, ABA proudly commemorates the dedicated service of employees, with milestones ranging from 10 to 35 years this year!

Your unwavering hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed, and we sincerely appreciate the opportunity to recognize the collective contributions that make ABA thrive.

Explore the list of esteemed colleagues recognized for their years of service and join us in celebrating the remarkable milestones achieved within our ABA community.

10 Years

Alena Rybachuk, Facilities Planning
Allan Ganotisi, Facilities – Custodial
Allan Soliven, Facilities – Bldg Trades MultiCraft
Christopher Marolla, Receiving & Shipping
Eddie White, Facilities – Custodial
Galina Grigoryan, Human Resources - Benefits
Jose Bustamante, Facilities – Engineering Services
Michael Pughsley, University Mail
Regeena Lewis, Clery Compliance

15 Years

Alejandro Raya, Facilities - Parking
Edgardo Manalang, Facilities – Custodial
Elvin Saldivar, Facilities – Bldg Trades MultiCraft
Emily Parmelee, Space Management
Hernando Esteban, Facilities – Custodial
Jason Johnston, PD
Laura O’Neill, Audit & Consulting Services
Nestor Doctolero, Facilities – Custodial
Noel Carolipio, UTAPS
Scott Oleinik, Human Resources - Benefits
Yavette Hayward, Business & Administrative Services

20 Years

Albert Ganotisi, Facilities – Custodial
Christopher Ponder, University Mail
Erin Smith, Bursars Office
Eufrecino Esteban, Facilities – Custodial
Leah Davis, Procurement & Contract Services
Mario Hernandez, Facilities – Custodial

25 Years

Joseph Arca, Facilities – Custodial
Keith Olocki, Facilities – Bldg Trades Lockshop
Rahquel Moreno, Facilities – Custodial
Suzanne Rivera, Bursars Office

30 Years

Randy Davis, University Mail

35 Years

Monica Flood, Financial Services

Upcoming Events

By Felicia Forte

All Staff Professionals

ABA hosts an All-Staff Professionals meeting once each semester to allow Vice President/CFO Jonathan Bowman and our Admin Council (Associate Vice Presidents from each department within ABA) and Management Council to provide campus and departmental updates. This meeting also provides a space for ABA staff to ask questions in response to those updates and fellowship with one another over light refreshments. Aside from general updates, Vice President Bowman typically opens the meeting with heartfelt remarks and kudos to ABA staff for their dedication to the mission of Sac State and most recently, their resilience during a global pandemic. These types of remarks are intentional as it is a priority for Vice President Bowman to make sure everyone is seen and appreciated for all that they do within their departments.

Our typical attendance at these meetings ranges from 200-350 ABA staff and has been held on campus at the Harper Alumni Center or the University Union.

Our next scheduled All Staff Professionals meeting will be on Thursday, January 11, 2024, in the Harper Alumni Center from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM with light refreshments catered by Epicure. Due to this meeting being rescheduled from Fall 2023, there will also be another All Staff Professionals meeting towards the end of the Spring 2024 semester.

Coffee & Conversation

Coffee & Conversation is an ABA tradition where Vice President/CFO Jonathan Bowman hosts a direct discussion with non-managerial staff once a semester. Vice President Bowman will provide information regarding any updates to the campus and ABA, and can address any questions or comments raised by staff while enjoying coffee and refreshments. It is a requirement that no managerial staff is present to protect staff from any judgment or backlash to their comments. During these meetings, a representative from the Office of the Vice President/CFO will also be in attendance to take anonymous notes for Vice President Bowman to follow up on after the meeting. This is important to ensure that the concerns of ABA staff aren’t falling on deaf ears and that actions will be taken to better situations in the best way possible.

Although this event only takes place once a semester, there are two options to attend. An early morning option and a late afternoon option are offered to give everyone (including night-shift staff) a chance to participate.

Our next scheduled Coffee & Conversation will be on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 from 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM and Thursday, March 28, 2024 from 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM. The location is to be determined.

Employee Spotlight - Sustainability Team Wins Again!

By Anna Anderson

The 2023 California Higher Education Collaborative Conference was held at UCLA from November 28th to December 1st. This conference aims to bring together public higher education institutions in California to focus on improving the system as a whole. Awards are presented to teams that implemented successful practices emphasizing operational performance. Sacramento State’s sustainability team was presented with an award for Hornet Reuse and The Water Meter Project. The sustainability team also won the Focus on Efficiency award in 2018 and 2019.

The Water Meter Project was implemented to find a cheaper alternative to expensive meter installs. Most campus buildings did not have meters, and the previously installed meters had to be manually read on analog units. At first, an engineering study concluded that the cost to implement smart meters campus-wide would be $2.2 million, with each meter installed averaging $50,000. Later, the sustainability team found an alternative in Metron Farnier, a company with installs that use cellular signals and long-term battery packs at $6,800 per meter. Choosing Metron Farnier resulted in an 86% decrease when comparing cost estimates.

Hornet Reuse was launched last year to reduce campus waste by allowing students, faculty, and staff to exchange items that would otherwise be thrown out. It is a mobile app and website that lets the campus community post items they want to give away or find things they need. This app contributes to waste reduction and cost savings by diverting usable goods from landfills and repurposing them instead. The app also builds community by allowing the campus to share resources and engage with one another collaboratively. The sustainability team at Sac State works hard to create innovative solutions that reduce environmental impact and let the campus and students thrive.

Pictured: Joshua Maddox, Laura Gonzalez-Ospina, Ryan Todd, Jonathan Bowman

Learn More About Their Work

Appreciate a Colleague

Take a peek at ABA's Appreciation Blog, where ABA employees can shine a spotlight on the small but impactful deeds of their fellow colleagues. Let's celebrate those moments that often fly under the radar!

Click the link below to spread the positivity and nominate a colleague for their outstanding contributions! Your appreciation makes our workplace brighter.

ABA Appreciation Blog

Jeanne Brewster Performs Heimlich, Thanks to Janie Mutchler's Training

By Anna Anderson

ABA’s Jeanne Brewster from Financial Services helped save a man who started choking at the CSU Business conference in Anaheim on April 25th, 2023. The event had hundreds of people and Jeanne assisted in facilitating it. The man went up to Jeanne and communicated that he was choking, causing Jeanne to perform the Heimlich Maneuver to clear his airway immediately. Unfortunately, the Heimlich Maneuver can induce vomiting, which is what happened in this case. While it might be gross, this is a small price when someone’s life is on the line. Jeanne recalled that among all of the people at the event, no one seemed to realize that this man required help. If he had not singled out Jeanne then he may have continued choking and gone unnoticed. Jeanne’s immediate action in this situation proves how important it is to be educated on first aid and other emergency skills since someone’s life could be at risk at any moment.

Jeanne learned the Heimlich Maneuver and other first aid skills in 2019 when she took a class from Janie Mutchler, the Emergency Manager in Risk Management. Risk Management offers free CPR, First Aid, and AED training on campus for Sac State employees with these instructors: Janie Mutchler, Meysee Vang, and Don Nahhas. They also offer group training and can train up to 24 people in one day. They have classes scheduled on the “Safety Training for Faculty & Staff” Trumba calendar.

We commend both Jeanne and Janie for their excellence and for the roles they played in saving someone's life.

Fresh Faces & Fond Farewells

Fond Farewells

Budget Planning & Administration

Lauren Garrett

Business & Administrative Services

Anthony Lucas
Eva Slover
Gabriella Chavez
Jason Miller
John Talley
Julin Chum

Facilities Management

Aaron Ramos
Anthony West
Antonio Nucal
David Contreras
Erick Asamoah
Erik Skall
Fe Dasalla
Igmedio Yasay
Jarrett Kelly
Johana Zavala Espino
Jose Bustamante
Maria Cervantes
Mayra Serrato
Mercedes Navarro-O'Hara
Michael Abedania
Sarah Raczkowski
Sean Cowhie
Seini Nau
Stella Pan
Zeny Buenaventura

Financial Services

Emily Chu
Jennifer Barrett
Laverne Simmons-Barnett
Leah Davis
Manoj Pal
Martha Peters
Nicole Sharkey
Sandra Strong
Timothy Davis

Human Resources

Amanda Simons
Dalia Ramos
Donna Jackson
Jennifer Park
Kayleigh Plank
Sarah Laird
Urvashi Mulasi

Police Department

Adriana Banuelos
Bryan Cervantes
Dianne Patton
Frances Palu
Susan Estenson
Teresa Mallory

Risk Management Services

Kevin Pargett

Vice President for Administration

Felicitas Morales

Fresh Faces (Including Transfers/Promotions!)