I first learned about CAPPA in 2016 when I was introduced to the organization by Ron Tarbutton, Chief Facilities Officer, Facilities Management at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK. At the time, Ron was serving with APPA and CAPPA, and he asked if I would be interested in serving with CAPPA as the Newsletter Editor. After some research and a long conversation, I learned more about CAPPA and all that it offered to professionals in higher education facilities management positions, and I knew I wanted to get involved.
My first opportunity to attend an annual CAPPA Conference was in Fall 2016 in Little Rock, Arkansas, which was hosted by University of Arkansas—Little Rock. I had just married Troy Cundiff in August and was excited for us to attend together, but I truly had no idea what to expect from the people involved in CAPPA’s leadership or membership. Would I be accepted? Were CAPPA members all engineers or would there be boots-on-the-ground facilities folks like me? Would there be training sessions related to energy education within higher ed, or would I find nothing relating to my job’s unique challenges. As a newlywed not knowing anyone in attendance, would my husband and I be able to find common ground with CAPPA attendees? We attended with an open mind.
Were we ever surprised by CAPPA! For the past five years, we have looked forward to each opportunity to attend a CAPPA Conference or interact with CAPPA members or Business Partners throughout each year. I was welcomed onto the Board as the Newsletter Editor and encouraged throughout each quarter’s edition. Training sessions at each CAPPA Conference I attended were so numerous that it was often difficult to choose which session NOT to attend.
The CAPPA Board Members were welcoming, supportive and very informative. CAPPA training was broad, with great opportunities for attendees to interact with presenters and others. Business Partners serving as vendors willingly shared their products and ideas with a true desire to offer solutions to unique problems shared with them.
I have highly valued the time spent with CAPPA as Newsletter Editor since 2016. As I am retiring from OSU as of November 1, this is my last newsletter for CAPPA. However, I am excited to see what my successor will do, as I know CAPPA always embraces change for the better.