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VOL.3 | ISSUE 1 | SUMMER 2009

Welcome to the first online edition of ABA FOCUS, the newsletter for Administration & Business Affairs staff professionals. The transition to an electronic newsletter is an important step for ABA, signifying our commitment to a leaner workplace. We hope you enjoy the photos of and articles about division people and events, and the insights of your ABA colleagues. The electronic edition contains links to websites of interest, including the ABA calendar, the ABA recognition program, and the new ABA thank-you blog. To ensure distribution to those without easy access to a computer, the newsletter is available in printable format. We welcome your feedback on the contents and the new format.

ABA Staff Peer Awards nominees

Nominees for the Problem Solver Award, L to R: Joel Lumsden,
Debra Deakin, Sara Niekamp, Arturo Perez Jr., and winner
Gerry Lopez

ABA PRESENTS AWARDS

Vice President Garcia presented ABA’s annual Staff Peer awards in May, recognizing employees who have demonstrated superior performance, outstanding customer service, or who have contributed to a positive image of the University through their work. Award recipients are nominated by fellow ABA staff members. "The quality of the organization is demonstrated by its people," said Vice President Garcia. “These honorees are not only skilled individuals, but good people.” Over 200 staff attended the event. For more information about award recipients and ABA’s recognition program, click on the link at the top of the page. Read more

Facilities Services Capital Planning, Design & Construction Team, L to R: Susan McGuire, Rechelle Arnold, Robin Eicher, Mark Perry, TJ Moon, Robin Lovering, Todd McComb, Victor Takahashi. Not shown: Don Hendricks

behind the scenes: capital planning, design & construction

These ABA employees are pros when it comes to multi-tasking. Nine professionals with umpteen years of experience under their collective belts, they know what it takes to manage a building project or two. Good thing, too, because Destination 2010 set in motion a capital improvement program of unprecedented proportions at Sacramento State. Now, juggling multiple projects simultaneously is routine for Sac State’s Capital Planning, Design & Construction (PDC) Office. Read more.

why lean?

LEAN -- sound like the latest diet?  Well, it is -- it's a workplace diet.

Yuck, you think.  I hate diets!  Diets mean cutting out things I like.  But … we all know diets can be good for us, right?  Successful diets help us think about what we eat, so that we can eat more wisely -- to increase energy, shrink the waistline and, ultimately, improve our health. Read more.

Rene Ibarrientos, Custodian,
Facilities Services

new faces

New Faces is our way of introducing ABA's new staff employees to the family. You may already know some of the staff pictured, but we want to be sure to properly introduce all of those who have joined us since our last newsletter was published. To help you get to know them better, we have included their start dates and the departments in which they work, along with their photos. See more.

Stephen G. Garcia
VP for Administration

message from the vice president

ABA’s focus on communication and teamwork has never been more critical. As today’s economic challenges persist, the country, the state, the University, and each of us faces unprecedented change. Adapting to change is rarely easy. As we wrestle with reduced budgets, staffing deficiencies, furloughs and their impacts, it is in our best interests and that of our students to practice teamwork – working together toward the most positive outcomes. It is important to remember that virtually no-one is untouched by these challenges, and that maintaining open lines of communication will create the best climate to help us weather the storm. ABA’s Shared Code of Conduct, a reminder of our core values, is now more important than ever. Read more.