I recently came back from the CSI Southwest Region Conference. I had the honor of serving the region as President for this fiscal year. The region has taken a different approach, starting last year. We fund, coordinate and manage the entire conference. The only assistance from the local chapter is helping with the local venue location. This started last year in Tucson and it proved to be successful and profitable. That’s why we used the same model for Las Vegas.
The success of this conference is in the hands of our Region Secretary/Treasurer, Robin Snyder. She did an amazing job and had a good group supporting her. The simple structure is Thursday is for the Region Leaders. We spend half a day focused on the needs of the chapters and leadership. Friday is all about the AEC industry, this includes a blend of activities for designers, specification writers and product reps. We come together at the end of the day as a group and this year we had Cherise Lakeside and Eric Lussier of letsfixconstruction.com lead an awesome work shop. Saturday morning, we wrapped up the conference with our region board meeting. All in all, it was a great time and I have enjoyed spending it with my CSI family.
I have the unique experience of moving from one CSI region to another. If you haven’t pieced it together, I started my career in Phoenix. In 1992 there was another mini recession and my brother-in-law invited us to move to Dallas. I spent close to the next 22 years there, 17 of them at the same architectural firm. It is where I did all of my professional growth, working for some of the best bosses any employee could ask for. But it was Dennis Delisse who exposed me to CSI.
I attended a chapter meeting in February of 2000. I was impressed and realized that the educational opportunities of CSI would help me to become a better Architect. So, I went to Dennis and said I would like to join CSI. He said, “that’s great, the office will pay for membership, but you need to get involved.” If you know me, I hit the ground running.
I would still be in Dallas if life wouldn’t have taken a turn. My wife and I decided that we need to be with family. Late in 2013, we made the move back to Arizona. I landed home Tucson and have had the best time being around family and spending a lot time with Mom and Dad. Just look at last week’s blog, I honored them both. I took a little time off of CSI, getting my feet wet and enjoying everything Arizona. But at CONSTRUCT the region was calling for officers and I said I would get like to be involved. Then two years later, here I am the region president. I say again because I was the first Region President for South Central in 2009. Of course, about that same time I was winding down from the local and regional activities, CSINext was gearing up.
Speaking of gears just a little shift on my thoughts, my recent trip to Las Vegas got me thinking about travel. Traveling from Tucson is always a unique opportunity. OK, let’s call what it really is, I find it is a challenge to get direct flights anywhere from Tucson. Don’t get me wrong, love the town and the life style pace. But the limits of directs flights include Dallas, Phoenix, Seattle or Los Angeles. I know there are few others, but most other destinations require a stop. I typically try to stop in Phoenix. I’ve learned the airport and what it takes to get from Gate to Gate.
I’ve also learned, not to have a stop less than 2 hours in Phoenix. I try to time it around lunch and enjoy a small break. But the last three flights out of Tucson using the puddle jumpers have been delayed. Which brings me back to do a 2 hour layover in Phoenix, have that time is used in getting off the ground. I live about 90 minutes to 2 hours from the Phoenix airport, I just have not made the mental connection to drive and then fly.
Just like flying out of Tucson, I never know what it will bring. This goes for CSI, it has been an interesting journey and I know at this point it is only a layover. I can hardly wait to get on my next flight and see where I land.
…and now for something completely different.
A coyote can hear a mouse moving underneath a foot of snow.
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