The Chairman's Corner

By Former CMSA Chairman Pat Longo (2015-2016).

August 2021

Editor's Note: With CMSA Chairman John Chipman Jr. serving as chair for two years, CMSA has scheduled several guest columnists to replace half of his Chairman's Columns. We thank Chairman Chipman and look forward to his column next month.

Well, I’m back to writing a CMSA Chair column for the Communicator. Being that I am certainly not an esteemed writer, this does feel like a mild-to-moderate form of torture. Kidding! Happy to give my two cents about the industry this month and what is happening from my little corner of the California moving market.

I really give John Chipman, Jr. tons of credit for extending his CMSA Chair position beyond his commitment. Great job, John! We are all lucky to benefit from your hard work and dedication, am good to go on filling in for you this month. Enjoy it man.

Here we are continuing to live Groundhogs Day in dealing with this Covid pandemic. Reflecting just a month ago, I certainly thought we were through the worst and gaining some normalcy through increased vaccinations and less spread.

BOOM!

Then July and Delta variant hit town.

Back again to worrying nonstop about our crews and customers staying safe. We here at Andy’s take this role very seriously, and the laser focus on this can be just exhausting. Add in a remarkably wonderful moving season this summer – Thank God, right? We are all just doing our best to hold strong and get these moves done well with quality and really step up to our role to be an essential service to the California public.

Our customers are more educated this year on moving delays. Thanks to the media focus on our driver shortage combined with a massive California exodus, I have to say that customers haven’t been as angry on delays this year. Jill and I even got in on the action and were interviewed by ABC here in Los Angeles. Educating the public to the reality of our business felt great. We were proud to represent all movers and especially our fellow CMSA members, even if I did have to appear on camera. Fairly painful torture once again, but I survived.

I hope that all our fellow CMSA movers and suppliers are safe and healthy and getting through this crazy 2021. We are proud to serve alongside you all, and proud to serve the moving public.  

August 2021- CMSA Communicator