As I write this column, I am reminded that the 22nd anniversary of September 11th is around the corner. I had the privilege of serving as CMSA Chairman during that time and traveled to all 12 chapters in the following weeks and months. As I have noted on several occasions, the tragic events of 9/11 and the long-running shutdown of COVID-19, cement in my thoughts the importance of what we do to our American way of life. The broad practice of regular relocation, be it for employment, retirement, or adventure is relatively unique to the American way of life.

I am proud to be a part of an industry that ensures the mobility of our citizenry. It was amazing to travel the state and country during my time as chairman, particularly in the first month after the 9/11 attacks, when flights were fewer and less than full and the military with high-powered assault weapons patrolled the airports. The spirit of our membership was amazing, and when I shared the story of the eight New York moving company employees lost in the attack on the World Trade Center, we all felt a sense of loss but also one of unity. I was scheduled to oversee a significant installation in the SoHo district of Manhattan starting on September 14, 2001. It was postponed until early October, and when I arrived, I walked around ground zero several nights after completing my daily work. Significant barriers had yet to be erected, and the 6th-floor window of my hotel room was still lined with ash. World Trade Center Building 7, a 47-story building, was so compressed that it looked more like a geological site with each floor compressed to the point where it reminded me of layers of different types of soil. The once bustling area was relatively quiet in the early evening, except for the rustling created by the thousands of flyers with photos of the missing and the fading hope of families that maybe by some miracle…I will never forget.

One of the more interesting and enlightening aspects of our work lives is the people who become a part of our lives. Frequently, we develop professional relationships with those with whom we never would have had the opportunity to meet, but for the workplace. Renee Hifumi grew up on the island of Oahu and relocated to California upon graduation from college. This month, we say farewell to our CMSA colleague of 16 years, who is moving on to a new challenge in her career, having accepted a job offer with the county of Orange. Renee has served the Association well as the CMSA office manager. We are grateful for the contributions that she has made in support of our team and our membership. I know you join me in wishing Renee success and happiness in her new job and the years ahead. We hope our paths will cross again, and she will visit her friends at the CMSA.

September 2023 - CMSA Communicator