The Chairman's Corner

By Jesse Chabot

April/May 2024

Hawaii is calling your name!!! With the Convention right around the corner, I’m getting closer and closer to the end of my chairmanship year. I finished all my chapter visits; this will be my last article. Very bittersweet. I’ve enjoyed seeing all my friends on their home turf and meeting many new friends. I got to visit some awesome moving companies and got a great tour of New Haven. Steve and I also spent time at San Quentin, but that’s a story for another time. A special thank you to Bob Fraser and Lenny Gollnick for opening your homes to us, and an extra thank you to Griselda and Charlie for offering to let us stay in their upstairs apartment in their warehouse (if you know you know).

I went back and read past chairman’s last articles, and most of them I could’ve cut and pasted because they said the words so much better than I could. However, I think the main consensus is that our industry is very diverse, and no two moving companies or CMSA chapters are the same. I’ve always tried to look at a world bigger than mine, and I think the CMSA provides that. If you have ever thought about getting into or being part of leadership, I would encourage you to do so. The amount of knowledge out there and the amount of good people willing to share it is abundant.

As my chairmanship ends, I want to thank senior chairperson Shiree Hammer for always taking my calls and listening to whatever weird question I had that day. You were an incredible help and are an awesome person surrounded by an awesome family.  I want to welcome Vince Cardinale back as our new chairman. I look forward to working with him as his senior chair as he completes his second chairmanship.

To save the best for last is an understatement: the CMSA staff is top notch. Gale has always been there for me, always prompt and helpful. Steve, a true Renaissance man, always has a great story to tell about whatever subject comes up. I told him many different times he needed to write a book. I believe my time with him has been one of the most positive things about my time as chairman. The amount of knowledge and advice he has given me has been something I’ll definitely treasure.

One last “Mahalo” to all who have been a part of this incredible ride! I hope to see you in Hawaii!

April/May 2024 - CMSA Communicator