Page 14 - Sept-Oct 2025 Vol 43 No 4

FROM THE TCAPWA PRESIDENT By Kimberly M. Strong
Momentum Starts With One Move –

Let’s Take It Now!

It is so hard to believe, but I am very
excited that we are preparing for our next
Annual Conference to be held Sept. 22-24
in Memphis. Our hosts are our friends in
Germantown.
We are looking forward to making
history with this year’s conference. Our
chapter will celebrate our 71st Anniversary.
If you have not already done so, please go
ahead and register for the conference.
Even if your schedule won’t allow you to
stay the entire time, we would love to see
you during our annual awards luncheon
and awards ceremony taking place Sept.
24th. This year will be historic, to say the the Women in Public Works. For example,
least, as we have planned a few surprises TPW Magazine’s 2023 Nov/Dec issue
and firsts for our chapter. featured an article highlighting Knoxville’s
To give you a hint, we will recognize a Women in Fleet Management. Fast forward
group of individuals within our chapter to 2025, and the City of Chattanooga’s
who deserve our utmost admiration and Women in Public Works Committee’s great
respect. We will honor our past, present achievements were being recognized by
and future. You can find registration and Chattanooga’s Public Works Administrator
vendor information within the magazine. Jerramy Woods, to the newly-elected
A shout out to Lauran Canacaris city council, and through service as the
(Conference Committee Chair) and sole volunteers during the Inauguration
the Conference Committee for putting of Mayor Tim Kelly and City Council
together another excellent group of members.
educational sessions and networking for us The committee has grown from 25 to 75
to enjoy. members strong. They are gearing up to Transportation and Water Resiliency;
As I went back and looked at the 2024 bring change for all female workers in the • take advantage of APWA’s certification.
Sept/Oct issue of our TPW Magazine, City of Chattanooga, including addressing A list of certifications offered can be
one thing remained the same. We are the needed policies and procedures in their found on APWA’s website: Certificates
proud winners of PACE again for 2025! September meeting. In fact, during the & Workshops -American Public Works
The PACE acronym stands for Presidential last committee meeting, we recognized Association (apwa.org);
Acknowledgement for Chapter Excellence. our female summer youth workers, who • recruit a colleague to join our chapter;
The PACE Award is APWA’s recognition were presented with an award and Kelly • offer a tour of your facility to local
of chapters that positively impact their Administration swag. schools;
membership, the profession, APWA, As we enter into the final quarters of • host a table at a college career fair;
and local communities. It’s such an this fiscal year, would you accept a small • and lastly provide feedback to your local
achievement and distinction, and we don’t challenge? If we each choose one item from branch director with subject matter
take it for granted. the list below to enhance your local branch, that is of interest to you. Your branch
Each year, additional documentation imagine how far we would grow! A few directors’ contact information is found
is being required for PACE. We could examples include but are not limited to: on page 5 of this issue, and they are eager
not have done it without the work and • attend a branch meeting and/or branch- to hear from you.
dedication of each one of you. Special sponsored event; Please don’t hesitate to email or call me
thanks to Klair Kimmey, TPW Magazine • submit an article for our TPW Magazine; with your ideas and suggestions that will
Publisher; Emily Harrell, Chapter • sign up for a TPWI course; grow our chapter. My email address is:
Treasurer, and our Executive Committee • advocate for change at the national kstrong@chattanooga.gov and my office
for ensuring that we had all of the required level with the Government Affairs phone is (423) 643-7814. I am looking
documentation for this year’s competition. Dept. Their areas of policy focus forward to seeing each of you in Memphis
Momentum has grown significantly with are: Emergency Management, as we make history once again!
14 TPW September/October 2025