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Vincent Hellens 2024 Southern California Chapter President |
Time has flown by, and I am honored to have served as your 2024 chapter president. We’ve seen so much growth, and together, we’ve made 2024 a year to remember. Our commitment to excellence is reflected not only in programs we delivered, but also the continuous support we receive from our past presidents. Their leadership and wisdom continue to shine through and guide us, year after year.
Our branches remain stronger than ever: High Desert, Coachella Valley, and Inland Empire. Each Branch leadership has kept the momentum strong, inspiring, and engaging with their regions.
Year of Events
WATCH Manual Seminar:
This year, our programs have been a huge success, starting with the SOLD-OUT WATCH Manual Seminar that we brought back after years of not having the event. With over 100 public works professionals at each session to stay updated on the latest trends, CA MUTCD standards, and best practices in traffic control. Thank you to the WATCH manual committee for their endless support and the new 2024 WATCH book.
SoCal APWA Career Fair:
- First-ever career fair with 9 booths, 3 public agencies, and 60 attendees.
- Helped bridge students with prospective employers and we also awarded over $28,500 in scholarships to 15 students with one being our endowment recipient from CSULB.
Education & Workforce Development:
We’ve also strengthened our support for education and workforce development. This year, we established new endowments at Cal Poly Pomona and Santiago Canyon College, expanding our reach to all parts of public works, from water/wastewater technicians to urban designers and fleet managers.
Public Works Institute:
- welcomed over 120 participants, helping them develop leadership skills to take back to their communities. We had about 20 graduates complete their 90-hour program and are ready to take what they’ve learned to their agencies.
Other Events
Let’s not forget our ongoing efforts to grow our chapter— Our Golf Tournament continues to be a success, with all proceeds going to our scholarship fund. Events such as the Summer Social, the SoCal PWX Wine Down, technical tours, our yearly mentorship program, and monthly luncheons have not only strengthened relationships within our existing network but also served as a gateway to welcome new public works professionals to our organization.
And of course, none of this would be possible without the continued support of our platinum, gold, silver, and bronze sponsors. Thank you for your partnership in making these initiatives possible.
Thank you to everyone for making this year memorable. It’s been a great ride and one that I know is far from over.
Let’s continue building excellence and shaping tomorrow together! Congratulations to today’s award winners—enjoy the luncheon!
Now, it’s my honor to present the Presidential Award to a member who has gone above and beyond to make an impact on the chapter and his community. That person is Jose Espinoza from the City of Gardena. Jose is an Assistant Engineer, where he has dedicated 22 years to managing Capital Improvement Program projects, including street and sidewalk upgrades, and the council chamber’s audio/video and HVAC improvements. Currently, he’s overseeing the Rowley Park Basketball Court and Civic Center Lighting upgrades.
Jose holds a bachelor’s in construction engineering management and recently earned a Master’s in Public Works Administration.
Beyond his work with the City of Gardena, Jose has been an incredible asset to the SoCal APWA Chapter. He’s played a key role in organizing the vendor booths for the SoCal PWX Conference, managing registrations, coordinating logistics, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. He has also leveraged his relationship with MSA by attending one of their conferences as an APWA member.
On a personal note, Jose met his wife while working for Gardena, and they’ve been married for 13 years. They have a 10-year-old daughter who aspires to work for a city in the future. In his free time, Jose enjoys camping, fishing, and barbecuing with family and friends.
Jose, thank you for your dedication to both your community and our chapter. Please join me in congratulating Jose Espinoza on receiving this year’s Presidential Award!
