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Welcome to MISAC Connect Audio, the official podcast of the Municipal Information Systems Association of California (MISAC). This podcast is your go-to resource for in-depth discussions, expert insights, and community stories that go beyond our MISAC Connect forum.
Allen Hammond (00:01.164)
Hello Brad.
Brad Walker (00:02.543)
Hey, how are you?
Allen Hammond (00:05.322)
I'm good. Ready to try this one more time? I'm going to drive up to Sacramento if this does not work out.
Brad Walker (00:07.375)
One more go, huh?
hello MISAC Community, we're here today with brad walker Executive director of MISAC. that's his title and that's what we're sticking with but there's more to brad than just him being executive director of MISAC and
Brad, before you get into the, you know, all the machinations of what you do and your team does, which I'd like to talk a little bit about as well. Let's learn about Brad. Tell me a little bit about yourself, how you got started, and, you know, a little bit of a journey in your career.
Brad Walker (02:31.886)
Well, I've been doing association management for way more years than I want to count, but well over 40. And kind of started right out of when I was going to graduate school in Chico, we had to do an internship and I had the opportunity to work with Donald Carlton Burns, one of the preeminent lobbyists.
In the state at the time, coincidentally, Don had gone to high school with my dad, but he ran an association management company as well as doing the lobbying. So I did my internship with him and stupid me, I took the association management. Why instead of the lobbying, why?
much more money in lobbying and association management. But I've thoroughly enjoyed it. So that's how I kind of got into it and I've worked my way up through the years doing management level things. And then finally, been the executive director of a few associations.
Allen Hammond (03:56.463)
That's great. many of you or many of us know you as the executive director of MUSAC. And I think you like to kind of keep it that way. But many know you as the person that directs us to our food at the conferences. So maybe if you could tell a little bit more about the role of Ark.
Brad Walker (04:16.94)
Yeah.
Allen Hammond (04:24.834)
You'd like to be known as MISAC, but I think it's important to tell a little bit about how arc is the pulling levers behind the curtain.
Brad Walker (04:35.97)
Well, technically speaking, my employer is Association Resource Center or ARC. And we're a for-profit company that manages nonprofit associations. We have, I don't know, I think we're getting close to 30 associations under roof that we manage. And there are many people with.
the same level as I am who serve as the executive director. Some serve as executive director for multiple associations. only serve currently and forever. Only serve as the executive director for MISAC. At one point in time, a year, year and a half or so ago, I also served as the executive director for CISDA.
Along with MISAC, SISTA is the county's counterpart to MISAC. MISAC obviously is cities and special districts. So that's kind of what we are with ARC. And as I mentioned to you before, when I've got my ARC shirt and hat on, I'm, excuse me, I have my MISAC hat.
on and shirt on, I am strictly Misec and that's my only client that makes it much easier just to say I'm with Misec.
Allen Hammond (06:15.054)
That's great. Well, let's take that to your team. So you have a fantastic team, some of which I get to work with a little closer than others. But tell us a little bit about your team and the roles that they have.
Brad Walker (06:26.38)
I've been able to assemble a great team here at ARC to work strictly on the MISAC account. And then we have a few other team members that we share with other associations. starting with Gretel, who I refer to as my work wife. She's the one who keeps me in line, keeps me in order. She's
The membership manager as well as, you know, all around conference registration handles a lot of things for the association, you know, taking things off my plate. We also have Lisa Petrie. Lisa handles all the communications and educational program for MISAC. Alan, I she's probably the one you're most familiar with through the.
through the communications committee. Jude Polank joined the team fairly recently. Jude and I worked together years and years ago when I was managing an independent auto repair shop association. Jude is our primary meeting planner. And then most recently we added Casey Charles.
to the team, we're sharing Casey a little bit, but within MISAC, we're finding that the chapters are getting much more active. And so his job is to do the administrative stuff for the chapters, working with venues and that kind of stuff. Then Lori Borges handles all the, she's my money person, she's our money person.
handles all the bills and the like. And then of course we just, have, and Kevin Kilkenny works on the government affairs legislative committee. And then of course within ARC, we have other people that do various things, including, you know, receptionist who answers the phone. When you call the, call the MISAC phone number, she answers that as MISAC, so.
Brad Walker (08:53.122)
We have quite a, there's quite a support team behind the supports MISAC in a lot of different ways that a lot of members probably don't even realize are there, especially with Jude, Lisa, Gretel and me being the front people.
Allen Hammond (09:13.964)
Yeah, no, for sure. I think, know, specifically to Lisa, like you said, if you if you weren't serving a committee that she helps facilitate other than conferences, you may not notice her other than, you know, but because she is on those committees, communication committee is one that jumps into mind. We get to see her name and her postings often on the MISAC Connect. so it's nice to be able to bring some attention to the others who we might sometimes just see as bill collectors or something.
But it's always awesome to see their smiling faces at the conference. I know they're always super busy, probably running around with their hair on fire, but they always take a couple of minutes to say hi and chat. So I've always appreciated that. Outside of some of the things you talked about, there is a role that you guys take, and that is with the state board as well and with the chapters. Can you tell a little bit about?
what that is and how that's shaped and how the state board interfaces. Basically, I guess we just want to know how the fudge is packed.
Brad Walker (10:20.433)
Well, obviously, I've got a general or we've got a general philosophy that the state board exists to govern the association while staff is there to manage the association. So, as best we can, we try and keep the state board flying at, you know, at the 30,000 foot level.
and let us kind of do the administrivia. We recognize that you guys are all really busy, have a lot of responsibilities within your cities and special districts. And, you know, I don't think your time is best spent, you know, doing registrations and that kind of stuff. That's best left to, you know, let us do that. We're good at it.
And it frees you up to do the higher level stuff, which is, know, I have, trust me, I have no expertise in technology stuff. So I, we rely very heavily on the volunteers when it gets to the technical stuff. I mean, a perfect example is we can, as staff, can put on a pretty good conference, you know, as far as the logistics.
the working with the vendors and the like. But, you know, as far as programming, what, you know, what educational program and what do you want to hear, what do you want to know about, what do you want to learn? We rely on volunteers. I have no clue what that would be. and that's a level we try and keep everything on.
Allen Hammond (12:13.772)
Yeah, that's great. know, moving on to membership items and some of what's transpired over the years, I have been known to say this either on this podcast or chapter meetings or somewhere. I know this is not the first time I've said this, but I'm sort of a legacy.
Brad Walker (12:15.246)
Thank
Allen Hammond (12:38.702)
I mean that in that I've been in MISAC for 25 years. Now I'll confess the first many of those years was really as sort of a drive by casual attendee. I was not a very good MISAC member in those first few years. And, but that said, I got a lot out of it. I found a lot of value in it. And one of the things I found was it was a, cause I was an AT or an IT manager.
it was sort of safe Harbor for me to share and talk about those matters that as an IT manager, I could through the listserv and other channels, talk to my peers and colleagues from other cities. And so at that time, MISAC was more about. IT leaders and over the years, and I will be the first to confess, you know, I didn't have a lot of heartburn, but there were some.
Concerns like this is becoming something different. I don't have that that channel in those opportunities I'll use the word again for safe harbor on those matters. I need to talk about that's probably not for all years All that to say I can't think of a better thing that MISEC has done over the years and that is make it a truly a municipal IT Association where all is there
in a large part and is I'm seeing the fruits of that. And that is you are, are building leaders of the future. and, Neil, by the way, in this, you know, typical IT people, they, they need a channel like MISAC as a place that they can share, knowledge and expertise and collaboration. And so that to me has been a,
a big, big plus in the direction of MISAC and obviously brought an explosion there. So can you talk just a little bit about that and the decision of that and the trends of MISAC and just sort of the, you know, the demographic engagements that have occurred over the years.
Brad Walker (14:54.734)
Well, what I've always admired about MISEX since I've had the opportunity to be the executive director is the willingness of the CIO, the IT director, the IT manager to include their staffs. as you said, that's going to build the leadership for the future.
You know, get into succession planning and, you know, Alan Hammond decides to retire. You know, hopefully, you know, his number two just steps is available to just step in, replace him and understand the value of what MISAC brings. You know, one thing I want to address, Alan, that you mentioned is, you know, the safe harbor for the CIOs and the IT directors.
I think when we, although I don't find it utilized all that much, but when we went to the higher logic platform to replace our old listserv, it allowed for a variety of different communities. And one of the communities we did add on was one for strictly the higher, the leadership, the IT
CIOs, IT directors, IT managers to converse amongst themselves. Ironically, I think it's not utilized a whole lot, which I think speaks highly to, again, to the IT, those leaders willing to share their thoughts and expertise with people who aren't quite at the top yet. So that's kind of my feeling about it.
And as far as growth within MISAC, I did a little research just for giggles. I know when ARC took over management of MISAC, there were 400 members total. I think there were a little over 2,300 now.
Allen Hammond (17:17.447)
wow.
Brad Walker (17:19.246)
When also there in 2014, there were 201 cities that were members and the total of 267 total, which would include special districts and the like. In 2025, we have 258 cities and we really, for the most part, I think there's 450 cities.
in the state of California, pretty close to that. Interesting part is we don't have a lot of participation from the huge cities, the San Francisco, the LA's, the San Diego's, the San Jose's, but from that level down to the smaller cities, we've got most of them. So the ones missing who are not members,
Most of those either don't have an IT department at all. They contract it out for the most part. And we've got some rules about IT contractors being BSAC members. So, you know, a lot of them just aren't allowed. But anyway, in 2025, we have 258 cities and a total of 367.
Allen Hammond (18:31.104)
yeah.
Brad Walker (18:45.566)
total entities including special districts, JPAs, a few others. you know, even though even the membership has grown tremendously and we've done pretty well also in the number of agencies who become members.
Allen Hammond (19:04.716)
Yeah, no, I think, I think it's great, you know, to your earlier point about the community for, for the directors and CIOs and whatnot. I have to agree as somebody who's on that communications committee that sort of, you know, drew some of those, those silos up, it has become very inactive if not used at all. And I think maybe it, it, you know, to your point as well, it speaks to the collaboration that we have across.
You know, it doesn't matter by position. And maybe there's a little bit of little dusting of us just the sector that we're in. We all have to be transparent anyways and never know when there's a PRA request around the corner. And it's just, you know, we're not super secretive. I do like the idea of not allowing vendors to peek in and gives me a chance to get on my soapbox without having a vendor.
tug on my ear. So, know, respect of the engagement, the how have you seen, you know, the engagement over the years between older, when I say older, I mean, in terms of being longtime members versus the newbies. I mean, what's been your experience and what have you seen in terms of that type of engagement?
Brad Walker (20:33.102)
What I see is a lot of the newer, younger, not as long time members, I think they're excited about MISEC and want to try and grow and try some different things. I think the longer time members sometimes exercise due caution, which I appreciate.
And there's, you know, there's only so many resources and so much ability to do things. But, but I actually love the new ideas, you know, keep those new ideas coming. And no promises we can implement all of them. Some of them, some of them just, some of them are great. Some of them, my feeling is, okay, this wasn't thought through real, real far. This is, this is, you know, here.
We can do it, but here's the consequences that you're going to face if we do it. And some of the more long-time members will usually jump in and we've got to think about all the consequences that are going to happen if we do something.
Allen Hammond (21:54.583)
Yeah, I think, you know, as somebody's in the communications committee, you know, we're sort of tasked to keep that engagement going and make it a place that everybody can go to. I find in, and I guess what I'm going to do is just draw in my own personal experience. If that is sometimes, man, I'm just so busy. I've got to just put me sack up on a shelf somewhere and I come back and visit it later as much as I want to be engaged and help people. and I'm wondering.
Because you'll see that you'll see, you know, super active members, and then they just sort of disappear for a bit. And then they come back or somebody that's new, just out of nowhere will post. That's why I really try to encourage and really try to help those first time posters. I mean, I don't know specifically their first time poster. just know that I don't necessarily see a lot from people. And I think that's something I think we need to keep encouraging, and helping along. And I know.
In the communications committee, we tried to do some things with higher logic to make sure that, you know, questions get eyeballs on them and they just don't die on a vine somewhere. and I'm trying to be better about that as well. And I think, you know, I, I'm thinking back decades now when I was a, a MISAC noob. you know, it could be a little intimidating, especially somebody who came from a private sector who had no municipal experience.
to post something or ask a question that just might seem like really you're gonna ask that question, you know, but I I have found over the years Through and through I can't find a better group of people that's willing to help each other and and you know It's like we're all got this bunker mentality and we're just all in the same foxhole and everybody's dealing with the same stuff That's what I find so rewarding about music
Brad Walker (23:49.871)
No, I agree and I worked with another association that had a listserv type format, know, intra-association communication and it was called Team Talk and I used to refer to it as Team Squawk because they just seemed to be, I don't know.
It seemed, comparatively speaking, was much, much, much more negative than what we see on the MISAC listserv. It's much more about helping each other and not bitching and complaining about whether it's the association or whatever. It seems to be, let's help each other.
Allen Hammond (24:39.992)
totally agree. Not that I've ever seen it, but you could see, as I said, I came from the private sector and it seems to be a lot more competitive and people troll each other. You could see where something like MISAC Connect could devolve into a troll posting area. And that has never been the case. it's always encouraging to see that.
Brad Walker (25:02.313)
No.
Allen Hammond (25:07.63)
A little bit about the future. So I know we have a strategic plan and I'm going to shop some ties with Miguel to get him on here to talk a little bit more about that. There are some elements that are short term, some are long term vision. But for the most part, are some of the, what's the future look like? What are some of your, like, I don't know, give me your three biggest priorities for the future of MISAC.
Brad Walker (25:22.151)
I lost you.
Brad Walker (25:35.587)
Three biggest priorities are to continue to grow it. I would love to see a lot more I Mean there's there's gazillions of special districts You know whether it's a two-person Cemetery special district on up to the huge You know utility type special districts, but I'd love to see us get more special districts involved in me sack
And continue to grow because I think everyone does such a great job of, as we've talked about already, of sharing thoughts and ideas and it's such a great resource for very, very, very little money. You know, as I've said before, if you pay your $130 dues and at the end of the year, you don't feel you got value out of your $130, then let's
let's refund your money to you, but I would argue that if you don't get $130 of value out of your membership during the year, you're probably not engaging yourself enough. So that's one, the growth of the association. I'd like to see our education program continue to grow. think...
Allen Hammond (26:33.806)
Yeah.
Brad Walker (27:01.102)
education and training, think those are areas where we can offer some pretty good, some very good training at reasonable cost because MISAC is not dependent upon revenue from educating and training our members. We're in a very nice situation in that the vendors
now probably provide 95 % of the funding for the association through their participation in the strategic partner program and the conference attendance. So that's it. And then the third one, now I've tried to get us to be more collaborative.
I'll be more, I'll even be specific even though I'll get myself in trouble, but I'm getting old enough I can retire anyway. You know, I would love to see the cities, MISAC and SISDA work more closely with each other. I think there's so many similarities, although I do chuckle about the time that
Allen Hammond (28:01.057)
You
Brad Walker (28:26.446)
I was talking to O.J. Sutherland years ago and he said before we started managing, mean he said, Brad, they're two very different associations and I'm saying to myself, they can't be that different. They're both local government I.T. associations until I started managing SISTA and they are two very different associations. So, but I think there can be a lot more collaboration for the good of
the citizens of California between the two associations as well as the Department of Technology and all of the other government entities because I believe that's kind of why you exist.
Allen Hammond (29:11.416)
Yeah, you know, in that vein, I'm starting to see a little more cross pollination with education as well. Have you guys ever thought about the EDU? I'm sure they must have something similar, but what do they do?
Brad Walker (29:25.646)
Sysda and Misek.
Allen Hammond (29:28.256)
No, the education agencies.
Brad Walker (29:32.974)
That's, you know what, it's something that we can certainly look at, Alan. It's, I know it's kind of been briefly talked about, but I will, you know, I'm not going to say we're doing a lot in that area, but it's an area we certainly should look at.
Allen Hammond (29:46.627)
Yeah.
I've seen, you know, to your point about the county level, I've seen more cross pollination with county and education than I ever have. You used to just see them, people just sort of stayed in those lanes, but I'm seeing a lot of crossover now. So maybe it does speak to a chance to even have our associations have more collaboration.
Brad Walker (30:12.046)
you
Allen Hammond (30:13.314)
You you touched a little bit on the strategic partnerships and I think we know that's where our bread is buttered on and why you can keep those membership fees at the level that they're at. Speak a little bit more about that and the importance of it. You know, I know you just sort of recently opened and closed probably as fast as you open your strategic partnership window. But tell us and share a little bit about that.
Brad Walker (30:34.313)
you
Brad Walker (30:40.3)
Well, this a program started before we, before MISAC took it over and before ARC took it over, but it was kind of, it was growing, but not, not real rapidly. long story short is, you know, we, put together what one of the benefits used to be that you got a conference booth space.
If you were, you were guaranteed the opportunity to purchase a conference booth space if you were a strategic partner. Well, that was the whole reason in reality, that's the whole reason the vast majority of the vendors wanted to become strategic partners is they wanted, wanted to guarantee that they would be able to be at the conference as a vendor. So a couple of years ago, we just increased the price of the strategic partnership, but
just said a booth space is included in the partnership and we've really taken off since then. So, you know, let's face it, the vendors want to get in front of the MISAC members. And, you know, as we get more and more members and as we get more and more members attending the conference, then we can grow the strategic partnership program.
that we limit the number of strategic partnerships we sell, coincidentally, that number is equal to the number of booth spaces we will have at the conference, since that's the number one benefit. So sometimes we just run into space issues at the conference, you know, how many booths we can have. This year in San Diego, where we're going to have the, the,
exhibit hall is absolutely huge and could I have I gone could we have gone more than the the know hundred and thirty hundred and four hundred and thirty hundred and thirty-five vendors that we're have this year yes but what we also try and do with the conference is make it so that my members of MISAC members are not absolutely overrun by vendors so
Brad Walker (33:05.89)
We're at about a one to one ratio of vendors versus members that attend the conference. And that's what we try and aim at. And looking at the numbers this year, we're really, really, really close to that.
Allen Hammond (33:21.74)
Yeah, you I know you'd mentioned that these vendors really what they're paying for is, you know, basically a chance to get in front of MISAC. So what can we as MISAC members do to help with that, to at least, you know, have them in mind, I guess, or know that these partnerships are just that, they're partnerships. So what can we be...
in terms of good stewards of that.
Brad Walker (33:52.943)
Well, the most important thing and the easiest thing is at the conference for every attending MISAC member to visit and talk with every vendor at the conference. I mean, that's what keeps them coming back, even if it's just to say thank you for being here. Yeah.
I don't need your product or service right now, but we'll certainly keep you in mind in the future. Or, you know, up to, hey, we're looking for the products and services you're offering. Tell me more about your company and what you have to offer. And, you know, at the end of the conference, give me a call and let's talk further. So, I look at.
You know, the conference is, to me, is an opportunity to network and meet people. I frequently tell vendors, if you think you're coming to this conference to make a bunch of sales, let me refund your money to you right now because you're going to leave unhappy. That's not what this is about. This is about relationship building.
Allen Hammond (35:15.852)
Yeah, you know, that's a, that's a good point. And I got to tell you, some of it is started just there. There's conferences I've got to and met with people and had little chats and sidebars, never intending to pursue anything. But there was just one thing that I did not know about or, really realized that this person really wasn't trying to pressure me into something. not that that's how I make my purchasing decisions, but
And we walked away saying, hey, let's talk next week. And I wanted, you know, securing those services. So, there are very much value with, with getting in front of those vendors that way. You know, we talked about the conference. Let's, let's, let's get into it a little bit. I don't want you to have to give away any spoilers. many of the things are already out there in terms of what the annual conference is for us, but anything that you could share that's coming up.
at that conference, things that you're really excited about.
Brad Walker (36:16.77)
Well, I always get excited at the fun things. you know, this year we've got a luau by the gigantic swimming pool planned for everyone. We've got the, you know, hopefully transform, moving Hawaii to San Diego for the conference. But I think that's going to be a really, really fun.
evening we're very fortunate Ninja Ninja one came we offered four sponsorships to the to help us out with cost that the for the luau and ninja one came along and said we want all four of them so they're they're helping us out tremendously and and we'll be the only sponsor that night so that that I'm excited about
Allen Hammond (37:04.77)
How?
Brad Walker (37:14.99)
You know, I'm always curious about what's going to happen in the exhibit hall because I work with the vendors so closely. This year we did one of the benefits we offered to our platinum strategic partners was the opportunity to either buy a double booth or a four booth island. Two of them took us up on the four booth island and I don't know, six or seven took us up on the
double booth opportunity. So that's going to be fun to see how that all plays out and whether it's something that down the road other vendors go, hey, I think we need to do that.
Allen Hammond (37:55.725)
Yeah, exactly. Yeah. You know, it's kind of funny. I got in my mind, I can think back to the days where I just sort of carved out an hour to just go swing by the vendor booths. and you were good and I'm somebody who kind of hits all of them. You know, I at least I try and I feel like I'm going to have to bring a scooter down there this time.
Brad Walker (38:17.317)
I don't know if it's quite that bad, but we did grow it quite a bit this year and I'm still keeping in mind that. Alan, I've turned a lot of them away. I've turned a lot of vendors away who wanted a booth, but the fact is we're sold out. Every available booth space this year will be occupied by Strategic Partner, which is
Allen Hammond (38:19.343)
Okay.
Allen Hammond (38:37.879)
Yep.
Brad Walker (38:45.198)
Great.
Allen Hammond (38:46.894)
Yeah, I, you know, there's a lot of vendors I work with that I say, look, you need to go get in touch with me, say go give my buddy Brad a call. And all of them just, ah, too late. It's like, well, start working on 26 then. You know, about conferences, I super enjoy that conference. Make no doubt about it. The sessions that they have, the...
Brad Walker (39:01.838)
You
Allen Hammond (39:14.17)
the type of people giving the sessions. I've walked away from all of those, always learning something and really getting value out of them. You know, the keynote speakers and so I'm not here to bag on that conference because I very much enjoy it, but I will tell you, I will put in, I will wave the rally flag for the Tahoe Summit as well. I think that is one of my favorite.
conferences to hit to and in a large part because I think sometimes you do need a smaller conference. some of that is, you know, there's people I try to make sure I get out and shake hands with and see and say hi. And I may not even see them down at the annual, but at the Tahoe one, I mean, we can even go out and get lunch and dinner. so
You know, a little bit about the Tahoe Summit. You know, I know it's the annual one coming up, so I don't want to take any shine off that, but just, you know, since we're talking about conferences, tell us a little bit about the Tahoe Summit.
Brad Walker (40:15.918)
Thank
Brad Walker (40:20.11)
Well, the Tahoe Summit was something, I guess it happened. It took place years and years and years ago and then kind of died on the vine. I think five years ago, Scott Kahn and Jeff Lewis, I know you've had Jeff Lewis on your podcast, decided to resurrect it a little bit. First, it was just a
meeting opportunity between the Northern and Central chapters. It's since expanded to include the Southern chapter as well. But you're right. mean, you know, it's a whole different look and feel. It's much more intimate at the Tahoe Summit. We only allow four vendors to come participate and sponsor so that, you you're not
You're not bumping into vendors everywhere you go at that conference. Obviously, the education and training sessions are much fewer, they're just full attendee opportunities, not the breakouts like we have at the big conference. But no, I certainly understand.
That's one of those that, we want to continue to grow the Tahoe Summit, but I'm also hearing, don't grow it too much. We kind of like our intimacy. So it's a different, it's just a different vibe and feel.
Allen Hammond (41:56.546)
Yeah.
Allen Hammond (42:06.464)
It is. I just passed one. I particularly liked that we got more Southern California people up there this time. So it was kind of nice to, to meet with them as well. So I just got a couple of last questions here and one of them is, you know, as someone who is our executive director and has, seen MISAC grow from what it was to now, what advice do you have to, to new IT leaders? maybe.
maybe advice that's MISSEC centric or just in general.
Brad Walker (42:41.922)
Well, to all MISAC members, it's an old saying, you get out of it what you put into it. So I encourage you to put some effort into it and you've got so much knowledge and background involved in this association. Use it. Use the Allen Hammons and the Brian Horns from Fresno.
And those that have been around for years and years and years, they, you know, they're a wealth of knowledge. So, and they're, I have yet to find one that is not willing to share their thoughts and knowledge with you. So, you know, take advantage of that. You know, learning is a lifelong experience and it can only help you in your, in the future as you grow in this.
profession. So that's kind of what I would I recommend to the newer younger members that come into MISAC and get involved. know get involved in your whether it's at the chapter level, the state level, a committee, whatever. Again you get out of it what you put into it.
Allen Hammond (43:51.534)
Okay.
Allen Hammond (44:02.37)
Yeah, no, I'll certainly echo the get involved part. kind of overcompensating to a fault of the get involved part. But I enjoy it. mean, I'm doing mentorship in the communications committee and some of the others are things I really enjoy doing and I'm glad I can be a part of. So, Brad, we'll give you little chance to brag on yourself a little bit here.
And we'll end it with this. that is what achievement or achievements would make a plural as well. You know, are you most proud of, or do you want to be remembered for that? This was, this has got Brad's fingerprints all over it and makes you proud.
Brad Walker (44:49.57)
Well, as I mentioned earlier, the growth of the association in terms of the number of members that we have, some of it was a coordinated effort, but the vast, vast, vast majority of the growth is people want to be involved with a winner. And I've worked with associations that,
You know, they start, you know, once the drain starts to swirl the wrong way, it's hard to people involved and enthused. And we haven't seen that with MISAC. So I think, you know, we're not setting our way. We're setting our ways, but we're not setting our ways. We're willing to try and look at new opportunities and new ways to do things.
And that keeps people enthused and we continue to grow. So I'm very, I'm very proud of the growth that we have experienced of people wanting to be a part of MESEC. And the other is, you know, I kind of took the strategic partner program that had been started and evolved quite a, you know,
a little bit to the point that MISAC is in a great, great, great financial position to do whatever, for the most part, do whatever they want to do. So, you know, I'm very, I'm very pleased with that. And the third would be the growth of the conference. You know, the breakout sessions and the number of people attending and getting stuff out.
Those are really the three that I kind of, you know, as I near the end of my career, those are the ones I can walk away and say, you know, I feel like I had a role to play in that.
Allen Hammond (47:02.318)
No doubt, no doubt at all. I happen to know that you had a birthday over the weekend. So happy birthday to you, Brad. And I so appreciate you jumping on again for a fourth time, third time, fourth time.
Brad Walker (47:09.806)
Thank you.
Brad Walker (47:19.104)
No, just a third.
Allen Hammond (47:22.894)
I think this one's gonna stick to the tape. Let's hope. So thank you. Thankful for your time. You were able spend not just for this podcast, but for all the time that you spend with us as an association. So much, much appreciated.
Brad Walker (47:40.875)
Alan, thing I forgot to mention. You asked about things that are going to happen at the conference this year, and I want to make sure the members understand this. Wednesday used to be what we called the Leadership and Innovation Day, and we'd bring in a guest speaker and anybody who stuck around for Wednesday. It was just one big session.
This year we're dividing it into three larger, longer sessions. One dedicated to leadership, one dedicated to strategic planning for cities and special districts, and one's a tabletop exercise in security. So I think.
You know, we'll see how it goes, but it's a little bit of a change and I think the members will like it.
Allen Hammond (48:40.118)
to do. Thank you. Thank you for that. And thanks again, Brad.
Brad Walker (48:44.579)
Thanks, Alan.