CEO’s Message

A New Chapter

I’ve said it many times and it is still so true – I have been blessed to work at a job that I love and with so many people that I love dearly. I am truly grateful for the trust that you have given me to run ALCA since 2002. And now it is time to start a new chapter in my retired life.

How did I get here? Twenty-one years ago, I literally sold my house on the family farm in Indiana and packed up a few belongings including my two kids and made Arizona our new home. My daughter, Jama, had just graduated from Batesville High School and enrolled in Arizona State University. My son, Ryan, had graduated from Franklin College and was ready for a new adventure as well.

Within a few months, I was recruited by ALCA as the Executive Director. I have to admit, the first couple of years were tough. I felt like I made some strides and also made my share of mistakes but, it was my goal to learn from them and Judy Gausman try to do my best. ALCA CEO Working at ALCA has always been a team effort. I cannot begin to thank all of the great people in this organization for their support, compassion, and willingness to help me do my job. I have worked alongside with some of the most amazing staff and made some of the nearest and dearest lifelong friends.

About six years into my ALCA career, I had my first date with an ALCA member, Tim Foraker, and as they say, the rest is history. Fifteen years later, we are both ready to see each other day after day, minute after minute as we enjoy our retirement years together and reap the benefits of working so hard for many years.

What’s in store? I grew up in the country with brothers and sisters and a Dad and Mom that took us fishing and camping every chance we could. I love the water, camp fires, fishing, boating, hiking and anything outdoors. So, I am anxious to get back to my roots. Last year, Tim and I bought a 900 sq ft cabin in the mountains on Huntington Lake, just outside of Fresno, California and close to Tim’s sons and our young grandsons. You could say it is a fixer upper when a tree fell on the roof four winters ago but, some progress has been made.

We now have a new hobby and we’re ready to put some sweat equity into fixing it up. We will be spending our summers at the cabin and still enjoy the Arizona winters at our home in Phoenix.

ALCA is as strong as ever and I know there are great strides ahead as Heather Taylor (Education Coordinator), Danielle Joyce (Business Manager) and Barb Shehan (Executive Director) build on the successes ALCA has achieved over the years.

They say you can never really leave the Green Industry and even though this is my farewell message, you may still see me around.

My wish for you all can be expressed in the words of one of my favorite songwriters, Bob Dylan, “May God bless and keep you always, may your wishes all come true, may you always do for others and let others do for you. May you build a ladder to the stars and climb on every rung and may you stay forever young.” Forever young and grateful! Judy Gausman, CEO