MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF EFMA
Rick Delorme As we start another year, I would like to
ing times in my career, and EFMA has been
thank the membership for giving me the
a big part of that.
opportunity to be president of EFMA.
This association is all about its mem-
EFMA is an association of hardworking,
bership and support of each other. When
dedicated, and highly skilled professionals
I started in the school district, EFMA was
whose sole purpose is to make educational
there to support me and help guide me
facilities efficient, safe, and fun. The amount
as my learning curve was straight up. The
of knowledge and expertise within our as-
interaction with other members and the
sociation is outstanding and the sharing of
Ministry of Education has been a key to my
that knowledge is a big part of what this
success. I encourage every member to get
organization is all about. My career has taken many turns as I have been in maintenance for over 39 years and have been working for School District #42 Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows as the director of maintenance for the last 13. I originally came from private industry starting in pulp and paper as an instrument mechanic. I then moved to the petrochemical industry where I was an instrument/electrical technician, then as a coordinator. Following that, I worked as an electronic technologist for a large grain terminal before moving back to pulp and paper as an instrumentation foreman and then became
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Ops Talk • Fall 2019
involved in the association, the zone meetings, the conference, the executive, and the professional development sessions we put on. We now have over 39 new members and it is important that we support them in their new roles. This year’s theme for the conference is “Pride and Excellence – Raising the Bar”. I believe this theme represents what our members are all about. We take pride in our work, we strive to excel, and we are continuously looking for a better way to do things. We recently finished a new elementary school in our district, and as I watched
the instrument-electrical superintendent. I
the students and staff enter the building for
then took on the role of maintenance su-
the first time I was overwhelmed by the ex-
perintendent-project manager for a large
citement and positive comments. It made
wood manufacturing company for 10 years
the long days and hard work all worthwhile.
in three different mills, the last being a to-
It is a beautiful facility and I don’t know how
tal rebuild. If someone had told me when I
I will top it, but I will try.
graduated from college that I would even-
I look forward to working with you all in
tually be working in a school district I would
the coming months, and remember, this as-
not have believed it. In saying that, I have
sociation is for you, so please get involved
to say that these last 13 years have been
and let us know what you need and how
some of the most rewarding and challeng-
we can help you. n
