It has now been over two months since Mike Sellars’ well-earned retirement. I’m honored and humbled at the responsibility of being the new executive director of PERC. It is undeniable that Mike truly cared about our mission as well as the staff who deliver it with dedication. He left some big shoes to fill, and I’m working hard to be up to the task of continuing his work.

As the first executive director to originate from the PERC staff, I feel I have come into this role with a unique appreciation for our agency. When I came to work at PERC, I found a place where great people worked together with integrity and toward a call to public service. This special blend of meaningful work and a collegial, supportive environment made PERC the right place for me.
 
The 50th anniversary of PERC’s founding is a fitting occasion to look toward renewal and improvement. I am approaching this position with a mindset of growth, both for myself and for the organization. We can always learn and improve, and we should not be afraid of looking at the way we’ve done things to see if we can do them even better. As we’re looking to polish our policies, processes, and practices, I want to be guided by two broad and important principles:

• Our mission is to deliver expert, impartial, effective, and timely dispute resolution services to the unions, employers, and workers we serve.
• We should make PERC a great place to work for life. I want this to be a place that is family-friendly, supportive, and collaborative, and where people can see themselves working until retirement. Recruiting and retaining great talent is essential for us to deliver our mission.

I’ve learned that one of my strengths is being a brainstormer. I love talking with people, thinking about problems and puzzles, and coming up with ideas. Anything worth moving from the whiteboard to the decision table should further these two principles about our mission and our workplace culture.
 
It has been a wonderful experience meeting with members of PERC staff and our community over the last few months to hear input about what we’re doing well and to brainstorm about how we can do things even better. If you have feedback, suggestions, or ideas, I would love to hear from you. I look forward to working with you in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead.
 
With gratitude,