Large Employer of the Year
Best Best & Krieger LLP

Small Employer of the Year
Psomas

Professional of the Year
Ashley Turner, RWA
Eastern Municipal Water District

Sustaining Member Service Award
Joe Villegas, MAI
Curtis-Rosenthal, Inc.

Distinguished Service Award
Emily L. Madueno, Esq.
Murphy & Evertz LLP

New Member Service Award
Luany Oseguera
Southern California Gas Company

President & International Voting Director
Darcy Mendoza, SR/WA-GN, R/W-NAC
of Epic Land Solutions

President-Elect & International Voting Director
Ramie Dawit, RWA-TN
of Monument

Treasurer
Timothy Green
of Riverside County Transportation Commission

Secretary
Paul Mim Mack
of Riverside County Transportation Commission
​

Annual Education Conference in Long Beach, June 23-26, 2024:

1. Early-bird registration has passed.  If you plan to attend but have not registered, please do so as soon as possible, especially if you anticipate booking a hotel room in Long Beach through the IRWA website HERE;
2. If you plan to volunteer for the conference, please register through the IRWA website HERE.  You do not need to be registered for the conference in order to volunteer.  You will be contacted by the volunteer coordinators to ascertain what dates/shifts you wish to work, as well as any preference, such as registration; session assistance; general information; exhibitor hall, etc.  The coordinators will reach out to get your size prior to ordering the shirts.  A picture of the shirt and a sizing chart will be available for your review;
   1. Volunteers do not receive compensation or free attendance for the conference, the Monday Nite RWIEF event, or the Wednesday night Gala;
   2. However, parking fees will be paid for the day(s) that volunteer commuters not registered in a hotel report and work the conference;
   3. You do not need to be a member of the IRWA to volunteer at the conference.

 
Duncan Bush IRWA Real Estate Appraisal Memorial Scholarship Fund:

1. Chapter 57 has created The Duncan Bush IRWA Real Estate Appraisal Memorial Scholarship Fund.  The fund was established to award a total of $15,000 in scholarships to active IRWA professionals who exemplify Duncan’s enthusiasm for real estate learning and his passion for the IRWA.  The Fund will provide scholarships, up to $1,000 annually, earmarked for Real Estate appraisal-related education courses sponsored by the IRWA;
2. Applications for this year’s award are due no later than April 30, 2024.  Grantees will be awarded in person at the Chapter 57 office installation lunch in June.  If you wish to apply for the scholarship, please call or email Bob Perdue, Christie Santolucito or Peggy Barnes and request an application;
3. Any individual or company wishing to contribute to the Fund is encouraged to do so and will be recognized at the June lunch meeting;
4. CONTACT INFO:  [email protected] (951.694.6904, ext. 1); [email protected] (951.225.3500, ext. 101); [email protected] (951.237.3627);
5. More Information HERE.

 
Region 1 Spring Forum:

1. The Region 1 Spring Forum will be hosted by Chapter 44 in Las Vegas on May 10 and 11.  Any member of the IRWA is invited to attend.  The Chapter’s International Directors must attend and participate in voting on behalf of the chapter.  This year, we will vote on a new Region 1 chair.  The current chair, Ray Mehler of Chapter 1 in Los Angeles, is a candidate for International Secretary.  Conner McDonald of Chapter 27 (Sacramento), the current Region 1 vice chair, will be running for the Region 1 chair position, and our own Kelley Kelley is running for position of Region 1 vice chair. 

If you have any questions about the Forum, contact Robbie Hechanova, Darcy Mendoza (our International Directors), Kelley Kelley or Peggy Barnes.

Chapter 57 Board:
If you are interested in joining the Chapter 57 Board as Secretary, please let us know!  No Board experience necessary.  Contact Robbie Hechanova (Nominations & Elections Chair).

Chapter 57 sends our deepest condolences to The Honorable Mona Nemat and her family.  Before assuming the bench, Judge Nemat served for years on our Board and spoke numerous times at our luncheons.  She and her family are in our thoughts and prayers.

IRWA Chapter 57 would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest member!

Megan Flores of Coachella Valley Water District

Welcome Aboard!  We look forward to getting to know you!

A scholarship will be awarded each year in the amount of $2,500.00 (Canadian Dollars) to a graduating high school student who is entering a full-time course of study in any of the various fields impacting the right of way profession. The scholarship amount may be awarded to one applicant or split among more than one applicant.

• Areas of study may include (but are not limited to) law, surveying, engineering, planning, real property appraisal, public administration or environmental studies.
• Students applying are not required to be a relative of any IRWA Member.
• No Geographical Restriction: This scholarship is open to every high school graduating student in any of our member countries:
  • Canada
  • the United States, or
  • Internationally

Duncan Bush
​November 13, 1948-August 31, 2021