A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Welcome to the 54th Annual Eastern Conference!
First, I want to sincerely thank each of you for being part of this conference and for your continued commitment to our association. It is truly an honor to serve as your State President, and this final year in this role is especially meaningful to me.
Over the years, I have had the privilege of watching this association grow, strengthen, and make a lasting difference for maintenance professionals and school districts across North Carolina. Our success is a direct result of the dedication of our members, vendors, officers, and volunteers who continue to believe in the importance of what we do.
This association provides so many valuable opportunities. Through continuing education, professional development, vendor partnerships, and sharing knowledge and experiences, we support one another in doing our jobs better and being better prepared to meet the challenges facing our school systems. The relationships we build through this organization are just as valuable. Having colleagues who understand the work we do and are willing to share their experience, advice, and support is one of the greatest benefits of being part of this association.
Our conferences are an important part of that success. They allow us to learn about new products and services, earn the continuing education hours needed to maintain our certifications, exchange ideas, and, most importantly, fellowship with others who understand the vital role we play in keeping our schools safe, secure, and operational.
I also want to recognize our state officers for their support, collaboration, and commitment throughout the year. Their willingness to give their time and energy to this association helps make everything we accomplish possible.
And I want to give a very special thank you to our Executive Director, Kristie Payne. Kristie, your dedication to this association is truly extraordinary. Putting together a conference of this size and quality takes countless hours, tremendous organization, persistence, and a genuine passion for the people we serve. Your hard work and commitment are evident in everything you do. I am incredibly grateful for the support you have given our officers, our members, and me throughout this year. You are truly a blessing to this association, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside you.
As I reflect on my own journey with this organization, I am filled with gratitude. I have been a member since I began my career with Wilson County Schools in 1994. Now, as a retired maintenance director, I realize even more how meaningful the relationships and experiences I have gained through this association have been.
I want to extend my deepest appreciation to this association and its members for allowing me to serve as your State President during this final year of my career. It has been a tremendous honor and one that I will carry with me with great pride. Thank you for trusting me with this responsibility and for allowing me to give back to an organization that has given so much to me throughout my career.
I encourage each of you to continue supporting one another. Reach out to your colleagues, share your knowledge, ask for advice, and collaborate whenever you can. We are stronger together. The work you do every day is essential to the success of our school systems, and the dedication, long hours, and passion you bring to your jobs truly make a difference.
The future of this association is bright because of YOU. Let us continue to build on our successes, support one another, and move forward with purpose and passion as we work together to provide safe, secure, and successful schools across North Carolina.
Thank you for allowing me to serve. Thank you for your support. And most of all, thank you for being part of this incredible association.
With sincere gratitude,
Mark Letchworth
NCPSMA State President
Retired Director of Maintenance
Wilson County School District
First, I want to sincerely thank each of you for being part of this conference and for your continued commitment to our association. It is truly an honor to serve as your State President, and this final year in this role is especially meaningful to me.
Over the years, I have had the privilege of watching this association grow, strengthen, and make a lasting difference for maintenance professionals and school districts across North Carolina. Our success is a direct result of the dedication of our members, vendors, officers, and volunteers who continue to believe in the importance of what we do.
This association provides so many valuable opportunities. Through continuing education, professional development, vendor partnerships, and sharing knowledge and experiences, we support one another in doing our jobs better and being better prepared to meet the challenges facing our school systems. The relationships we build through this organization are just as valuable. Having colleagues who understand the work we do and are willing to share their experience, advice, and support is one of the greatest benefits of being part of this association.
Our conferences are an important part of that success. They allow us to learn about new products and services, earn the continuing education hours needed to maintain our certifications, exchange ideas, and, most importantly, fellowship with others who understand the vital role we play in keeping our schools safe, secure, and operational.
I also want to recognize our state officers for their support, collaboration, and commitment throughout the year. Their willingness to give their time and energy to this association helps make everything we accomplish possible.
And I want to give a very special thank you to our Executive Director, Kristie Payne. Kristie, your dedication to this association is truly extraordinary. Putting together a conference of this size and quality takes countless hours, tremendous organization, persistence, and a genuine passion for the people we serve. Your hard work and commitment are evident in everything you do. I am incredibly grateful for the support you have given our officers, our members, and me throughout this year. You are truly a blessing to this association, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside you.
As I reflect on my own journey with this organization, I am filled with gratitude. I have been a member since I began my career with Wilson County Schools in 1994. Now, as a retired maintenance director, I realize even more how meaningful the relationships and experiences I have gained through this association have been.
I want to extend my deepest appreciation to this association and its members for allowing me to serve as your State President during this final year of my career. It has been a tremendous honor and one that I will carry with me with great pride. Thank you for trusting me with this responsibility and for allowing me to give back to an organization that has given so much to me throughout my career.
I encourage each of you to continue supporting one another. Reach out to your colleagues, share your knowledge, ask for advice, and collaborate whenever you can. We are stronger together. The work you do every day is essential to the success of our school systems, and the dedication, long hours, and passion you bring to your jobs truly make a difference.
The future of this association is bright because of YOU. Let us continue to build on our successes, support one another, and move forward with purpose and passion as we work together to provide safe, secure, and successful schools across North Carolina.
Thank you for allowing me to serve. Thank you for your support. And most of all, thank you for being part of this incredible association.
With sincere gratitude,
Mark Letchworth
NCPSMA State President
Retired Director of Maintenance
Wilson County School District