Page 12 - The Edge - Summer 2019

SPRING CONFERENCE WRAPUP

By Don Harris
David Lewis and Charlotte Gates Named AASBO MVPs

It was David Lewis’ final event as Charlotte Gates, recognized as a special
Executive Director of AASBO – the Spring person who has been an integral part of
Conference - capping eight successful years AASBO for more than 20 years, was awarded
as winner of the organization’s new Most the organization’s initial MVP award.
Valuable Player award. Gates, Director of Business Services
Chuck Essigs, AASBO Director of for Sahuarita Unified School District, was
Government Relations, described Lewis as introduced at AASBO’s Spring Conference
strong and dedicated. He noted that AASBO on April 5 by Lizette Huie, Business Services
has a long history of successful Executive Coordinator at Sahuarita USD.
Directors – only four over a 60-year period, From 1997 to 2006, she served on the
and all of them have done great things to AASBO Board of Directors. She was AASBO
make AASBO grow from what it originally President in 2004-2005.
was. “You’ll find her friendly face at each
Essigs conceded that he initially had AASBO event making memories, helping
some concerns about Lewis, because the others, and sharing her knowledge wherever
previous Executive Directors had all been she goes,” Huie said. “Her dedication, tireless
school business officials – and Lewis was not. commitment, hard work, and leadership
“It seemed to me that’s what you needed to to public education and to AASBO are
be an Executive Director for AASBO,” Essigs unbeatable. She truly is in a ‘League of her
said. “David proved that’s totally wrong for Own.’ I’ll try not cry, because there’s no
what he has done for our organization.” crying in baseball, right?”
Lewis exemplified what AASBO is all Charlotte Gates and David Lewis, AASBO Huie said of Gates: “She values the school
about – helping a neighboring district do MVPs business profession and exemplifies service,
the right thing. That kind of sharing of integrity, and support of others. She has
information, Essigs said. been affectionately nicknamed the ‘Godmother’ of AASBO, but
“I’m sad to see him leave,” Essigs said. “I kidded him when he to me, I call her a great colleague, best mentor, and awesome
applied for the ASBO International job. I wished him luck – not a friend. I’ve been blessed to have her by my side to show me the
lot of luck, but I knew at that time that he was probably going to tricks of the trade and to encourage me – well maybe a little push
be selected. I’ll miss him as a friend and I know AASBO will miss at times – to come out of my comfort zone. So today it is with
him for all he has done for the organization.” great honor to recognize Charlotte Gates as one of AASBO’s Most
Lewis thanked AASBO members for the rousing reception Valuable Players!”
he received and confirmed that he had accepted the position of Charlotte took the stage, smiling broadly, and fighting back
Executive Director of ASBO International. Lewis reemphasized tears, said: “Thank you sooo much. As many of you know, I am
what had been said about the spirit of AASBO – the willingness retiring in June and I owe my whole career to AASBO. When I
to help each other. started out in a small school district, I didn’t know anything
“We’re all doing this, sometimes under very difficult about school business.”
circumstances, under-funding and all those types of issues” An auditor recommended that she join AASBO, an
he said. “The thing is, we recognize this is for education. We organization that would help her in her job, but she had to
are trying to help a foundation of our democracy – public promise that one day she would become AASBO President.
education. We need to be doing all we can at every level for “And I thought, WOW,” Gates said. “I started coming to AASBO,
public education.” and I will tell you first-timers, it’s so important. You’re on a
Lewis praised each member of the AASBO staff, and said pathway to a great journey. When I went to a meeting, actually
leaving is bittersweet. “I will miss everybody,” he said. “You guys I’m really shy. Most people don’t believe that. A board member
have become like my family. I keep telling myself I’m not leaving took my hand and said, ‘Oh, is this your first time?’ I said, yes.
for good. I’ll still have my house here. I will definitely try to get And she said, ‘Come, sit with me.’ Before I knew it, I was on a
you guys to come to ASBO International, and I’ll certainly be committee.”
coming back to ASBO Arizona as well. I wouldn’t have been able To all AASBO members, Charlotte urged: “Open your heart.
to get this next job if it weren’t for Arizona ASBO – learning from You have networking. This is the best place to be because you
each other. Trying to take that next step is the same for me.” guys are awesome. I owe it all to you.”

12 THE EDGE | SUMMER 2019