Page 9 - The Edge - Summer 2021

My brother Henry encouraged me to run for an
AASBO board position. I decided to run for
Director of Membership – and I won. But, during
my campaign for Vice President, my son Ernesto
Meza Jr., became critically ill. He needed a bone
marrow transplant to cure his blood disorder.
We were told he had a 50% chance of survival.
Irene, my wife, and I were terrified. We knew we
needed to do everything in our power to support
Your K12 dream team for dining
our son. I approached John Fung, who was then- services and facilities management
Executive Director of AASBO, and the AASBO
Board of Directors, asking to remove my name
from the race for Vice President. John and the Food kids love to eat Industry leading equipment
The largest team of chefs & dietitians Superior cleaning guidelines
Executive Board encouraged me not to withdraw, Fun, innovative programs Focus on clean, safe and healthy facilities
to continue the campaign, and if things did not
work out I could always resign. I will always
remain grateful to these people for this heart-felt For more information please contact:
Tyler Geopfert Chartwells Regional Sales Director
advice. My son is now 100% healthy and he and e. Tyler.Geopfert@compass-usa.com
c. 480.500.5066
his wife have given Irene and me two wonderful
grandsons. Nikki Crider SSC Regional Sales Director
e. Nikki.Crider@sscserv.com
c. 480.861.6109
I served on the AASBO Board of Directors
for about 13 years, with my last position as
Immediate Past President.

I have so many people to give thanks to for Director is at Deer Valley Unified School
helping me during my career as a School District – 32 schools, by far the most I have ever
Business Official. Two individuals stand supervised.
out. The first is my brother Henry, who had
encouraged me to take AASBO classes and run June 30, 2021, will be my last official day
for office. Secondly is Brian Mee, my mentor, a as a School Business Official after 39 years
former AASBO President himself, and currently of working with some truly great people and
Executive Director of AASBO. Brian had faith schools. I am forever grateful to all the members
and confidence in me when he promoted me who have crossed my path and taught me a
to Director of Maintenance, Operation and thing or two about being a successful School
Transportation for the Murphy School District. Business Official. I especially have to thank the
I worked for Murphy School District for 25 AASBO organization as a whole for being the
years. I then was hired at Pendergast Elementary key to my success. I will continue to encourage
as Director of Transportation under the direct young school personnel to become involved with
supervision of Brian Mee. AASBO to be the best School Business Officials
they can be.
I retired from ASRS in 2009 after 28 years and
remained retired for about eight months. Since
then I have worked at numerous districts (double
dipping). My last district as Transportation

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