Over the next year, ACSS will be sitting down with the presidents of our 11 statewide chapters for some informal interviews. Look for new interviews to be added monthly.
Amber Siepmann is the president of Chapter 503, ACSS' largest chapter with over two thousand members throughout the greater Sacramento area. ACSS Membership Coordinator Diane Wolff sat down with Amber to talk about her vision for the chapter and moving to the public sector from the private.
Diane Wolff: Why did you join ACSS?
Amber Siepmann: A friend asked me to join. I went to a chapter meeting and saw that ACSS was fighting for supervisors and managers. That they were talking about the problems that I faced on a daily basis. I kept going to meetings and got more involved and informed.
DW: You took on the role of Chapter President when [longtime ACSS leader] Fred Cherniack stepped down. Was it tough filling Fred's shoes?
AS: Fred did so much for the chapter, so I knew that it would be a challenge to maintain his programs and accomplish everything I wanted for the chapter. I had a lot of assurance and support from fellow chapter members, and that has helped me keep the chapter running smoothly.
DW: What are your goals for Chapter 503?
AS: Primarily, I want to expand membership and create a better forum and base for information at the chapter meetings. ACSS works because state supervisors [and managers] are calling the shots. I want to provide a forum for members to speak their mind and create solutions.
DW: What are your plans to accomplish those tasks?
AS: I have lined up a variety of speakers for upcoming chapter meetings to draw interest. For example, a speaker who specializes in legislation to help explain what is happening at the Capitol that could affect our pensions and daily work.
DW: And you recently changed from monthly membership meetings to every other month.
AS: Yes, monthly meetings seemed to be too frequent. We recognize the members are very busy and their time is limited. We're planning a survey that will help gauge what will work best for the most members. Obviously we really want good attendance but we want people to come for the right reasons, for the information and networking, and not for just a free meal. Though the meals are delicious, too!
DW: What sort of challenges do you think ACSS will face in the next few years?
AS: Loss of membership, I think will be a big one. Future state employees coming straight out of college who want to plan for their future won't find working for the state as a stable future. When you reach the supervisor/management level, with salary cuts and increased workloads, there isn't much incentive. Others may prefer to retire because of all of the changes in state service with not much security. That's why it's so important for current supervisors and managers to fight against unfair pension cuts and loss of employee rights and things that have plagued the private sector for years that are now headed to the public sector.
DW: You started in the private sector, right?
AS: That's right. I had worked my entire career in private industry until Congress killed the project I was working on with Aerojet in 1993. My first job with the state was at Soledad State Prison, behind the wall, working in the medical department as a Health Care Cost and Utilization Analyst.
DW: Was transitioning to Corrections from the private sector a challenge?
AS: Walking the main line on my very first day working for the state... is a day I will never forget. I clearly and vividly remember that first day. I worked at Soledad for two years then I went to Mule Creek for two more years, then I went to CDCR headquarters for a bit, then to the Board of Prison Terms, then did some things with CDCR Business Services and now I'm a Staff Services Manager I here at the Division of the State Architect in DGS.
DW: What do you do for fun?
AS: I read, golf, and spend time with my two beautiful grandchildren.