ATSSA Signal May June 2020

The Signal | May/June 2020 7 ATSSA News Raymond has Down syndrome and has brought out the advocate in Michelle and Stacy Tetschner. After he became part of the family, they began learning all they could about his condition. They found little beyond textbook material and felt inspired to write something more personal. That led to their first book, “Windows Into Heaven—Stories Celebrating Down Syndrome.” They wrote a second book after encountering negative experi - ences within the school system. “Fully Included—Stories to Inspire Inclusion” was published in 2018 and addresses the value of inclusion experiences for people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities in both public and private schools. “We have found books to provide incred - ible influence when it comes to trying to make change in our world,” he said. Tetschner’s social media accounts also hint at a healthy sense of humor but he says his family would say honesty, and integrity are his best attributes. “What you see is what you get with me,” he said. “Everyone always knows where they stand with me and for those that I become friends with, I am also dedi - cated to helping them find and achieve their greatest success.” DIVING IN AT ATSSA Tetschner arrived at ATSSA with limited knowledge of the roadway safety infra - structure industry, but excited at what he had seen from afar. “The most intriguing aspect was seeing the dedication to truly protecting and saving lives on the roadways,” he said. “That drew me in to know more and ultimately to pursue the position as I knew I wanted to be a part of what was happening here.” As he considered the start of the next phase of his career, he had three major goals for his first year. 1. Having a smooth transition of leadership as Roger moves to the next chapter in his life so we can build on the successes of the past in creating an exciting future for ATSSA. 2. Ensuring ATSSA and our entire team have a clear and easily stated value proposition—who we are, what we do and why you want to belong. 3. Creating a clear path for growth and greater relevance to include increased OnDemand and digital resources so our members have access to what they need, when they need it, and in the format they wish to consume it. As he reflects on his past, he said he’s proud of his journey and the opportu - nities he’s had to work with business owners from all over the world, help - ing them grow their companies and the industries to support them. “I took a job with the California Restau - rant Association to learn membership sales with a goal to get into restaurant food sales. Instead I found I loved the idea of working with an association and helping members succeed in their own businesses,” he said. “I never left asso - ciations and have loved every minute of it since.” Having survived his first sink-or-swim days at ATSSA, Tetschner is eager to see what the future holds. “I want to say how impressed I am with what ATSSA has done to create value and relevance for this industry and I am so excited to be part of this next chap - ter as we increase that value and rele - vance and create the newgood-old-days of ATSSA,” he said. “I am excited for this opportunity!”  To reach Pamela Gould, pamela.gould@atssa.com . ATSSA Board Chair Greg Driskell, center, introduces Stacy Tetschner to the ATSSA headquarters staff, including Director of Member Engagement Pamala Bouchard, left, during a February breakfast. Stacy Tetschner is eager to hear frommembers and set up a second email account to ensure people could reach him without the chal - lenge of correctly spelling his name. Use NewGuy@atssa.com.