On the resignation of Arthur Krause as Financial Secretary, Walter Hemmerling, who had been elected Treasurer for 1965-67, was asked if he would take over and he agreed. Headquarters would be in his home in Napa. Dr. Gerry Rector, who had been Treasurer previously, again took over that job.

Beginning in October 1965, Al Rathbone appointed a committee on office practices: Myrtle Workman, Walter Hemmerling, Louise Jolly, and Dr. W. G. Rector, Chairman.

The committee, included Frank Shallengerber from the division presidents, met on November 7, 1965, reviewed the work of the financial secretary and treasurer, the resources-current and projected- and recommended the consolidation of the two offices. November12th, members of the committee and President Rathbone met in Burlingame where five proposals on the reorganization of the business affairs of CalRTA were outlined.

Through the assistance of Dr. Rector and Walter Hemmerling, the details of these changes are given as a vital section of CalRTA history.

The Five proposals:

1. The office of the financial secretary be eliminated.
2. The Board of Directors be empowered to employ a business administrator to conduct the business of the organization.
3. The office of treasurer be retained; service to be rendered without compensation. The duties would be to review the fiscal records of the business administrator; to make reports to the organization; and perform other duties outlined in the bylaws.
4. The amount of remuneration for the business administrator be referred to the budget committee for recommendation.
5. The matter of finance to obtain the needed office equipment be referred to the long-range planning committee.

February 15, 1966, the five proposals were adopted by the Board of Directors at State Council meeting in Fresno, approved by the division presidents, and unanimously adopted by the CalRTA Council. Shortly thereafter, Walter Hemmerling was employed to serve as the new salaried Business Administrator and an office in his home was established at Napa, where all records were properly stored.

The job of reorganization was completed. Al Rathbone was the man with the concept, Louise Joly wrote the proposals (what a master mind!) and Dr. Gerry Rector furnished the smooth –working committee work to see it through. From her on through the years to the publication of this history (1973), one might say our history is largely written figuratively from the office in Napa for everything comes and goes through that portal.

In February 1968, authorization was given to establish the office downtown in Napa at 1716 Jefferson Street, a brand new office, which would be ready by March 1, 1968. President Al visited Napa and was very pleased with the selection. Administrator was also authorized to employ a full-time secretary and to purchase the equipment a modern office required.

The CalRTA desk and chairs, previously stored in the CTA office in Los Angeles, were sent for. For the first time the membership receipts were stored in protective files instead of dib open wooden boxes. There are files for the membership cards of the current year and for the three previous years. Frequent reference is made to the latter.

The various bank savings accounts were reviewed. Some in checking accounts were put into savings accounts or saving and loan associations. No money was left idle. As dues come in, they are deposited into interest bearing savings accounts and transfers are made to the checking account only as money is needed to carry on the current business.

In 1972 Walter Hammering asked to be relieved of his heavy duty as Business Administrator. At the March meeting, 1971, the Board of Directors approved a reorganization making him Business Consultant and Mrs. Marie M. McKenzie, who had been in the office with him, since 1968, Office Manager. Mrs. Lois Stall is the new Membership Secretary in the state office.

Marie McKenzie was the Napa Office manager, and was offered a job in Sacramento, but decided she did not want to commute. Dee Adams was then her replacement to open and manage the new office location, which was leased from the CTA Credit Union.

Mrs. Dee Adams, formerly head of the Sacramento Legislative team’s office, has been named office manager for the state headquarters of the California Retired Teachers’’ Association.
“Since we have moved our office to our new site in Sacramento,” said Dr. John D. Andes, “we have engaged a thoroughly trained professional staff that will be meeting the needs of our CalRTA members.

Mrs. Adams, a native of Chicago, attended Northwestern and De Paul Universities. Her administrative and secretarial experiences have covered a full spectrum of office and business procedures. She has been employed in various professional capacities including personnel, las, insurance, accounting, and finance. Retiring after serving as administrative secretary to the Sacramento City Teachers’ Association, Mrs. Adams joined the CalRTA Sacramento legislative team and helped to establish and operate the office as well as aiding in the headquarter’s move from Napa in August.

In 1985, David Walrath joined CalRTA as Legislative Advocate, a position he holds to the present day. David has been a key player in every success that CalRTA over the last 35 years.
Susan Goff became the Executive Director in 1991 after Dee Adams retired. Susan presided over the establishment of CalRTA Office at 800 Howe Avenue. Mrs. Goff was also instrumental in hiring the association’s first Director of Communications, Ed Ely, who sadly passed away in 2007. Debbie Pate Newbery joined CalRTA in 2008 as the Director of Communications and continues to serve in that role.

Angelique Hill, who had been with the association since 1989 was promoted to the Executive Director position upon Mrs. Goff’s retirement on December 31, 2004. 

The CalRTA Business Office is currently located at 1900 Point West Way, Suite 212, Sacramento, CA 95815-4704.