J. A. Thomason
1969-1971
When “Tommy” took charge it was with a determination to improve the image and raise the prestige of the retired teacher in California through a definite program of activities.
- Making use of local news media;
- Participating in local service club activities, as well as local church functions;
- Becoming acquainted with, and discussing with the local lawmakers the problems of everyday society. Lawmakers include city councilmen, county supervisors, and state legislators.
This program was promoted through the State Officers and through each division. It soon began to show and take effect. Local leaders no longer left it all to state leaders; they contacted lawmakers in their own communities, accumulated records of participants by retired teachers in various groups. This impressed the governor.
The legislative work had progressed on the state level under Chairman Bob Gillingham.
Fortunately, we had two able individuals enlisted in our cause. Michael Thome and E. Richard Barnes. Michael Thome from Minnesota was selected by the State Teachers Retirement Board to be its chief executive officer. The legislature employed the firm of Peat, Marwick, and Mitchell, Auditors, to make a study of the Retirement Systems. The voluminous report made it startlingly clear that rapid action was needed to insure the solvency of the fund. Not only did the legislature get the message, but Thome carried it to many parts of the State. It was the foundation we needed for a “package bill” to rectify the situation.