South Region Representative Candidate: Aaron Sanchez

What motivates you to be a part of APRA Leadership?

I am motivated to be part of APRA Leadership because I value building connections and supporting the growth of our profession. I had the pleasure of chairing the 2024 APRA Conference in Tucson, AZ and networking with professionals across the state, and I want to continue building those relationships while contributing to the success of the association.

 

What do you envision as the primary function of the position you are seeking and what skills do you have that would most benefit the Association if elected to the position?

I envision the primary function of the APRA Southern Region Representative as serving as a bridge between members in the region and the larger APRA organization, ensuring that local voices are heard and supported. I see this role as an opportunity to strengthen ties between APRA members by sharing resources and create meaningful opportunities for collaboration and professional growth. I believe I am hardworking, organized, creative and a team player, that will bring new ideas and dedication to the Southern Region while supporting APRA’s overall mission.

 

One of the greatest challenges facing APRA is the delivery of innovative and applicable professional development opportunities. What approach would you employ towards identifying potential training opportunities and how would you determine their overall effectiveness in meeting the needs of the membership? What strategy would you utilize for the development and implementation of these development opportunities?

I would continue to attend trainings and conferences and encourage others to attend education sessions to learn and build connections that often lead to training opportunities for their teams. I would survey members to identify priority topics and ensure trainings are practical and relevant. Effectiveness would be measured through feedback and participation, and I would focus on coordinating a mix of workshops, team-led sessions and networking outings/socials to make professional development accessible, impactful and fun.

 

How do you plan to engage with members in your role on the board and what goals do you have to help improve the overall member experience?

I plan to engage with members by introducing myself through a welcome email to the Southern Region members and organize a meet & greet event to establish early connections and open communication. The goal is to ensure members are supported and connected to the available APRA resources and bring in new members.