Greetings, APAGR members,

As I stand before you today, I do so with a heart filled with gratitude, humility, and pride.

My journey with APAGR began as a Board member in 2019. From 2019 through 2024, I had the privilege of learning, serving, listening, and working alongside people who truly believed in this organization's mission. In 2024, I was entrusted with the honor of serving as Chair, a responsibility I have never taken lightly. Leadership is never the work of one person. Whatever we have accomplished was made possible because dedicated people were willing to step forward, speak up, and serve, even when the work was difficult and the hours were long.

To all past Chairs, Vice Chairs, Board members, and Representatives: thank you for your patience, guidance, selflessness, and willingness to do whatever was needed. Most of all, thank you for the ultimate sacrifice of your time. You gave up time with your families, your personal responsibilities, and sometimes your own rest in service to this great organization and its members. That sacrifice will never be forgotten.

To the APAGR membership, thank you for trusting me. Thank you for letting me represent your interests, listen to your concerns, advocate on your behalf, and stand beside you through both challenging and rewarding moments. I haven't had every answer, but I have always led with honesty, fairness, courage, and a genuine concern for every member.

APAGR has always been about more than contracts, grievances, meetings, and negotiations. It is about people. It is about dignity in the workplace, fairness in how employees are treated, and the strength that comes from standing together. As I prepare to close this chapter, I remain confident about APAGR’s future. Leadership will change, new challenges will come, and the workplace will continue to evolve, but our strength must remain rooted in solidarity. We may not always agree on every issue, but we must never lose sight of what unites us. When we support one another, stay engaged, and speak with a collective voice, APAGR will remain respected, effective, and strong.

The future of this organization belongs to each of you. Stay involved. Attend meetings. Ask questions. Support your representatives. Encourage new leaders to step forward. Most importantly, never take the power of unity for granted. An organization is only as strong as the members who are willing to stand together. It has been one of the greatest honors of my professional life to serve APAGR, from my years on the Board to my time as Chair. I leave this role knowing that we have made a difference, built meaningful relationships, and strengthened the foundation for those who will lead next.

Thank you for your trust, your support, your friendship, and the opportunity to serve. May APAGR continue moving forward with courage, purpose, and solidarity. Together we have stood. Together we served. And together, APAGR will remain strong.

Thank you, and God bless each of you.

Ken Godwin, APAGR Chair