REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE SPOTLIGHT

ROXANNE BRECEDA, CMC, DIRECTOR OF NETWORKING

Can I get a show of hands as to how many look up to this rare gem of a clerk? Yup, I can agree!

I met this month’s Regional Representative Spotlight at the 2021 CCAC virtual annual conference. “Boards, Commissions, and Committees…Oh My!” was the conference session. I recall a practice tip she provided to work with your city attorney to create your own AB1234-compliant program. It’s an honor to spotlight Kerry Bigelow, a clerk with excellent skills and knowledge, a committee member, and a proud mama!

KERRY BIGELOW, MMC, MPA CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CITY CLERK REGION 9, SAN DIEGO COUNTY

How did you get started in the clerk’s world?

I’m a 2nd generation city clerk. My mom is a retired city clerk, having worked in appointed and elected city clerk positions in several cities. My first city clerk-related role was around age 10 when I made $0.10 per file folder to adhere the numerical filing stickers. My dad was an economic development consultant working for local government agencies in California and overseas. So I always knew I wanted to go into local government as well. I started working for the City of Chula Vista in 2004, serving in a couple of departments before making my way to the City Clerk’s office in 2012. My passion is changing the perception of local government. I have worked with and know so many intelligent, hard-working, innovative public servants. I enjoy the opportunity to help people have a positive experience connecting with their local government and see that government agencies can be innovative, forward-thinking, and efficient.

What is your secret to keeping yourself organized, and how are you able to meet your deadlines?

I am a huge proponent of continuous improvement (CI) of processes and have been practicing CI formally for more than 10 years and informally for 20. Streamlining processes so we can carry out duties faster, more accurately, and more consistently has contributed to our team’s success. I also love a good checklist. I often use handwritten to-do lists (there really is something about checking that box!) but incorporate technology for reminders, follow-ups, and ensuring I meet deadlines.

What advice would you give to a fellow clerk?

Some advice I received that has served me well is to raise your hand. Raise your hand for new assignments and opportunities, even if they are out of your scope or comfort zone. I have met so many incredible people inside and outside my organization. I have also been exposed to programs that I wouldn’t otherwise be aware of and learned new things. Also, you can lead from anywhere in your organization. You don’t need to be called a manager, department head, or city clerk to be a “leader.” Acting in a leadership capacity on a project gives you the freedom to conduct a little social experiment. Pick a leadership skill you want to work on—relationship building, innovation, motivation, decision-making, negotiation—and intentionally look for opportunities to exercise it throughout the project. Keep track of what you experimented with, how well it worked, and what you might want to adjust for next time. And no matter how seasoned you are, there’s always room to learn and improve.

What is one of your favorite places to eat or visit?

My son, Tristan, and I took a spontaneous trip to Fairbanks, AK, in December 2021. We had a blast meeting sled dogs, snow machining (I learned the proper term for “snowmobiles” while I was there), visiting North Pole, and chasing the Northern Lights. Of course, we took the opportunity to visit city hall (my son was a bit less excited than I was) and met the City Clerk and City Attorney, who very kindly gave us a tour. We will definitely be back!

And yes, I continue to have the session documents refer back to them occasionally and tab and highlight sections.