ACSA Executive Associate Lori Allred retired at the end of 2024 after nearly 39 years of service to the association, its members and California students.

Allred was the longest serving employee of ACSA at the time of her retirement. Her tenure with the association lasted through 40 different ACSA presidents and nine executive directors. As leaders changed, Allred was a consistent source of knowledge, leadership, and passion within the association.

Allred applied for a job at ACSA at the suggestion of her father, who was an ACSA member. In February 1986, Allred was hired as a receptionist to take phone calls and greet visitors to ACSA’s Sacramento office, which was on L Street at the time.

“My dad was so happy. He was just thrilled that I was working for the association that he represented,” Allred said. “He loved his job. He loved being a school administrator. So I carried that with me my whole life.”

For her entire career, she worked in ACSA’s Executive Department and eventually assumed duties supporting ACSA’s leaders and many tasks that were essential to the operation of ACSA. She prepared agendas for governance meetings, arranged travel and schedules, organized ACSA’s elections process and was a respected leader within the association.

Her position gave her tremendous insight into the responsibilities of serving on ACSA’s Board of Directors. She developed close working friendships with ACSA’s presidents, who corresponded with her frequently during their presidencies. Former president Erin Simon (2022-23) said Allred made sure she felt comfortable during her many travels up and down the state as ACSA president.

“Lori is the person who puts others before herself,” Simon said. “Lori takes care of people, and I’m so proud of her years at ACSA and of her for finally saying, you know what, it’s time to take care of me.”

In her role, Allred also supported ACSA’s executive director by handling scheduling, travel and correspondence.

ACSA recently celebrated Allred’s retirement with an event attended by current and former ACSA presidents and executive directors, Rafael Plascencia, Simon, Charlie Hoffman, Marc Ecker, Wes Smith and Edgar Zazueta.

They spoke of Allred’s reliability, her friendship, and her ability to cheerfully support the association’s leaders through the good days and the challenging ones.

“Lori is the matriarch of ACSA. Lori has been the strength and she has been the comfort when needed,” said Plascencia, ACSA’s current president. “In over 38 years you have not only touched the lives of thousands of administrators but millions and millions of kids. Thank you to your work, your dedication and your commitment to the betterment of our community.”

Smith, who served as ACSA’s executive director from 2013 to 2021, said Allred was selfless in her commitment to ACSA.

“I believe she was the heart of ACSA,” he said. “Whenever we talked about what was going on in ACSA, she always came first with, ‘What is going to best serve our members?’ Always.” “ACSA is better because Lori worked here,” he said.