More than 300 attendees gathered in Long Beach Sept. 27-29 for ACSA’s Personnel Institute. Attendees from throughout the state attended sessions that centered on the theme, “Human Resources: The Heartbeat of Every Organization.”

Keynotes from Rick Rigsby and John Gray both informed and inspired HR leaders. A panel for first-time attendees gave them a chance to hear advice from veteran HR administrators on ACSA’s Human Resources Council.

Each year at the Personnel Institute, the Human Resources Council gives out the Ray Curry Award to an outstanding HR professional. This year, it was given to Heather Williams, assistant superintendent of Personnel Services in Riverside County Office of Education.

An ACSA member since 1994, Williams has served as the Region 19 representative for the ACSA Human Resource Council from 2017 to 2020 and co-chaired the Personnel Institute in 2019 and 2020. She was elected to complete the vacant one-year term of the HRC President for the 2021-22 school year and was then re-elected to serve a full three-year term as the ACSA Human Resource Council President from 2022-2025.

Williams has contributed to the field of personnel both locally in her county office, which supports 23 districts, and statewide. Williams worked with ACSA to have Senate Bill 478 authored and successfully passed, resulting in personnel representation during review of educator misconduct. Additional contributions include serving on the State Superintendent of Public Instruction Workgroup on Teacher Shortage in 2019, transitioning the first statewide ACSA conference held virtually (Personnel Institute) and presenting on personnel topics at multiple conferences and organizations.

“Dr. Heather Williams is an outstanding professional whose dedication to enriching communication, fostering employee engagement, and cultivating collaborative partnerships is truly commendable. … With her adeptness and the support of her skilled team, her accomplishments stand as a testament to her exceptional capabilities. She has played a pivotal role in broadening the visibility of employment opportunities and establishing a culture of respect and employee-centricity within the division,” said Ruth Perez, Ed.D., deputy Superintendent of Schools, Riverside County Office of Education. “Dr. Williams’ leadership, resourcefulness, and commitment to delivering exceptional service make her an outstanding role model in every aspect of her professional journey. We feel truly blessed to have a professional of her caliber on the Superintendent’s Cabinet.”