In the final Customer Impact Committee (CIC) meeting of 2023, Jody Lusby, Director of Administrative Services at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, stepped down after three years as chair of the committee and welcomed Eric Lau, Assistant Deputy Director of Administrative Services at the State Water Resources Control Board, into the role.
The CIC serves as a formal mechanism for agencies and state entities to provide input to the Department of FISCal (FI$Cal) executive team, and helps shape FI$Cal system enhancements, services and training. During bi-monthly meetings, FI$Cal partners and end users receive reports from working groups and FI$Cal staff, as well as updates on enhancements, trainings, reports and more. Participants also have the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.
In attendance at the year-end meeting was Jennifer Maguire, Director of FI$Cal. She thanked Lusby for her service, noting that Lusby has been a longtime participant in the CIC and recognizing the impact she has had on the FI$Cal system and services, “Jody has been instrumental in assisting departments with several significant enhancements and changes. We are thankful for all that she has done in increasing CIC engagement and encouraging users to bring their concerns and share solutions to learn from each other.”
Prior to becoming chair in 2021, Lusby served as the vice chair of the committee from January 2018 through December 2020. She led the Robotic Process Automation (RPA) working group, which recommended various RPAs currently used by departments today. She also introduced the best practices/lessons learned sessions in 2021, one of her proudest achievements during her tenure. Said Lusby, “These sessions provide department end users with an opportunity to share ideas and collaborate with each other, and create relationships that allow them to reach out to each other outside of our formal CIC meetings.”
With Lusby ending her time as chair, FI$Cal is excited to welcome Eric Lau as the new chair of the committee. Lau has over 30 years of experience with the state, and has served as the bureau chief in the Accounting and Fiscal Systems Branch at the California Department of Social Services and as chief accounting officer with the California Department of Public Health prior to joining the Water Resources Control Board. “As the CIC chair, I hope to continue to share information, ideas and challenges with state departments. We will continue to contribute to developing additional improvements to fulfill our ever-changing operational needs.”
The CIC is a user-led group that meets virtually on a bi-monthly basis. For more information, departments can visit the CIC web page or contact us at fiscal.cmo@fiscal.ca.gov.