Incoming Chair Message: 2025 Q4

Howdy CSSA family, and happy holidays to you all!  It’s hard to believe that 2025 is coming to an end, and what a year it has been.  We enjoyed seeing many of you at our holiday parties throughout the state this past month.  Attendance at our signature events – the Napa Conference and Newport Beach Owner’s Summit – saw record attendance yet again, and these marquis gatherings continue to receive high praise from our attendees.  On the legal front, our state faced an unprecedented challenge with California State Bill 709, but through collaboration between the SSA, CSSA leadership, and our vigilant volunteers, we achieved a worthy outcome that highlights the commitment of our members.

As we look forward to 2026, CSSA is pleased to announce that we have retained a top-tier lobbyist firm to continue these efforts and more formally represent the storage sector in Sacramento and beyond.  This was a significant decision for the organization and represents an investment we’re certain will benefit the entirety of our membership.  On that note, a primary focus for CSSA in the coming year is an expansion of the member base.  The past 12 months have reinforced that a large voice is a strong voice, and we’re excited about initiatives to invite more of your peers into the fold.  Look for more news on this front as we get going in the new year.

With the turning of the calendar also comes annual changes amongst your Board, and I want to express sincere appreciation to outgoing Chair Gary Sugarman for his exceptional leadership in 2025.  He led the CSSA through uncharted waters and is leaving us on firmer ground for the future.  While Gary will remain on the Board, we say goodbye, with a warm thank you, to Mike Gong, Jeff Higashi, Ryan Lorenzini, and Nick Walker.  Their many years of dedicated service have been a major influence on CSSA’s ongoing evolution and elevation.  To continue this progression, joining us as new members are Brian Somoza (JLL) and Sarah Swingler (MakoRabco), whom we are pleased to welcome aboard.

Together with the rest of the Board, CSSA is ramping up for our best year yet in 2026.  This would not be possible without the incredible lift from our tireless Executive Staff of Ross Hutchings, Remy McCuistion and Rochelle Morales.  Look for them at Napa, Newport, or online in one of our many Education Events – all highly worth attending – and join me in thanking them for helping make CSSA the premier state self storage organization.

Meantime, all of us here at CSSA hope you have a fantastic finish to 2025 and wish everyone a Happy New Year!

Nathan McElmurry

Chair of the Board