Elva Parker wears many, many hats, which is why she is so deserving of recognition. Her role spans both the grants team and the Economic Development Office, providing crucial assistance on both large and small projects. She offers direct support to grant specialists, the media specialist, and much more. Her duties include invoicing, supplying materials, and clerking multiple committees, such as the Sequoia Tourism Council, Tulare County Water Commission, and the Agriculture Advisory Committee.
Elva worked for Tulare Works for seven years before taking an 11-year hiatus. She then returned to public health for a time before joining the RMA, where she has now been for almost two years. Although Elva has a lot on her plate, her mindset is optimistic, knowing that her skills were crafted with time and patience.
“Learning anything new is a challenge at first, but I think anything worthwhile is going to be just that,” Elva said. “A challenge is not going to come as easy as one would probably like, but I think that with training and giving yourself patience, you could overcome that.”
One of Elva’s joys of working at the RMA is its collaborative nature. Although employees’ jobs are often independent, Elva said that everyone relies on each other for different things. One department that stands out to her is the Payroll Department for their kindness and willingness to help.
“I just remember wondering if that knowledge would ever come, or if it is ever going to become second nature. I can't say that it's second nature, but maybe it's like one and a half nature.”
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Elva’s favorite part of the job is knowing that everything the RMA does—every position—makes a difference to people in Tulare County. The grants team has continually brought in new funding to make projects come to life, with the EDO supporting and retaining small businesses. There have been many accomplishments, such as bringing sidewalks to communities, fast-speed internet to different parts of the county, various groundbreakings for businesses, and much more.
“I also help monitor one of our programs that offers grants and deferred loans to people who need modifications and repairs on their homes—just different things to make their quality of life better,” Elva said. “Working here at the RMA, there are so many ways that the positions I’m a part of really bring a better life to residents.”