The J. Tillman Hall Staff Award for Service to USC is presented to Jo and Art Ochoa. The Ochoa’s have provided exemplary leadership in a variety of roles on the Staff Retirement Association (SRA) Board, including serving as Co-Vice Presidents and Co-Chairs of Hospitality. They became SRA Board Members in 2005 and were the second “team appointment” to a leadership position on the SRA Board of Directors.
As Co-Chairs of Hospitality for four years, Jo and Art made the Annual Holiday Celebrations for USC retirees a joyous and successful event. Jo had a major role in planning the logistics for these events, including negotiating with Town and Gown to move the event from the Galen Center to the center of campus. Art always contributes to the holiday spirit by picking up centerpieces, arranging tables, and greeting guests with his special brand of warmth and sincerity. Also, they successfully organized many events throughout the years including Homecoming and the Spring and Fall General Membership Meetings. They have been willing to help wherever they are needed.
As SRA Vice Presidents, they were excellent organizers of the SRA Recognition Luncheons for several years. They also represented the SRA at the Retired Faculty Association (RFA) Board of Directors’ meetings when the SRA President was unable to attend. The Ochoa’s were asked to originate a Memorandum of Understanding among the SRA, RFA, and the Emeriti Center for the Annual Holiday Celebration.
Art was appointed SRA Ambassador to the Half Century Trojans, USC Alumni Association.
Jo retired in 2004 as Program Manager from the USC Division of Biokinesiology & Physical Therapy on the Health Sciences Campus, after twenty years of service within the same division. In 2008, Jo was appointed Membership Chair and Events Committee Chair on the USC Physical Therapy Alumni Association Board of Directors. Jo is a USC Ambassador appointed by the President’s Office.
Art retired in 2004 from the County of Los Angeles, Probation Department. He is currently Chair of the Executive Board of Directors for the County of Los Angeles, Reserve Deputy Probation Officer Program, a position he has held for six years. Art has been a Reserve Deputy Probation Officer for over twenty years.
The Ochoa’s long-time involvement with the SRA Board has provided continuity and collective memory across several changes of officers. Jo and Art Ochoa are wonderful ambassadors, not only for the SRA, but for all USC staff retirees. The Ochoa’s strongly encourage all USC staff retirees to become involved with the SRA Board of Directors. It has been an exciting and enriching experience for them, and it gave them the opportunity to stay connected to the Trojan Family.
Award presented to Jo and Art Ochoa on March 20, 2014