This month, Senior Accountant Grazyna Buchowiecki commemorates 20 years of maintaining accounting data in the general ledger and providing accounting support to the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority’s (California JPIA) finance director.

Buchowiecki, who joined the Authority as a junior accountant in May 2003, was promoted to accounting specialist in July 2006 and to senior accountant in July 2013. She credits her career advancement to her willingness to learn and her supervisors’ recognition and encouragement.

“One of the things I admire most about Grazyna is the high standard that she sets for herself,” said Deputy Executive Director Alex Smith. “Grazyna inspires and motivates the whole team with her dedication, work ethic, and passion for excellence. We are incredibly grateful to Grazyna for her many contributions to the finance work of the Authority, and for providing superb accounting support to staff, members, and business partners.”

Buchowiecki discovered the California JPIA while looking to reenter the workforce after spending time as, she said, “a stay-at-home mom.” Previously unfamiliar with the role of joint powers authorities, she researched the risk management pooling industry and found it interesting: “It amazed me that the California JPIA, with such a small staff, was able to help so many agencies.”

Working at the California JPIA has allowed Buchowiecki to develop professionally while providing excellent service to the Authority’s member agencies and learning with a great team.

“My role and knowledge have evolved while working at the Authority,” she said. “The Authority’s employees are experts in their fields. I have the opportunity to work with and learn from them.”

Buchowiecki embraces opportunities to represent the Authority at professional conferences and learn from other local government leaders. In March, she joined California JPIA Communications Director Olga Berdial and Administrative Analyst Lyndsie Buskirk at the 2023 Municipal Management Association of Southern California’s Winter Forum.

“Grazyna is a tremendous asset to the Authority,” said Administrative Services Director Nikki Salas. “Her commitment to high-quality work and kind-hearted nature have had a significant impact on the Authority’s success over the past 20 years.”

Buchowiecki, who holds a degree in economics from the University of Economics in Katowice, Poland, has contributed to the Authority’s success by providing excellent and timely service to members and staff.

“Grazyna’s conscientious work ethic has made her an integral part of the Authority family,” said Salas. “Her contributions are highly valued, and we appreciate her so much.”

Providing innovative risk management solutions for its public agency partners for more than 40 years, the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (California JPIA) is one of the largest municipal self-insurance pools in the state, with more than 120 member cities and other governmental agencies. Members actively participate in shaping the organization to provide important coverage for their operations. The California JPIA provides innovative risk management solutions through a comprehensive portfolio of programs and services, including liability, workers’ compensation, pollution, property, and earthquake coverage, as well as extensive training and loss control services. For more information, please visit the California JPIA’s website at cjpia.org.