Ronald (Ronnie) Cunningham:
CLASS OF 1973
Pasadena High SchoolClass of 1973
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena City CollegeClass of 1975
Pasadena, CA
Ronald (Ronnie)'s Story
Life
My life has been truly blessed. I've struggled to endure the hardships of life and learned some very painful, but valuable lessons along the way. I know that I've lived long without the proper balance which has cost me dearly. By God's grace at age 65, I now know that its the relationships which are more important that anything else in life. Further, that elusive happiness we all seek can really only come from within and not through others, material things or accomplishments. I now understand the meaning of living one day at a time and living it to the fullest; each day is another blessing not to be taken for granted.
College
It is amazing that it has been over 45 years since graduating from Pasadena City College. I wish now that I had continued to a four year university. After working for many years, I thought I would so good to return to school for further education. I did, right back to PCC in 2001, but this time not as a student, but an adjunct assistant professor with the Engineering and Technology Department. I taught building construction and inspection classes for 15 years until 2016. Prior to retiring from the City of Los Angeles, an uncle and mentor encouraged me to return to school to finish my education. I enjoyed a successful career with just my GED and an AA. At age 56, I did return to school after 35 years being out and earned a Bachelor degree in business from the University of Phoenix in 2012. Figuring that I probably would not be able to take another 35 year break, I continued and earned a Master's in Biblical and Theological Studies from Knox Theological Seminary in Ft Lauderdale, FL. in 2015. It is never too late to learn!
Workplace
In 1987 I began a career as a building mechanical inspector for the City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety. In 1999 I transferred to the City's Housing Department as was recruited and promoted to Sr. inspector to help develop the City's Systematic Code Enforcement Program (SCEP). I played a key role in developing that program and in 2005 SCEP won Harvard's Kennedy School of Business Innovations in Government Award. That su...Expand for more
ccess led to me being promoted to principal inspector and an assigned as the Housing Department's emergency management coordinator.
I worked in that capacity for the Housing Department's over 600 employees. In that role I taught individual preparedness as well as coordinated disaster response efforts with the other 40 city departments. I was involved in catastrophic planning on a local, regional and federal level. I taught safety assessment program training to inspectors and engineers for the State of California. I've served on various Board of Directors, Trustee Boards and special committees. In 2013, I retired at 58 as a principal inspector/emergency management coordinator from a 26 year distinguished career with the Los Angeles Housing Department.
Post-Retirement Career
I joined the John Maxwell Team on 2013 and I now an executive director, certified coach, speaker and trainer, parenting and family coach, Maxwell Method DISC Consultant and also a certified emotional intelligence/positive psychology practitioner, I love learning and helping others reach their potential.
A couple of years after retiring I decided to get out of my comfort zone (Southern California where I had lived all my life) and moved to the Atlanta area in 2015 to be close to my brothers, sisters and oldest two grandson. In 2016, I met someone special we got married and now live in both the Atlanta, GA and Denver, CO areas.
I am President/CEO of a Georgia-based non-profit Ryan's Village USA dedicated to developing youth and young adult leaders around the world. This organization was created in memory of a 23 year old son, Ryan I loss to an auto accident in 2007. I am also President/CEO of Growth by Design Pasadena dedicated to developing individuals, groups and organizatons.
I am extremely grateful for the journey God has allowed me to make and by His grace I will be able to make a positive difference in the life of future generations. Since I have been blessed to go from a knucklehead who dropped out of school in the 11th grade to who I am becoming, others can do the same and much more and I want to show them the way.
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