Meet the New IMSA Board President, Ray Parmigiani

Ray Parmigiani of the Arizona Section was sworn in as president of the Board of Directors at the 2026 Forum and Expo in Spokane, WA. The IMSA Journal recently sat down with Parmigiani to discuss his path to leadership, his vision for the organization and the priorities that will guide his presidency in the coming year. 

IMSA Journal: What inspired you to get involved with IMSA, and what led you to pursue the role of board president? 

Ray Parmigiani: I first became involved with IMSA at the encouragement of coworkers who were active at the section level. Their experiences made it clear that IMSA was a great way to deepen my involvement in the industry and build meaningful professional relationships both locally and nationally through the annual Forum and Expo. Working in traffic engineering, public safety has always been at the core of what I do. That commitment to elevating safety, professionalism and collaboration within the public safety and traffic operations communities is what initially led me to join the international board as a director‑at‑large. 

As I became more engaged, I saw how much impact IMSA had on the people who keep our communities safe every day. Pursuing the board presidency was a natural next step. I wanted to help shape the organization’s future, support the professionals who rely on IMSA, and give back to the field that has shaped my own career. 

IMSA Journal: As you begin your term, what is your vision for IMSA and its role in advancing public safety? 

Parmigiani: As I begin my term, my vision for IMSA is to reinforce our position as the leading authority in public safety certification and professional development. Our industry is evolving rapidly from connected and automated vehicles to smart city infrastructure, and IMSA must continue to evolve right alongside it. My goal is to ensure we remain the trusted organization that equips professionals with the knowledge, standards and support they need to keep communities safe. By modernizing our programs, strengthening our partnerships and staying ahead of emerging technologies through expanded webinars and educational offerings, we can continue to elevate the profession and advance public safety for years to come. 

IMSA Journal: What are your top priorities for your presidency? 

Parmigiani: During my term as president, one of my main goals is to strengthen the connection between the international board and our sections. I really want people across the organization to feel informed, supported and heard. I’m also focused on nurturing a culture where responsibility and accountability are shared values, and where our processes feel clear and consistent for everyone. As part of that, we’ll be reviewing and updating our bylaws to reflect the structure and expectations that will help us move forward together. 

IMSA Journal: How is IMSA evolving to meet the changing needs of today’s public safety professionals? 

Parmigiani: IMSA is evolving by staying true to our mission statement: providing quality certification programs for the safe installation, operation and maintenance of public safety systems and delivering value to our members through the latest information and education in the industry. We are continuously updating our programs to reflect new technologies, best practices and safety standards so our certifications remain relevant and trusted. We are also strengthening partnerships and increasing consistent engagement across our sections to ensure members at every stage of their career feel supported. All of this helps IMSA stay aligned with the changing needs of today’s public safety professionals while keeping safety at the center of everything we do.

IMSA Journal: With advances in artificial intelligence, smart technologies and connected systems, how should IMSA adapt to stay ahead? 

Parmigiani: IMSA’s mission doesn’t need to change, but the tools, technologies and expectations around it do. By embracing AI, strengthening standards, modernizing training and deepening engagement, IMSA can remain the trusted authority in public safety and infrastructure for decades to come. 

IMSA Journal: Workforce development remains a critical issue. How can IMSA help attract, train and retain the next generation of professionals? 

Parmigiani: Workforce development is one of the most significant challenges facing our industry today. Public agencies and construction companies are struggling to hire experienced, certified professionals, and the talent pipeline simply isn’t keeping pace with demand. While some sections have taken the initiative to develop their own training programs to prepare individuals for industry roles, access to these opportunities is inconsistent. 

I believe the Education Advisory Committee (EAC) can play a key role in addressing this gap. I would like to see the EAC develop a standardized, hands-on training course that all sections can offer locally as preparation for the Technician I prep course. This would create a more uniform baseline of knowledge, strengthen workforce readiness and support sections that may not have the resources to build their own programs. 

In the meantime, I’d encourage sections that already have successful training initiatives to partner with those that do not. Sharing expertise, materials and best practices would help elevate the entire organization and accelerate workforce development across all regions. 

IMSA Journal: How do you plan to strengthen engagement with IMSA’s members and sections? 

Parmigiani: Strengthening our connection with members and sections remains one of my highest priorities. IMSA’s greatest asset has always been the dedication and expertise of its members and ensuring they feel supported, informed and valued is essential. This year, board liaisons will take a more active role with their assigned sections, offering clearer guidance and more consistent communication to better support local leaders. In addition, I will host regular Town Hall Meetings to exchange ideas, address concerns and highlight volunteer opportunities at the international level. When our sections are strong and our members are engaged, the entire IMSA community benefits. 

IMSA Journal: What does success look like at the end of your term as president? 

Parmigiani: Success at the end of my term means IMSA is stronger, more connected and better positioned for the future. I want to see measurable progress in modernizing our certification programs, deeper engagement across our sections and clearer alignment in how we support our members. Most importantly, success looks like a membership that feels heard, supported and confident that IMSA is leading the way in public safety and emerging technologies. If we can achieve that, then we’ve set the organization on a solid path for the years ahead.

IMSA Journal: On a personal note, what keeps you motivated, and what might people be surprised to learn about you? 

Parmigiani: My community keeps me motivated, and I define community broadly. It includes my family, my friends and the colleagues and partners I’ve been fortunate to work alongside both at the City of Mesa and within IMSA. Their support, their belief in the work we do and their commitment to public safety inspire me to stay focused and keep pushing forward. 

People are often surprised to learn there isn’t much mystery about me. I’m basically an open book with a very large cast of supporting characters. I’m lucky to be surrounded by a big, loving family: my wife, Donna, our blended crew of four adult children and their families, including five energetic grandchildren. And then there are our two senior dogs, who are absolutely convinced they run the entire operation. Family is the center of my world, and they keep me grounded, grateful and laughing every day.