It is with very heavy hearts that the PARMA Board of Directors can confirm earlier postings of the sudden passing of Southern California Chapter Chair DeAnna Soria. Besides being a tremendous Mother, Grandmother, Wife, and HR Director at the City of Huntington Beach, her other true love was being part of the PARMA organization. DeAnna was initially a Vice Chair in the Southern California Chapter under current PARMA President Paul Zeglovitch, who was serving as the Chair.  DeAnna eventually took over for Paul as Chapter Chair when he moved to the PARMA Board of Directors.

Paul remembers DeAnna as completely committed to making PARMA the best it could be.  “DeAnna had such a passion for the PARMA organization, and it really showed through in the development of the Southern California Chapter. Prior to her taking over, meetings would routinely have about 40 participants. DeAnna grew that to over 100 per meeting!  In the process she not only educated a lot of her peers but made that chapter into a real community of risk management professionals that loved being around each other. DeAnna also forged a lot of really great friendships along the way”

One of those friendships was with Tyrone Spears, Director of Workers Compensation for the City of Los Angeles and her current Vice Chair. Tyrone had this to say about DeAnna “DeAnna was a dedicated leader, a respected risk professional, and a driving force behind the strength and success of our Chapter. Her commitment, professionalism, and willingness to serve will leave a lasting impact on all of us and the broader risk management community.” 

Indeed, DeAnna left a legacy, one which we will be memorializing in the coming years. She was taken way too early, but let’s remember all the fun times we had with her and the blessing she was on all of us, personally and professionally. Thoughts and prayers are with her daughter Marlena, her husband Hector and the rest of her family.