NICK ODENATH
PORAC Treasurer

First, I want to thank all those who supported me in my run for PORAC treasurer. A special thank-you to the Ventura County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association (VCDSA) board and my wife for encouraging me to run and supporting me each step of the way. I am excited to take on this new role within PORAC and to ensure continued financial prudence in my role as treasurer.

PORAC has such an amazing legacy in establishing protections for all law enforcement officers in California. I have seen this organization continue to grow and evolve to ensure PORAC members receive the best benefits and legal protections available. As the principal fiduciary, I will work to ensure we have the financial resources to continue to provide the best to our members. I know there are many of you who do not know me, so let me give you a little background.

I am a sergeant and 21-year veteran with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. I have worked many assignments during my tenure, including custody, patrol, court services, SWAT operator, narcotics detective, human trafficking investigator, jail facility watch commander and unit supervisor.

I am currently the president of the VCDSA and have served a total of 10 years with the VCDSA as a director and then president.

I have served PORAC in many capacities as well. I have been a trustee on the Insurance and Benefits Trust, served as the vice president for the Tri-Counties Chapter and, most recently, have served on the Executive Committee as an at-large director for Region III.

My goal is to provide you with articles that speak to some of the core fiduciary issues that are relevant to all of our members’ organizations. Although I am focused on my primary roles as PORAC treasurer, I also believe one of my functions at PORAC is to provide enhanced training and assistance to all of our member organizations. Understanding the basics of labor union functions is important but can often be an afterthought.

My articles will provide PORAC members with a basic overview of topics centered around fiduciary obligations, budget overview, financial analysis, investment considerations and much more. In fact, I encourage you to reach out to me with topics that you are interested in better understanding or issues that are impacting your organization. PORAC works with experts in this space, and I will be working with them to produce relevant content for each of you.

We are not taught these important functions in the academy or in field training, yet the moment we are elected onto our labor union boards, we are expected to know them. I don’t want to see any of you in a situation in which your fiduciary obligations are being called into question. My hope is that these articles will help you to clean up any issues you might have with your union finances.

I wish each of you the best and look forward to meeting you soon! Stay safe!