Bio Statements: Council 75 Convention Delegate
Below are the bio statements for the candidates who are running to be elected as a delegate for Oregon AFSCME Council 75’s 2025 Biennial Convention.
Cassie Barton
I am seeking to serve as a delegate to the AFSCME Council 75 Convention because I am deeply committed to advocating for our members and strengthening our union. As Secretary of Local 328, I have worked to ensure transparency, communication, and engagement among our membership. I understand the challenges we face, from proposed changes to compensation structures like SPES to broader issues of pay equity and workplace protections.
Being a delegate would allow me to represent our members’ voices at the council level, ensuring that the policies and decisions made reflect the needs of frontline workers. My experience in both union leadership and direct patient care as a pharmacist gives me a well-rounded perspective on the importance of fair contracts, safe working conditions, and the power of collective action.
I believe that an engaged, informed, and proactive membership is the key to our success. If elected, I will advocate for policies that protect and strengthen our rights, and I will bring back valuable insights and strategies to help our local grow even stronger. I would be honored to represent Local 328 at the convention and continue fighting for our members.
I appreciate your support!
Michael Bernier
I am excited to stand for election as a representative of our union. While I’ve been at OHSU for the past two years, I bring over two decades of experience at the University of Vermont Medical Center, where I served as a union organizer, lead negotiator, and steward, and was nominated for the Board of the Technical Workers Union. Throughout my career, I have been a strong advocate for both patients and coworkers, fighting for fair wages, safe staffing, and a workplace built on respect.
I know the tactics management uses to divide and intimidate workers—I’ve experienced them firsthand. But I also know how powerful we are when we stand together. I have negotiated contracts, pushed back against unfair policies, and helped lead successful union efforts that gave workers a real voice.
I am committed to ensuring that our union remains strong, effective, and ready to fight for every member. With your support, I will continue to stand up for all of us.
Kindly,
Michael Bernier R.T.(R)(CT)(MR)(ARRT)MRSO(MRSC)
Angelo Bologna
My name is Angelo Bologna, and I’m a lead steward and Local 328 board member. You may know me from steward meetings or the bargaining wrap-up videos. I’ve accepted the nomination to attend convention, and I hope to bring my ideas on workplace organizing, economic and political justice, and building people power to AFSCME’s state convention. Endorsement: jennie olson, local 328 president
Sean Bovett
Hello Union Siblings!
I am Sean Bovett and I am asking for your vote to be a delegate to the Oregon AFSCME C75 Convention. My hope is that by being a delegate I can not only participate and speak to your issues in this important convention, but also that I can bring back to you all the critical information. Making sure our membership is informed of the happenings of our union is one of my highest concerns, and if this is also a concern of yours I would love to have your vote. For Bread And Roses.
Evan Bowman
Greetings Fellow AFSCME 328 Members,
My name is Evan Bowman and I am asking for your vote to represent your interests at the AFSCME Oregon Convention. I have been a proud AFSCME member since I started at OHSU in 2001. Presently, I am a Project Coordinator in ITG working on business process standardization and improvement. In addition, I have been privileged to serve as IT Chair for our local since February, 2024. I am one of our lead stewards, focusing on grievance work. I also serve as Media & Communications Co-Chair of Higher Education Labor United since May, 2024 and was recently appointed Vice-Chair of that illustrious organization.
My focus has always been on creating effective coalitions. I have built networks of union power within AFSCME Council 75 as well as other union organizations in Oregon. I am also very interested in building an active and activated membership. I have done this work by increasing engagement through our technology, hosting events and training new stewards. I would like your vote so that I can continue to keep forward movement front and center in the labor movement.
Solidarity forever,
Evan
Bryan Brock
Hi, I’m Bryan Brock, a proud card-carrying member since 2006 and a recent local 328 executive board member seeking your vote to be a delegate for the statewide meeting. I’ve been learning about and participating with our E-board over the last 6 months, and I am interested in increasing my exposure to AFSCME operations and bringing organizing ideas and momentum back to our local union. I believe the excitement and energy at the Council 75 meeting from those with different experiences and knowledge about collective action from across the state will provide me with inspiration for more effective individual advocacy and a more impactful local union.
If elected as a delegate I will treat the role with the highest level of respect and will represent our local with pride, taking the duties of vote casting for state-wide priorities and elected offices seriously as I advocate for our membership. I humbly request your vote for this important duty.
In Solidarity, Bryan
Mark Chapman
Fourteen years working in a Human Neurology Research lab in an unclassified position.
Seventeen years working in Facilities Maintenance in classified positions.
In my third term as a Local 328 Board member.
Five plus years as a Unit Steward, Investigatory Steward, and the Board's representative on the OHSU OSHA Safety Committee, including a year and a half as Chair.
Local 328 delegate for two International Conventions, two AFL-CIO Conventions and one Council 75 Convention.
My experiences as an Investigatory Steward have made me aware of the problems classified employees face. My experience as a Board Member and past delegate have prepared me for the structure of convention business and the use of Robert's Rules of Order. As a delegate, I believe I would be an effective representative of Local 328 members.
If selected, I intend to refuse the per diem expenses and use VAC time if needed instead of Lost Time in order to preserve Local 328 resources for bargaining.
Please vote for me.
Regards, Mark Chapman
Juan Chavez Jr.
Hello all, my name is Juan Chavez Jr, and first I would like to thank our members for considering me to be one of the delegates to represent out local at Council 75’s convention as I am truly honored. I have worked at OHSU and been a member of our union for six years now as a biomedical technician. I am a union steward and am currently representing our union on the bargaining team which I have to say has been some of the most rewarding work I have done in my career. I have been working for 29 years now, and this is my first union job, I have felt the difference and place value on representation and collective bargaining. We are stronger together and I don’t think the hospital has seen our true strength. I humbly accept this nomination and your consideration to represent our union at the coming convention.
Trisha Crabb
My name is Trisha Crabb.
I am running to be a delegate for our local in the OR AFSCME Election and Convention taking place in May.
Convention is seen by some as an expensive vacation wasting membership dues dollars. What convention is though is our ability to manage our union as our tool to carry our voice into the statewide arena. Here in Portland, we can often be unaware and disconnected from the wider reality of Oregon - as of SW Washington and Idaho or Northern California or even Montana. These are our sibling AFSCME NW regions, they are our strength, and we have to participate in community with them all in order to build solidarity and power.
I firmly believe that since OHSU is a state resource and since leadership likes to market and advertise us as a critical resource for all Oregonians and our NW region, we do have a responsibility to participate in how our dues are invested in the people of the region. We are accountable to both our members here in the metroplex, and those who have moved and enjoy different opportunities to live and work remotely throughout the PNW and beyond. They way we do that is through attendance and active participation on our conventions - these events are the elections for the leadership that represent us in Salem and in Washington DC. We have a large and powerful collective voice, and we have a responsibility to participate in how it is used.
Sarah Curtis
Hello union siblings! My name is Sarah Curtis and I am currently the Chief Steward and Political Action Chair for our union, as well as on our bargaining team. I have previously served as Vice President and as a delegate to many conventions.
It’s vitally important to me to attend this convention because I am running for President of Oregon AFSCME, and the election will be determined by the delegates at this convention. I want to serve as our President because I strongly believe in our union being a member led organization that empowers workers all over our state to stand together and fight for our rights. Over the past three years I have devoted a significant amount of time and energy into building relationships with elected officials and passing laws that will benefit all our members, such as the Hospital Safe Staffing Law and campaign finance reform, and I am excited for the opportunity to lead our union statewide in securing better wages, working conditions, access to healthcare, and more.
I want to bring a sense of community back to our union by establishing a welcoming union hall, where our members can drop in, have a meal, and talk with our leadership about the issues that are important to them, and where we can gather together to share ideas and build solidarity.
I am asking for your vote so together we can build Oregon AFSCME as our union that celebrates diversity and where all have a sense of belonging.
Matthew Deneff
My name is Matthew Deneff and I am running to be a delegate for the AFSCME Council 75 Biennial Convention. As a union steward, I have been committed to helping my colleagues understand our contract and their rights as workers. Ensuring that we are informed and empowered is essential to strengthening our union and protecting what we’ve fought for.
This would be my first time attending the convention, and I am eager to learn from experienced union advocates to best represent our interests, voice our concerns, and work toward policies that improve our working conditions, wages, and job security. By engaging with other labor leaders, I hope to bring back valuable strategies and insights that will benefit our local members.
I would be grateful for your support and the opportunity to serve as your delegate to continue advocating for our members on a larger scale.
In solidarity, Matthew Deneff
Dinah Gilbert
Hello there, I’m Dinah Gilbert. I have been a member of AFSCME Local 328 for 26+ years, working in Centralized Managed Care. I am committed to advocating for the rights and well-being of our workers and ensuring that our union is strong and united. Over the years, I have developed a broad understanding of the challenges and barriers we face in our workplace and the importance of securing fair working conditions. I was born and raised in Portland. I love my city and community.
As a dedicated member of our union, I was elected to the 2025 Bargaining Team. I am passionate about standing up for the rights of workers, ensuring fair treatment, and supporting policies that foster respect, equality, fairness and equity. I’m not afraid to speak up for what’s right and what’s fair.
I’m running for a seat as delegate for the upcoming Oregon AFSCME Council 75's Statewide 2025 Biennial Convention because I believe in the importance of strong representation. I work for you and will ensure that our collective voice is heard and that we are well-represented in every decision that affects us all.
I would love your support and your vote.
Thank you!
Sarah Haquani
I believe in action, not just ideals. A union isn’t just a concept, it’s a force for good, a foundation where we come together to protect what matters most: integrity, inclusivity, and the opportunity for everyone to thrive. In a world that’s constantly changing, it’s crucial that our systems evolve to meet the needs of everyone, especially those often overlooked. Our union must ensure that no one is left behind; the strength of our community depends on it.
I’m running for delegate because I know we cannot fit everyone into a one-size-fits-all solution. Equity isn’t just a word; it’s our daily responsibility. It’s about making real commitments, driving real change, and ensuring all members have what they need to thrive, not just survive.
Talking about change is easy, but true progress happens when we act, even when circumstances aren’t ideal. When we work together, we build a stronger, empowered network of people, who are proud of their work, with agency to adapt and grow as the world changes. That’s the future I’m fighting for.
Emily Haug
I’ve worked at OHSU for 6.5 years as a pediatric social worker at Doernbecher within the Care Management department. After years of seeing OHSU engage in degrading and dishonest behavior, I decided I wanted to find ways to be more actively engaged with AFSCME. By bringing a social work perspective and framework to the table, I hope to identify ways we can strengthening our union and engaging more members.
I’d like to continue learning more and gaining further experience with AFSCME to help in ways that help shape our union for the better by participating as a delegate at this years AFSCME Convention.
Currently, I am a member of the OHSU and AFSCME Staffing Committee tasked with ensuring employees voices are engaged and heard as OHSU works towards submitting staffing plans to the Oregon Health Authority for various inpatient job classes. I’ve enjoyed hearing from members roles and responsibilities within OHSU which have highlighted many job roles feeling an increase in employee and patient needs.
As someone with a social work background, I believe all voices and experiences are important. I believe in equity and justice and believe it is important for our union to engage with similarly beliefs in mind.
I have been endorsed by our AFSCME Local 328 President, Jennie Olson.
Thank you for the consideration.
Emily Haug, LCSW
Katy Holmes
Dear Union Members,
My name is Katy Holmes, and I am a pharmacy technician working in our Ambulatory Pharmacy department. I’ve worked in several areas at OHSU, including Doernbecher Infusion, Community Hematology Oncology, and the Center for Health and Healing. Since 2021, I’ve served as a unit steward, supporting my department, and assisting members across various sites.
I’m requesting your vote to represent our Local as a delegate at the Oregon AFSCME Council 75 Biennial Convention.
I’ve had the honor of serving as an At-Large member of our Local’s Executive Board since 2021 and as a member of the Bargaining Team during the 2022 contract negotiations. Additionally, I hold the position of Labor Co-Chair on the OHSU/AFSCME Labor Management Committee.
You've probably seen me around at union events, tabling, meeting with members, or working on our 328 Day events. In my previous work at our satellite locations, I made it a priority to ensure that the voices of all members—no matter where they work—are heard and valued.
I’m passionate about helping others and fostering a supportive work environment that people are excited to come to every day. As a delegate, I want to participate in votes that impact our Local, grow my ability to serve our members, and collaborate with other leaders to bring new ideas for improving our workplace.
I ask for your vote so I can continue to advocate for our union and work towards making it stronger for all members.
Thank you for your consideration!
Kyle Jones
For the past seven years, I have worked as a pediatric swing shift pharmacist at OHSU, serving patients and collaborating with colleagues to provide the highest level of care. I have seen firsthand the dedication and hard work of my fellow employees, and I believe we deserve a union that truly represents all workers—one that listens to our concerns, stands up for our rights, and fights for fair wages, benefits, and working conditions.
I am committed to strengthening our union to ensure it remains a powerful advocate for every member. I believe in transparency, inclusivity, and proactive action to address workplace challenges. Whether it’s fighting for safer working conditions, fair treatment, or stronger job security, I will work tirelessly to make sure our voices are heard and respected.
With your support, we can build a stronger, more unified workforce—one that protects our rights, values our contributions, and secures the respect and resources we deserve. I would be honored to represent you and advocate for a better future for all OHSU AFSCME employees
Aaron Kawamoto
I am honored to have the opportunity to represent our membership and your interests at the state level. I have worked at OHSU for over 10 years. I currently serve as our union's staffing committee co-chair, am an active unit steward, have served on our previous bargaining team, and am a former board member.
My late grandfather instilled the passion I have for unions and the communities they build so I believe in the power of our local and in the strength of our collective voice.
The challenges ahead of us (especially now) are significant, and the decisions made at the convention will shape the direction of our union for years to come.
If elected as your delegate, I will advocate for:
Ensuring Our Right to Collective Bargaining: We need to ensure that our collective bargaining agreements remain strong and our rights are upheld. I will actively promote and work towards this.
State-Wide Worker Safety: I am currently fighting for safe staffing levels and patient safety at OHSU, and want to help all our represented workers across the state.
Solidarity Across All Locals: Our fight for livable wages and dignity doesn't stop at the doors of OHSU. I plan to build stronger alliances with other AFSCME locals ensuring that all our union siblings are taken care of.
It is an honor to serve our local, and I humbly ask for your vote.
I am endorsed by Jennie Olson.
Kathy Le
As a member of our bargaining team, I have been actively working to represent our union members at the negotiating table, fighting for fair wages, benefits, and working conditions. I want to take that commitment further by representing Local 328 at the Council 75 Convention this spring.
Attending as a delegate would allow me to become more involved in our union’s work, learn from other union activists, and help shape the policies and priorities that impact all of us. I believe in the power of collective action and want to ensure our voices are heard at every level of our union.
I would be honored to have your support and the opportunity to continue advocating for our members in this new capacity.
Alyssa Ledesma
My name is Alyssa Ledesma, and I am honored to be nominated as a delegate for Oregon AFSCME Council 75’s Statewide 2025 Biennial Convention. I have been a member of AFSCME Local 328 since 2021 and am deeply committed to advocating for fair treatment, equity, and the rights of all union members.
I am a certified Sensitive Exam Teaching Associate (SETA) and Trainer at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), where I teach healthcare professionals how to perform safe, empowering, patient-centered, and trauma-informed chest and pelvic exams. I lead a team of 20 SETAs and am a certified Trauma Informed Care Trainer, dedicated to ensuring that patient care is rooted in dignity and respect. In addition to my work at OHSU, I serve as Chair of the ASPE GTA-MUTA Special Interest Group and President-Elect of the International GTA MUTA Association, where I help shape best practices in medical education.
In 2023, I initiated and successfully navigated a grievance process through AFSCME to advocate for fair pay for myself and my team. This experience deepened my understanding of the negotiation process and the critical role unions play in fighting for equity. I believe my experience in advocacy, leadership, and negotiations will allow me to effectively represent and support our members at the state level.
I am committed to using my voice to push for fair treatment, workplace protections, and equitable compensation for all. I would be honored to serve as a delegate and would sincerely appreciate your vote.
David Lee
Hello, I am David Lee. I have been a pharmacist at OHSU since 2013. I am a passionate advocate for workers' rights and a committed member of AFSCME. As a Unit Steward and a member of the 2025 AFSCME bargaining team, I believe in the power of unions improve working conditions and ensure fair treatment for all employees. I am driven by a strong sense of fairness and a desire to create a more equitable and supportive workplace for all workers in Oregon.
Theresia Lloyd Siemer
Hello Local 328 membership,
I am asking for your vote to send me as a delegate to Oregon AFSCME‘s council 75 convention this year. This will be my last year as a delegate for our local . I would like to be on their election committee for council. I have been a trustee for Oregon AFSCME for the last 10 years . It has been a pleasure to serve council 75 as a trustee and on our executive board at Local 328. I have worn many hats on our Executive Board in my 25.5 years as leader, investigator Steward and unit Steward . Again I’m asking for your vote to send me to convention to serve you one last time as a board member as one of your local leaders and as a member of this great local.
Thank you, for your consideration.
In solidarity,
Theresia Lloyd Siemer
Brittany Malley
I’m a mother of four, married to my high school sweetheart, and have lived in Oregon most of my life. I’m currently pursuing a bachelor’s in healthcare administration at Western Governors University. With 10 years of healthcare experience, including 7 years at OHSU and 3 years at Legacy Health, my career began with volunteering in the ER at Kaiser Permanente and Legacy Health, which ignited my passion for healthcare.
Throughout my career, I have focused on improving operational efficiency across clinical, back office, and remote settings, while fostering inclusive environments and advocating for professional development. At OHSU, I manage the PDRP program, supporting AFSCME students’ educational and career growth within the CWE Center.
I believe that diversity is essential for effective leadership and decision-making. I am committed to amplifying the voices of all our members and ensuring our council reflects the diverse perspectives of the community we serve. My passion lies in helping others grow and creating spaces where everyone can thrive.
I would be honored to serve as a delegate, bringing my leadership, experience, and commitment to inclusivity to AFSCME Council 75. As a long-time union member, I understand our goals and challenges. With a track record of fostering teamwork, streamlining processes, and advocating for equity, I am committed to supporting the growth of our union and empowering all voices.
Allison Milian
Community is tantamount to successful organizing—whether for a small neighborhood event or when fighting for the rights of our colleagues and ourselves, knowing how to engage and communicate with each other is necessary. As a steward for Richmond Family Medicine and recent board trustee for our union, my responsibility to ensure my fellow union members are accurately and powerfully represented drives me forward. Caring for the well-being of all goes beyond the work I do with our union. As an organizer for BikePOC (where we put together free cycling events for people of color) and CODECA youth (composed of diasporic Guatemalans who inform others on Central American affairs and fundraising for the needs of migrants), I’ve been able to put the passion I feel for serving my community into practice. My goal as a delegate for Local 328 at the Statewide Convention is to identify how our regional locals can connect and strengthen each other in our fight for adequate and fair rewards for our labor. By engaging with others, I hope to improve my ability to advocate for my colleagues in the way they deserve. At the core of my stewardship is the aim to improve our teamwork and the obligation to proudly represent even the most marginalized voice of our OHSU community. My community, composed of every single OHSU worker, can be sure I will be a resource for us at this event.
Tabatha Millican
Vote for me, Tabatha Millican! I work at OHSU as a financial analyst. For the union, I am a steward, on the bargaining team, and serve on the executive board. If elected to represent our local at the convention, I will vote for leadership that focuses on bringing more power and resources back to the locals. I also want to start an organized plan to fight back if public unions are targeted by the federal government.
While on the board, I am serving as the chair for the dues cap committee. On this ballot we have the chance to change our dues structure to be more fair. Removing the dues cap will allow us to create a strike fund, have a stronger contract defense, pay more workers for time off to organize to help build a more robust union, and in doing so create more leadership opportunities. If you make under $41, your dues rate will not change until you make more. If you make $41 or more, your dues rate will be in-line with your lower paid colleagues. This dues change will gradually phase in over three years, changing when we receive our cost of living raises. I truly believe that this is needed and the best way to create more funds for our local. Please vote yes to change our constitution for a fair dues rate that will allow our union to grow stronger!
Please vote to send me to the convention!
Aaron Moore
Aaron Moore is a relatively new Steward in FNS, who has been working to build solidarity in FNS, and making sure management adheres to the contract. He is constantly sharing what is going on in the Union with his fellow members, as well as attending various events to better serve his fellow members, and network with other stewards in Afscme and other Unions. Some of his accomplishments have been shared in the local 328 blog, and he hopes to inspire others to become Stewards to better serve our members.
Kerry Moore
As a proud member of AFSCME Local 328’s Executive Board for the past three years, I am deeply committed to advocating for our members and strengthening our union. While I have yet to attend a statewide convention, I see this as an invaluable opportunity to expand my knowledge, sharpen my skills, and bring back strategies that will empower our local during this critical bargaining year.
Attending the Convention will allow me to learn from experienced union leaders, collaborate with fellow AFSCME members from across Oregon, and explore new ways to engage and mobilize our membership. I take the responsibility of representing our union seriously and will ensure that our member’s voices are heard in every vote I cast.
Strong unions are built on active participation, bold advocacy, and collective action. I am ready to step up, learn, and bring back this knowledge and experience to benefit our members. I would be honored to represent you at this year’s convention.
Jillian Norton
Hi everyone!
I’m Jillian, a Pharmacy Technician III at CHO (Community Hematology/Oncology), where I mix infusion drugs. I float among all five clinics, so I’ve had the pleasure of working with many of our members. I began my journey at OHSU’s Doernbecher back in 2021, serving as both an Inventory Technician and a Meds 2 Beds Technician.
Though you might not know me personally, I’m a passionate union supporter who wholeheartedly believes in the power of unions and the idea that our collective people equals power. Over the past year, some might say I’ve even become a bit of an AFSCME contract aficionado, which has proven incredibly helpful to me and many fellow members.
I’m currently a full-time student working toward my PharmD, which limits my ability to hold a long-term union role. However, serving as a Delegate for the Oregon AFSCME Council 75 Statewide Biennial Convention is a perfect opportunity for me to use my skills and voice to represent us all.
I live by two mottos:
“Hard things are hard, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do them.”
“I am going to change the world.”
I would be honored to have your vote and the chance to serve as a Delegate!
Brianna O’Loughlin
Union activism is not just what I do—it’s who I am. As a third-generation union member, I have seen firsthand how the power of solidarity transforms the lives of working people and strengthens our communities.
I am proud to serve as a Lead Steward, Local 328 Executive Board Member, and Northwest Oregon Labor Council Delegate, where I fight every day for workers’ rights, fair wages, and strong contracts. Our union’s strength comes from those willing to lead, organize, and advocate. That’s why I am committed to ensuring every worker has a voice and a seat at the table. Whether it’s defending our rights at OHSU, pushing for pro-worker policies in Salem, or forging alliances across the labor movement, I will always stand up for what’s right. At this critical moment for labor, we must be bold, united, and relentless in our pursuit of justice. I would be honored to continue this fight with your support. Together, we will build a stronger, more powerful AFSCME.
In Solidarity, Brianna O’Loughlin
Jenn Roemer
My name is Jenn Roemer, I am honored to be nominated to represent AFSCME Local 328 at the Oregon AFSCME Convention as a delegate. I’ve been a Respiratory Therapist here at OHSU for 5 years. I have the honor of serving on the 2025 AFSCME Local 328 bargaining team. I am a union steward and I also serve as a staff representative on the Safe Staffing committee to negotiate worker protections. I continually strive to do what is right for our members, our Union, and our community. The Local 328 membership at the OHSU, and the work we do together is nothing short of inspiring. If elected, I promise to be a fierce advocate for our members.
Michael Stewart
Over my nearly twenty-one years working at OHSU, I have served the members of our local as steward, board member and officer. It would be my honor to once again represent Local 328 at our state convention. It is important that we continue to move our council in the right direction as we face the challenges of an administration that is hostile to federal and state employees. To successfully fight back we must have leaders who will aggressively defend not just our members but working people across the country. As the largest local in the state of Oregon we play a vital role in determining who leads our council. I humbly ask for your vote to be part of 328’s delegation. Michael Stewart.