Local 221 Staff
Office of the Controller
Daniel Marks is the Controller at Local 221. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Financial Management from National University. Dan is a Certified Management Accountant and passed the Uniform Examination for Certified Public Accountants in California in 1988. Dan has over 30 years of experience as an Operations Analyst, Controller, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Service Operations. Dan is currently the Accountant and Controller.
John J. Topete is the Accountant at Local 221. He has created a seamless character of professionalism, integrity, and enriched knowledge in the Accounting industry for the past eight years. He attended University of Nevada, Reno, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Marketing. John brings an extensive array of accounting experiences, from Profit, Non-Profit, to Trademark Royalties ccounting to the union.
Bargaining and Training Department
Lois Balfour is the Director of Training and Bargaining at SEIU Local 221. She has worked with SEIU for more than 30 years, beginning in Massachusetts as a member of Local 509, a union that exclusively represented state social workers. She came to San Diego in 1992 from the International Union to work with Eliseo Medina in building strength in a newly affiliated union of county workers. She worked with member organizers and staff to grow the union from 5,000 members in Local 2028 to the 10,000 member strong Local we have today.
Teresa “Terri” Valladolid comes to SEIU Local 221 with over twenty years of experience in organizing, representation, and leadership development as well as experience in contract negotiations. She is tri-cultural and bilingual and has conducted membership trainings not only in English but in Spanish with other member locals in Costa Rica and Puerto Rico. While representing Orange County workers, she won a major arbitration case that brought the employee back to work with back payment of wages and health benefits. Ms. Valladolid is also very involved in the educational community and is elected to the Southwestern Community College Board of Trustees. Terri is currently the Deputy Director of Training & Bargaining.
Internal Field Staff Department
Susan Brondell is the Internal Field Staff Director of Local 221. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from San Diego State University. Susan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has worked in the mental health and social services field for 12 years. Susan was born and raised in Southern California and comes from a family of public servants. She is the daughter of a Los Angeles City firefighter, the granddaughter of a Los Angeles Police Officer and the niece of a fallen Los Angeles Police Officer. A former collegiate athlete, Susan understands the value of hard work, dedication and working as a team to achieve a common goal.
Prior to accepting her position as Staff Director, Susan worked for the County of San Diego in HHSA. She was a Program Manager in the AB2726 program where she supervised staff that provided assessment and case management services to students in Special Education. She was a member of Local 2028 and Local 221, served on the Executive Board and was the founding Chair of the Member Political Organizing Committee.
Alexis English was born in Los Angeles and has lived throughout the West coast organizing for labor and political organizations with the goal of increasing the quality of life for all people. Before moving to San Diego in 2007 and starting work with SEIU Local 221, Alexis worked for Local 775 organizing and bargaining the first contract for the largest private-sector home care agency in Washington State. Today, she represents the members at Poway Unified School District, Grossmont Union High School District, and Fallbrook Union High School District as well as those who work for the MAAC Project.
Michael O’Connor was a rank and file member that worked for the County of San Diego for five years before joining the SEIU staff. He served as an Executive Board member and as President of Local 2028 during 2005 and still a proud member of SEIU Local 221. Michael holds a Bachelors of Arts from California State University of Sacramento (CSUS) and a J.D. from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Michael has been on staff as a Worksite Organizer since December of 2005 and is now a Senior Worksite Organizer assigned to the Cities Division.
Sarah Smith-Withey is a graduate of the University of California Santa Barbara, where she majored in United States History with an emphasis in Labor. She moved to San Diego to attend law school and pursue a career in organized labor. While in school, Sarah worked for the Employee Rights Center, a local agency that helps non-union workers with issues relating to unemployment claims before administrative law judges, wage disputes and National Labor Relations Board proceedings. Although rewarding, Sarah desired to work specifically within a union context, and began working for legacy Local 2028 as a legal research intern, specializing in Cal/OSHA compliance as well as California workers' compensation laws. After finishing school, Sarah joined SEIU full time as a worksite organizer and currently represents County employees within the Public Safety division.
Satomi Zeigler is a native San Diegan who attended UCLA during which she began to work with community-based organizations whose focus was fighting for social and economic justice. In 2005, she began working for American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees International where she worked in the Midwest on new organizing campaigns. After the successful completion of two campaigns that organized over 40,000 workers into unions, she returned to California to work with a local in Los Angeles that represents 20,000 UC workers. In 2008, she returned to San Diego to work with SEIU Local 221 with the hope to help build a stronger union community and movement in her hometown.
Solita Kampley has a Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Technology (Pre-med), an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Certificate, and a Biomedical Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomy Certificate. She has worked in the nursing business for a total of seventeen years as a Medical Technologist volunteer with the American Red Cross at Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital. Prior to working at SEIU Local 221, Solita Kampley worked for the County of San Diego’s Department of Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) for thirteen years. While working for the County, Solita was a shop steward and represented her peers with issues and concerns they had with management. Solita came from Legacy SEIU 2028 and has been working for SEIU Local 221 for five and half years.
Dan Ortiz is a former San Diego County Corrections Deputy Probation Officer that also has extensive experience in the nonprofit and political field. Dan is the former Vice President for UAW Local 4123. Dan also currently serves in local community boards and is active in his community. Dan graduated from San Diego State University with an MA in Political Science with honors and distinctions and is currently finishing up his Master's degree in the same field. He studied abroad at both Oxford University and the Sorbonne in Paris. He is a Worksite Organizer representing the County of San Diego. Kim Martinic has been a Worksite Organizer with SEIU since 2007. Kim is a highly committed professional who has worked for social justice, the labor movement and the public good. Kim has a wealth of practical experience and training at all levels of labor-related advocacy, including organizing, negotiation, conflict-resolution, grievance and arbitration, as well as legislative and ballot political action plans. In her decades-long union commitment, Kim has held the offices of Executive Director and Chief Administrative Officer and member of ESEA Executive Board, Assistant Executive director of the Nevada State Education Association, UniServ Director of Classified School Employees Association and UniServ Director of Clark County (Nevada) Classroom Teachers’ Association. Kim has helped thousands of workers navigate contract negotiations, bargaining, laws, benefit programs, worker's rights and grievances. She has worked tirelessly to insure laws, contracts, and rules are enforced and that workers retain the benefits to which they are entitled.
Lisa Plumlee has a degree in Small Business Management. She currently works as Administrative/Clerical Support.
External Field Staff Department
Dequasia Gardner is the Organizing Director at SEIU Local 221. She was raised in San Diego, but lived on the East coast for 10 years. She returned to San Diego in 2005 after accepting a position as an Organizer with legacy Local 2028. Prior to that, Dequasia worked in SEIU International’s Organizing Department. During her time with the International, she was assigned to organizing campaigns throughout the country; in Midwestern states such as Illinois and along the East coast ranging from Florida to Pennsylvania. Dequasia has also held the position of Staff Director at our Local. She transferred back to our Local’s Organizing Department in the summer of 2007 in order to revive and restructure the organizing program. Over the years, her efforts have helped people employed by hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health care agencies, child care entities, head start agencies, schools and local governments build power, gain respect and exercise their voice at work.
Before joining the labor movement full-time Dequasia was a rank & file union member while she lived in Florida. She also served as the Sustainable Resource Campaign Intern, Membership Coordinator, and Coordinator of Leadership Programs at the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. Dequasia holds a degree in Political Science and is multi-lingual.
James Barbour was born in Mercy Hospital in San Diego. He was raised in Poway. He received his Bachelor's degree from Cal State University, San Marcos in Sociology. He is currently an external organizer.
Joseph Isabelle was born in Mobile, Alabama, but moved to San Diego from Atlanta, Georiga where he attended Georgia Perimeter College and studied Business Administration. Joseph started with SEIU January 2007 on the International Wave Program and was later offered a position here with Local 221 as an External Organizer.
Luz Langworthy is originally from sunny Mexicali, Mexico and grew up in Imperial Valley. She graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration. She currently holds the position of an External Organizer. She has had two years experience in working with nonprofit organizations.
Furman “Bernie” De Arman started working as an External Organizer New Hire through SEIU International WAVE program. Previous work experience includes 20 years in US Navy and military Contract industry as well as 10 years in the hospitality industry in San Diego. Originally from Charleston, South Carolina. He has lived in San Diego since 1985.
Micaela Albujar-Leon was born and raised in Peru and moved to the U.S. in 1985. She is the second of two brothers and one sister. Micaela has been married for the past 25 years and has been blessed with three children, two girls and a boy. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Sacred Heart University in Peru and a Civil Justice Lawyer Degree from Villarreal University in Peru. She loves to sing, read, cook, dance, and write poems. She is currently an External Organizer.
Liz DeRoulet comes to Local 221 with approximately 20 years in both the public and private sector. Her involvement with SEIU started with her employment at the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office at the County of San Diego. Her primary job is to connect with independent employee associations. This allows the Local to enhance the lives of our members and their families. Originally from Kansas, she resides in Oceanside, CA with her husband and son.
Norma Whitaker has been a part of SEIU for 26 years. She began as the receptionist and was promoted to Insurance Membership Coordinator and is currently the Lead Administration Coordinator.
Tanya Estrada is currently a Project Organizer at SEIU Local 221. She graduated from Mount Miguel High School with a High School Diploma in June of 2006. She is attending Southwestern College in hopes of furthering her education in Business Administration at SDSU.
Government and Community Relations Department
Eric Banks-Consedine is the Director of Government and Community Relations (GCRD) at SEIU Local 221. An honors graduate from Binghamton University with degrees in Biology and Political Science, Eric was raised in a working class family in Upstate New York. The son of a Teamster he learned the value of a hard days work and the fundamentals of trade unionism.
Eric joined SEIU in 2001 as a Political Organizer during one of the toughest budget fights in the state’s history. During his tenure, GCRD programming has grown to include the GOP Advisory Committee and budget response teams. Under Eric’s management, the GCRD has developed the ability to address all the political, policy, and community-based needs of Local 221 members.
Before coming to SEIU, Eric worked as the Senior Policy Associate for the New York AIDS Coalition (NYAC). Based in the state capital of New York, he represented over 250 AIDS organizations across the state. Prior to his term at NYAC, Eric developed his policymaking skills at the Southern Tier AIDS Program (STAP) where he dedicated over a year of his life to fighting for people living with HIV/AIDS. Initially hired as a Case Manager, Eric quickly worked his way up to become the Director of Client Services. During his tenure at STAP he started the first treatment education program of its kind in the state, increased accessibility to alternative treatment options, fought to secure funding for agency clients, and secured grants to provide rent and housing assistance to people living with HIV/AIDS.
Eric lives with his husband Brent, in Oceanside, CA.
Mathew Kostrinsky is a graduate of San Diego State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a double minor in History and Psychology. He worked eight years for U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein in Washington, D.C., San Francisco and San Diego covering legislation, outreach and oversight. During his tenure with Senator Feinstein, he was responsible for San Diego and Imperial Counties and was a point person during the 2003 Cedar Fire. Between positions with the Senator, he worked for the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce covering energy, technology and military policy. While there he was responsible for assisting their members through the 2000 California energy crisis. Prior to joining SEIU, he ran his own consulting business, educating clients on how to work with state and federal agencies. He also managed a very contested and high profile San Diego City Council election in 2005. He has 15 years experience working with government at all levels, 20 years political campaign experience and has proven he can break down barriers and give a voice to the underserved.
Carlos Marquez was hired in 2007 as a Worksite Organizer and later as a Representative for the Department of Government and Community Relations. Carlos Marquez is well versed in both the representational and political aspects of public employee engagement and advocacy. Prior to joining SEIU Local 221’s staff, Carlos worked in the nonprofit sector for the American Civil Liberties Union’s National Legislative Office and the United Way of America as a Public Policy Fellow. Carlos was also a reporter for a local monthly publication and continues to freelance during his free time. Carlos is a graduate of San Diego State University with a B.A. in Political Science.
Jacob Regalado is a Government and Community Relations representative specializing in municipal government relations and campaign messaging. His previous experience in constituent relations, political campaign strategy, and marketing, provides a unique approach to working with members of SEIU Local 221 and elected officials. In the past, Jacob has worked as a consultant for GE Capital, Copperpoint Communications, Guajome Park Academy, Vista Main Street Association, Idea Manufacturing Xperts and the City of Oceanside.
Melinda Battenberg is the Communications Specialist for SEIU Local 221. Melinda started her career as a journalist, working at a small daily paper and later an alternative weekly paper. She then moved into politics, working briefly as a legislative aide for a State Representative. Blending her interest in politics and journalism, Melinda worked for the Ohio Senate as the Assistant Director of Communications for the Democratic Caucus for over five years. After her time at the Ohio Senate, Melinda worked for SEIU 1199 WOK in Columbus, Ohio. She moved to San Diego to work for SEIU Local 2028 and later Local 221.
Christa Fink earned her general Associates Degree through Palomar College and then received a design certificate from Interior Designers Institute. In her spare time she is preparing to finish her Bachelor Degree in Graphic Design. She currently works with the Government and Community Relations Department, which has been an adventure for her, as she has traveled to both New Hampshire and Tennessee to assist with campaigns.