Chapter 509 - Elections Nominations 2024

Nominees:
(Candidates are listed in random order)

Chapter President

  1. Abdou Iyagarou, California Health Benefit Exchange – Supervising Program Technician III
  2. Christy Beeler, Department of State Hospitals – Unit Supervisor


Vice President

  1. Marlena Scherer*, Department of Corrections & Rehab – Nursing Consultant


Secretary/Treasurer

  1. Carla Pimintel*, Department of Corrections & Rehab – Supervising Dental Assistant


Delegates (5 Delegates + 1 Alternate needed)

  1. Teresa Bowen, Department of Corrections & Rehab – Supervising Correctional Cook
  2. Anthony Sinatra, Department of Corrections & Rehab – Correctional Sergeant
  3. Christy Beeler, Department of State Hospitals – Unit Supervisor
  4. Camila GuerraCalifornia Department of Public Health – Health Facilities Evaluator Manager II
  5. Nina Thomas, CDCR - Supervisor Of Correctional Education Programs
  6. Joseph Artellan, CHP – Public Safety Dispatch Supervisor I
  7. Marlena Scherer, Department of Corrections & Rehab – Nursing Consultant
  8. Ingrid Flores, Department of Corrections & Rehab – Supervising Registered Nurse II
  9. Marika Walker, California Department of Public Health – Health Facilities Evaluator II
  10. James Lopez, CDCR - Construction Supervisor II
  11. Valencia Norwood, Department of Corrections & Rehab – Correctional Case Records Supervisor

 

* Uncontested, elected by acclamation

 

 

 

 

Candidate Statements

(200-words or less)

Joseph Artellan

Statement for Delegate
I have been a state employee for nearly 32 years. I am currently a Public Safety Dispatch Supervisor I with the California Highway Patrol. I am a veteran of the United States Air Force. My prior experiece includes being a board member with the California Highway Patrol - Radio Dispatchers Association, Central Division representative for nearly 5 years. My wife and I have been married for 36 years, we have three children, and 3 grand children. I look forward to bringing my experience and positive attitude to serve all supervisors statewide.

Teresa Bowen

Statement for Delegate
As a Delegate for ACSS, I will stand up as a voice for all of us! Hello, my name is Teresa Bowen. With my 19 years of experience in the Department of Corrections, I have acquired a vast number of skills and knowledge through the many positions I have held. I am a single mother of 3 who resides in Bakersfield Ca. My two oldest followed in their father's and my footsteps and are also employed with State jobs. My youngest is the President of her 8th grade class and the captain of her basketball team. In my spare time I volunteer at my Church for our Security Team. Prior to promotion I was a Union Steward for SEIU Local 1000, Bargaining Unit 15. I want to be a voice for all excluded employees. I have a passion for fairness. I believe in the mission of ACSS. As a Delegate I would not back down from a challenge. I will work hard to represent California State Supervisors, Managers and other excluded employees. A vote for Teresa Bowen is a vote you can believe in. God Bless!

Camila Guerra

Statement for Delegate
My name is Camila Guerra and I have been employed by the California Department of Public Health for 18 years now. I have worked my way up from being a Health Facilities Evaluator Nurse for 5 years, to then being a Health Facilities Evaluator Supervisor for 8 years, to Health Facilities Evaluator Manager I for over 3 years to now being promoted to the Health Facilities Evaluator Manager II for the Bakersfield District Office. It is this experience that I have acquired that provides me the relevant leadership skills in promoting our members’ interests in their service to our fellow Californians. I feel the California State Supervisors and Managers need someone who will advocate and represent our Chapter 509. It is with my past experience that has placed me in a prime role as I am familiar with reviewing policies, reviewing rules/regulations and I have the communication skills needed to discuss key issues and represent Supervisors and Managers. Give me an opportunity to make a difference for you.
Thank you,
Camila Guerra

Abdou Iyagarou

Statement for Chapter President
I have twelve years of call center experience in both performing the job and supervising a team. Over twenty years of successful experience in Management for Major retail stores. Extensive Leadership Training and recipient of countless Leadership Awards including 2015 Superior Team Achievement Award by Covered California. Successfully completed the State of California two weeks’ basic supervision trainings. I possess strong communication skills both verbally and in writing. I lead an efficient team providing outstanding customer service and making sure that customers are receiving the best experience while navigating the health benefit exchange. I possess a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a second Bachelor of Science in Statistics with a minor in Mathematics. Furthermore, I have a Master of Science in Statistics. I am used to working with various Analytics and Statistical Software Such as Excel, SAS, Minitab, SPSS, and SQL, Microsoft word and Outlook just to name a few. I have worked with large data sets and am able to provide analysis on large and complex data sets. I treat everyone with respect, and I am open to feedback. I follow the universal approach to managing and tailoring to fit individual learning style.

Carla Pimintel

Statement for Secretarty/Treasurer
I am an outgoing, organized, committed to learning and developing best practices for managing routine activities in an efficient and effective manner. I bring a positive go get them attitude with a personal touch. I have worked in my profession since 1992 with a promotion to supervisor in 2009. When I am not at my profession you can find me exploring in my jeep and or razor, hiking with my dog, hanging out with family and friends, riding horses, as well as camping. I'm always ready for new challenges and opportunities to grow. From 2022-2023 I volunteered as the secretary for my 4x4 jeep club (Ready 2 Rock) and feel with my experience I can be a great addition to your team.

Marlena Scherer

Statement for Delegate and Chapter Vice President
I have almost 15 yrs. experience working for the State of California in Correctional Health Care Services at both the Institutional and Headquarters levels. I am currently employed as a Nurse Consultant Program Review in the Public Health Infection Prevention Program. My work has afforded me the opportunity to collaborate with individuals from numerous departments across the state. I believe my choice of career shows that I am dedicated to improving health and wellness in the lives of those I serve. I have also served as the ACSS Chapter 509 Vice-President since the Fall of 2023. The mission of ACSS is to improve the working conditions for its members which in turn can lead to individual well-being. This falls in alignment with my career path. If there is one thing I know about improving the lives of others, is that it takes teamwork and dedication to the cause. It is my hope that if elected I can utilize the skills and knowledge to advocate for improving the work environment for those I will serve.

Nina Thomas

Statement for Delegate
I am an Educational Administrator with CDCR and Chapter 509's Board Representative. As such, I have had a front row seat to the efforts being made to ensure ACSS has an updated strategic plan to position the organization to continue ensuring California State Supervisors are considered and protected as the state implements changes. As a Delegate, I hope to continue involvement in ACSS and help support our members in whatever capacity I am most needed.

Marika Walker

Statement for Delegate
My name is Marika Walker, and I've been a Registered Nurse for 27 years. I worked as a Surgical Nurse for 14 years in the hospital, and have been with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for 13 years. With CDPH I started as a Health Facilities Evaluator Nurse and promoted to Health Facilities Evaluator Supervisor. I am passionate about helping others, and I don't shy away from challenges. I consider myself a life learner, a good listener, and strive for fair solutions for win-win situations. I want to advocate for our members’ hard work and dedication to be valued in tangible ways – with competitive wages, market-equivalent cost of living adjustments, and continuing and improved benefits. I pledge to inform you, to seek your assistance, and to represent you effectively. I ask for your vote, support, and participation.
Vote Marika Walker for Delegate!