As an employee of Eastern Oregon University, I have been an active member of OPEU/SEIU 503 for 40 years. I have participated in, and helped organize numerous actions, which have helped my fellow members gain and retain many of the benefits we enjoy today. During the past 2 years I’ve served as the Region 5 Director on the SEIU 503 Board of Directors and believe, as a lifetime resident of Eastern Oregon, I have the perspective necessary to successfully advocate for solutions to the unique struggles faced by the rural regions of our state. I have been careful to be a very present member at our Board of Directors’ meetings and activities, even though it often meant many hours driving and days away from home and I am now spending many hours in front of the computer participating in our meetings via Zoom. I am committed to promoting workers’ rights throughout the state and working for fair and equitable solutions to the many social and economic struggles the workers are facing, in our state as a whole, and specifically in our rural regions. I believe my leadership experience, my high level of integrity and honesty, as well as my communication and negotiation skills have prepared me well to serve SEIU 503 as the director for Region 5. I am excited to continue working to improve the lives of all our members and I respectfully ask for your support to allow me to continue pursuing this goal.