Judy Bowling

OCEA President

Judy, a Senior Investigator at the Orange County Public Defender’s office, was hired in 1996. She joined OCEA the same year, becoming a steward in 2011 and a Board member in 2012. She currently serves as OCEA President, a member of the OCEA’s budget and legislative committees, and has been on many OCEA bargaining teams. She is also an Orange County Labor Federation delegate. She was named Orange County Public Defender Investigator of the Year in 2000 and is the recipient of OCEA’s Perfect Attendance and Civic Engagement awards. At her agency, Judy serves on the Public Defender Labor Management Committee.

Maria Corona

OCEA First Vice President | Chair of the OCEA Health & Welfare Trust

Maria, a Staff Assistant at Orange County Health Care Agency—Strategy & Special Projects, was hired in July 2000. She joined OCEA the same year, becoming a Steward in 2003 and a Board member in 2008. She currently serves as OCEA First Vice President, as Chair of the OCEA Health & Welfare Trust, and was previously OCEA Treasurer. Maria is also a member of OCEA’s budget committee and a member of many OCEA bargaining teams. She is a recipient of OCEA’s President’s and Civic Engagement awards. At her agency, she is a member of the HCA Labor Management Committee.

Chris Prevatt

OCEA Second Vice President | OCEA PAC Treasurer

Chris, a Program Supervisor I at Orange County Health Care Agency, was hired in 1997. He joined OCEA in 2000, becoming a steward in 2006 and a Board member from 2007 to 2009. He was reappointed in 2011. Chris serves as OCEA Second Vice President, Treasurer of OCEA’s political action committee, serves on the budget committee, is an Orange County Labor Federation delegate, and is a general elected member of the Orange County Employees Retirement System Board. He has twice received OCEA’s President’s Award. At his agency, Chris is a co-team leader of the HCA Labor Management Committee and chair of the LMC’s subcommittee on workplace enhancements and cost savings. He has been a member of many OCEA bargaining teams.

Erick Castellanos

OCEA Secretary

Erick is a Senior Investigator with the Orange County Alternate Defender’s Office. He joined the County in 2005, became an OCEA member the following year, and a Steward in 2016. Erick was appointed to the Board of Directors in April 2021 and elected OCEA Secretary in 2023. Erick has stood with his co-workers by participating in OCEA rallies supporting contract bargaining. Erick was named Investigator of the Year in 2015 by his department, and Investigator of the Year in 2018 by the California Defense Investigators Association. In his spare time, Erick participates in church activities such as clothing and food drives for those in need. His role on the Board offers him a chance to further his advocacy on behalf of members and have an even stronger voice against unfair treatment in the workplace.

Anjali Essoe

OCEA Treasurer

Anjali, an Education Services Coordinator with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, was hired in 2000. She joined OCEA in 2001, becoming a steward in 2009 and a Board member in 2012. She serves as OCEA Treasurer, Chair of OCEA’s budget committee, and has been on many OCEA bargaining teams. Anjali is a recipient of OCEA’s Perfect Attendance Award, and has twice received each the Outstanding Steward and President’s awards. At her agency, she has participated in Sheriff’s Department arbitrations.

Angelo Lugo

OCEA Insurance Officer | Secretary of the OCEA Health & Welfare Trust | OCEA PAC Member

Angelo, an IT Network Engineer II for the Health Care Agency, was hired in 2000. He joined OCEA in 2001, became a Steward in 2014 and was appointed to the OCEA Board of Directors in Sept. 2018. He currently serves as OCEA Insurance Officer. Angelo has been on multiple bargaining teams, serves as Vice Chair of OCEA’s legislative committee; as a member of the OCEA budget committee, and PAC; Secretary of the OCEA Health & Welfare Trust; an OC Labor Federation Delegate; and is a Health Fair volunteer. Angelo has also been a leader on the County IT Committee where he has solved tough issues caused by outsourcing. He says that outsourcing of any County job is unacceptable, and he is ready to dedicate his IT negotiation experience to protecting the jobs of his fellow OCEA co-workers. One of his interests is in mentoring younger County workers who will one day lead both the County and the union in making our community a better place.

Joel Archer

OCEA Board Member

Joel, an HVAC Building Maintenance Supervisor at OC Public Works, joined the County of Orange in January 2023 after working at the Superior Court since March 2017. He has been an OCEA member for since 2018 and became a steward in 2021. Joel has participated in court negotiations, attended the OCEA Leadership Conference, and served at hot doggers at John Wayne Airport. With experience in both the Courts and County agencies, Joel brings a unique perspective to his role. He is known for his helpfulness and desire to make a positive impact for all members. Outside of work, Joel enjoys outdoor activities, particularly hiking and traveling, and spending time with his family.

Iriss Barriga

OCEA Board Member | Trustee of the OCEA Health & Welfare Trust

Iriss Barriga, a Senior Child Support Specialist, was hired in 1997. She joined OCEA the following year and became a Steward in 2018. Iriss was appointed to serve as a Trustee of the Heath & Welfare Trust in May 2019 and as a member of the Board of Directors in 2021. She won recognition as a Steward for organizing standing-room only membership meetings for her co-workers and proactively tackling workplace issues. Iriss is the go-to source for information and support at Child Support Services and to every County worker. She is proud to be a part of offering affordable dental, vision, disability, and life insurance plans that meet the needs of all County employees. Plus, she volunteers for duty at the annual OCEA Health Fair by bringing all her co-workers, who can’t attend, goodies or swag bags. She loves trying new foods, watching movies, working out and listening to music. Iriss is a confirmed Radiohead, NIN and Morrissey fan and says the 90’s band Nirvana was her thing.

Michael Garcia

OCEA Board Member | OCEA PAC Vice Chair

Michael, an Information Technology Supervisor at the Clerk Recorder’s Information Systems Unit, was hired in 2003. He became an OCEA member the same year, and a Steward in 2019. He is also Vice Chair of the OCEA Political Action Committee, is a member of the Legislative Committee, serves as a member of the County IT Committee, and as a negotiations team member. Michael also served recently as a delegate to the CA Federation of Labor Unions. He especially enjoys representing OCEA members and believes in giving a voice for fairness and equality in the workplace.

Jose Gomez

OCEA Board Member | Trustee of the OCEA Health & Welfare Trust

Jose, an Office Technician at the Social Services Agency, was hired by the County in 1993. He has been a member since 2000, when he was promoted into an OCEA-represented bargaining unit. He currently serves as a Trustee of the OCEA Health and Welfare Trust, is a member of the OCEA budget and legislative committees, an Orange County Labor Federation delegate, and has served on many OCEA bargaining teams. Jose has always been a workplace leader but made it official in 2014 when he became a Steward. He is a past recipient of the OCEA President’s Award. Jose also supports his co-workers at Orangewood Children’s Home, and OCEA events including Veterans Day, the annual Health Fair, political actions, and more.

Leti Guerrero

OCEA Board Member | Trustee of the OCEA Health & Welfare Trust | OCEA PAC Member

Leti, a Paralegal at O.C. Public Defender, was hired in 2005. She joined OCEA the same year and became a steward in 2019. Leti became a Board member in 2023. She has been a member of OCEA’s Legislative Committee and Political Action Committee, as well as an OC Labor Federation Delegate. She was previously employed by UCI Medical Center where she was also a union steward and participated in their PAC. Prior to her employment, she was a volunteer at a local hospital. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and traveling.

Patty Hernandez

OCEA Board Member | OCEA PAC Member

Patty works as an Information Processing Specialist for the Orange County Probation Department and has been an OCEA member since 2001. When she became a Steward in 2010, she took on the role of activist. She supports her labor brothers and sisters marching in the annual OC Labor Federation May Day event and demonstrates on behalf of unions fighting for the rights of working families. Patty phone banked for worker friendly candidates helping California secure a super majority in the Capitol. She helped to defeat union busting efforts in the City of Costa Mesa. In recognition of her activism, Patty was named Orange County Labor Federation Delegate of the Year in 2017. She serves as Chair on OCEA’s legislative committee, and is a member of the OCEA budget, political action and scholarship committees.

Mary Hunter

OCEA Board Member

Mary, a Paralegal for the DA’s Office, was hired in 2007. She joined OCEA the same year and became a Steward in 2017, joined the OCEA Bargaining Team in 2018 and has volunteered at many OCEA events. In December of 2019, Mary was elected to a two-year term on OCEA’s Board of Directors so she is now representing every OCEA member. As a Steward, she has proven to be an effective advocate for her co-workers and directly addresses issues of concern with management and HR. She makes sure that OCEA members at the DA’s Office are well informed about union activities and initiatives. Mary will continue to be a strong voice for her co-workers and take part in empowering OCEA as an OCEA Board Member. Mary truly cares for the well-being of her colleagues and brings a strong work ethic to every task.

Richard Lopez

OCEA Board Member

Richard Lopez, a Surveyor III with OC Public Works, was hired in 2021. He joined OCEA the same year, becoming an OCEA steward in early 2023 and was appointed to the OCEA Board of Directors in Oct. 2024. During 2023 negotiations, he organized informational sessions to support co-workers and is a dedicated member of the Steward Advisory Committee. Richard also chairs the Planning Commission for Fountain Valley and has volunteered as a Little League umpire for many years, exemplifying his commitment to public service and community engagement.

Michael Mestas

OCEA Board Member

Michael is a Social Services Supervisor I with ten years of County service. He believes his experience in the Social Services Agency and his roles as a supervisor in various departments helps to create a path to sharing knowledge and solving problems for OCEA members and the union as a whole. An OCEA Steward for almost two years, he has had the opportunity to work with management while continually advocating for decent wages, fair benefits, good working conditions, and protections from unjust treatment. As a board member, he believes his direct knowledge of current working conditions will give OCEA up-to-date knowledge in assessing any issues to assist the union in responding to employee concerns and handling future negotiations. His parents came from Mexico in the 1950s and worked hard all their lives to give their family the opportunity at the American dream. This could not have been possible if they were not union members themselves. Unions are responsible for building the great American middle class. Michael says he is a true union man for life.

Jennifer Morgan

OCEA Board Member | OCEA PAC Chair

Jennifer is employed in the Superior Court as a Superior Court Clerk II. She has been employed in the Court since 1999, and she joined OCEA immediately after being hired. Jennifer is closely involved in OCEA activities as one of our Court members.

John Sincock

OCEA Board Member | OCEA PAC Member

John is a Safety and Training Officer at CEO/Risk Management. He was hired by the County in 2002 and became an OCEA member in 2003. He serves on the OCEA political action, budget, and legislative committees, as well as an Orange County Labor Federation delegate. Previously, he helped fight the illegal layoffs of OCEA members in Costa Mesa and against Prop. 32—an anti-union initiative on the statewide ballot in 2012. John was very active during 2016 political campaigns as well. He understands the role and the contributions of the Labor Movement in our country to advancing social justice and equality. He especially appreciates the positive impacts unions have had on the wages of all workers. John says that working families—now more than ever—have to defend their right to bargain collectively for the fair wages and benefits that protect working families.

Adele Lopez Tagaloa

OCEA Board Member | OCEA PAC Member

Adele began her career with the County in 2008 as an Extra Help trainer in the Registrar of Voters Office during the 2008 General Election. She was hired full time in 2009 and currently serves at the Registrar as a Vote Center Operations Specialist. She joined OCEA upon hiring and became a Steward in 2012. Adele was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2018. She currently serves on the scholarship and legislative committees. Along with helping to maintain the democratic process in the County, she is serving as a Steward, volunteers to phone bank for union-backed candidates and helps out at OCEA events whenever needed. Adele is committed to building power for workers by fighting alongside her Board colleagues for the fair wages and benefits working families depend on. Additionally, Adele is an elected member of the OCERS Board of Trustees, which oversees retirement and investments for Orange County public servants.

Lesley Trejo

OCEA Board Member

Lesley, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Coroner Division Supervisor of Forensic Operations, joined OCEA upon hire in 1989, became a steward in 2017, and a Board Member in 2023. She is an ardent OCEA advocate and frequent phone banker who works every weekend for a local funeral home where she has the privilege of helping others during some of their toughest times. One of Lesley’s greatest career achievements came in 2022 when she was named the recipient of the OCEA Greg Fuller Spirit Award, honoring her compassion and desire to help others and drive the spirit of the labor movement.