Congratulations to our OCEA Stewards!
Left to right: OCEA Distinguished Board Member awardees Julio Robles, Chris Prevatt, Patty Hernandez with President Lezlee Neebe; the late OCEA Steward Greg Fuller and wife Adita Luna in 2019. Greg's union work inspired the new Greg Fuller Spirit Award.
Dear OCEA members,
OCEA recently held our annual Steward Awards ceremony and we wanted to share the names of the awardees with you. You may work with some of the winners!
OCEA Stewards are the eyes and ears of the union but they do so much more. Stewards are on the frontline when fellow OCEA members need help dealing with workplace issues. They volunteer their time to campaign for worker-friendly candidates, they provide subject matter expertise during negotiations, and serve on the OCEA Board of Directors.
Our stewards ensure our union is #oceastrong!
The following OCEA Stewards were recognized for distinguished service on OCEA's Board of Directors:
- Patty Hernandez, OC Probation Department
- Julio Robles, OC Sheriff’s Department
- Chris Prevatt, Health Care Agency
OCEA Stewards who have served their coworkers with skill, dedication, and integrity throughout the year were honored with the OCEA President’s Award. The winners were:
- Andrew Rodriguez, OC Sheriff’s Department
- Chris Bollesen, City of Fountain Valley
- Vuthy Yam, HCA
- Alexandra Su, OC Animal Care
- Erin Suggett, OC Animal Care
- Eric Monroe, OC Fire Authority
- Brad Stephens, OC Fire Authority
- Leonika Recitas, OC Probation Department
- Jamar Johnson, HCA
- Tasneem “Taz” Watts, Anaheim Public Library
- Irvin McKenshaw, HCA
- Ed Bargas, City of Fullerton
- David Mallonee, City of Fullerton
- Tina Ditmar, City of Laguna Niguel
- Pam Waters, Retiree
- Bill Daher, Retiree
- Aimee Skochko, Superior Court
- John Sincock, County CEO’s Office
Finally, OCEA inaugurated a new award this year – The Greg Fuller Spirit Award. Greg Fuller was an HCA worker and OCEA Steward who passed away early this year from COVID-19 that he contracted during his courageous battle with cancer.
Greg was a champion for his OCEA family. He was someone that you could always count on to lift spirits but was also ready to fight for his coworkers. Because of his dedication and love for his fellow OCEA members, we created The Greg Fuller Spirit Award to honor Stewards who, like Greg, embody the union spirit. His wife, Adita Luna, and daughter, Azalea, accepted the award.
OCEA President Lezlee Neebe and OCEA General Manager Charles Barfield presented the awards. Congratulations to all the winners! You have our respect, admiration, and gratitude for standing together to protect working families.
Merry Christmas!
Orange County Employees Association
Publication Date: December 23, 2021
