Political Action Committee (PAC)

OCEA has one purpose—to provide advice and advocacy that advances the interests of working people and their families. Part of that mission includes providing guidance and analysis to OCEA members when elections could have a negative or positive impact on their family’s security.

After careful analysis, the OCEA Board of Directors will sometimes weigh in to support candidates for public office who have demonstrated they support the values of working people and initiatives that would strengthen protections or improve the lives of OCEA members.

Conversely, the Board will sometimes vote to oppose candidates or initiatives that would attack the rights, hard-earned benefits and dignity of working people.

The OCEA Political Action Committee, which is governed by an 11-member executive committee comprised by County and Court workers, periodically provides financial support for those candidates. Participation in the PAC is optional for OCEA members.

 

OCEA Political Action Committee Executive Board

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.

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.

Michael Garcia

OCEA Board Member | OCEA PAC Vice Chair

Michael, a Senior IT Application Developer assigned to OC Public Works, was hired in 2003. He became an OCEA member the same year, and a Steward in 2019. He is also a member of the OCEA Political Action Committee. Michael has volunteered for political outreach, attended candidate rallies, and is a monthly attendee of his agency’s monthly meeting to get information for his co-workers. He is an avid marathon runner and Assistant Coach for his son’s baseball and daughter’s soccer teams.

Liza Cooper-Butler

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

Liza, an HR Recruiter-Staff Specialist assigned to the Health Care Agency, was hired in 1997. She joined OCEA in 1998, became a Steward in 2015, and a Board member in 2016. She serves as Chair on the OCEA Health & Welfare Trust, a member of the OCEA Legislative, PAC, and Scholarship committees, and as an Orange County Labor Federation delegate. Devotedly she stands with her fellow OCEA members and remains active in the Union for them. Liza truly cares for the well-being of her colleagues and brings a determined work ethic and strong voice to the County and OCEA.

Joel Archer

OCEA Board Member

Joel, an Airport 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.

Leti Guerrero

OCEA Board Member | 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.

Angelo Lugo

OCEA Insurance Officer | Trustee 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; a trustee 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.

Jhosue Perez

OCEA PAC Member

Jhosue is a Defense Investigator I with the Orange County’s Public Defender’s Office. He was hired in 2012 and joined OCEA almost immediately. He became a Steward in 2016. Jhosue believes that getting involved is the best way to take responsibility for resolving workplace issues. He is not one to leave things for others to do. As a Steward, Jhosue takes a hands-on approach in talking to coworkers and encouraging union membership and participation. He brings the same philosophy to the PAC. Jhosue belongs to the millennial cohort of County workers and wants to bring that perspective to OCEA’s political activities. Jhosue enjoys spending time with his parents and siblings and loves to play soccer on the weekends. He enjoys traveling and is looking forward to a trip to Italy.

Rhonda Reed

OCEA PAC Member

Bio coming soon.

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.

Tony Smith

OCEA PAC Member

Tony, a Utility Worker/Driver at the Orange County Superior Court, was hired in 2017. He became an OCEA member the same year, a Steward in 2018, and an OCEA PAC Member in 2022 . He is also a member of the 2022 Court Bargaining Team. Tony wants to be elected to the board because labor and workplace rights are a passion of his and he wants to do everything in his power to elevate the working class. He enjoys hiking, cooking, and spending time with family.

Rhonda Reed

Trustee of the OCEA Health & Welfare Trust

Rhonda, a Senior Office Supervisor at Orange County Social Services Agency's Children & Family Services, was hired in January 2002. She joined OCEA the same year, becoming a steward in 2023. Rhonda currently serves on the SSA/CFS Clerical Labor Management Committee and is a member of OCEA's Political Action Committee. She has participated on the Negotiations Team as an alternate and attended the 2024 OCEA Leadership Conference. Rhonda is a strong advocate for OCEA members, focusing on helping members receive the most optimal benefits plans to achieve piece of mind by having comprehensive medical, dental, and vision services.

Crystal Swart

Trustee of the OCEA Health & Welfare Trust

Crystal, a Behavioral Health Clinician II at the Orange County Health Care Agency, was hired in 2017. She joined OCEA the same year, and became a steward in 2023. Crystal has been a member of the OCEA Negotiations Team, is chair of the HCA Labor Management Committee (LMC) and the Team Excellence Awards. She also participates in the Steward Development Committee. With a background in business, finances, and advocacy, Crystal is committed to fairness and ethical practices. She has a history of public service, including time in the Peace Corps and involvement in charitable organizations.