In 2024, the WCEA offices up for election are Vice President, Secretary, and 4 seats on the Board of Directors. The term of office is from November 1, 2024 to October 31, 2026. The election will be conducted virtually via ElectionRunner.com from September 26-October 2, 2024. On the first day of the election, each WCEA member will receive an e-mail from ElectionRunner with a link to cast their vote. The candidates for each office are listed below. Each candidate was allowed to submit a photo and a personal statement.
Please be advised that per Article VI, Section 2 (Pg 3) of the WCEA Bylaws, as adopted by our members, only two members from a single department may be elected to the Board of Directors. Due to this rule, and the current makeup of the Board members who are not up for election this year, only one person may be elected from the following departments: Health; Human Services Agency; Alternate Public Defender. Even if multiple members from those departments are the top vote-receivers, only one from each department can be seated on the Board. Article XIII, Section 4 (Pg 7) of the Bylaws describes the procedure for determining who gets seated if multiple people are elected from the same department.
Vice President
William Mantle (Alternate Public Defender)
Members of the WCEA,
It has been my immense pleasure to have served you since 2019 as first a Director and this year as your Treasurer. With the resignation of the esteemed David Kelly as our long-serving Vice President, I was presented with an opportunity to further lead the WCEA which I eagerly now pursue. This organization has shown incredible growth and capability over these last years. I found great purpose in negotiating our recent contract and am happy to have finally fulfilled some of my aims of enhancing the benefits you all deserve. While we have four years until the next contract officially opens that does not mean your WCEA will be dormant. We can capitalize on these intervening years by further improving our labor relations and processes with Washoe County, increase our membership enrollment, and set goals for our next negotiations based off your priorities.
I wish to continue being one of your longest-serving board members. I hope you have come to trust my work over these years, that you trust me with your concerns, that you believe in our dedication to the advancement of your labor rights, and that your union is not a faceless organization but composed of your fellow employees advocating for your rights and wellbeing.
I would be honored to have your vote for the office of Vice President of the WCEA.
Secretary
Kathie Maestas (Recorder)
My name is Kathie Maestas, and I am running for re-election as Secretary for the WCEA Board of Directors.
Since 2014, I have been an active member of the WCEA and have served on the Board of Directors since 2017.
During my time as secretary, I have gained knowledge of all policies and procedures within the county, and I am well versed with the WCEA contract and assisted with the By-law updates.
I served on the Contract Negotiation Team, two years ago when I ran for secretary I stated if I was elected when we were back at the negotiations table, I would do my best to get back retiree benefits and this year we were successful in getting some retiree benefits back. We secured one of the most successful contracts for our members. But there is still work that needs to be done to ensure our members get the best contracts in the future.
I also service on the Insurance Negotiations Committee (INC). I am proud of the fact that the WCEA representatives have taken the lead in the last two negotiations and have been at the forefront getting the other associations more engage on the committee. I will continue to work hard to increase our overall benefits and to have the INC bylaws better defined and have the County be more transparent with the health fund cost. I will always make sure that the association’s voice is heard, and our viewpoints are taken into consideration. I will continue to be a voice for you.
I also assist with Labor Representation. Along with other board members. I have defended numerous members in almost every department in the county. I have knowledge of mediation, grievance, and arbitration processes. I have continued to take labor law and arbitration seminars to keep up the latest in labor laws and will continue to work with the WCEA board and labor representatives to make sure our members have the best representation.
I believe the most important piece of all – it’s imperative that we make every effort to communicate our successes and potential challenges and our vision for the future to you, our members on a regular basis. We need to make sure that when there are challenges you have convenient avenues to communicate with us. I think working together we can achieve this, and I promise to be a tireless advocate for you.
It has truly been my pleasure serving as the WCEA secretary and I hope to continue the work we have started.
Thank you for your consideration.
And as always, if you have any questions send me an email with your phone number and we can chat.
Board of Directors (4 seats)
Jessica Adams-Lopes (Emergency Management)
I work in Emergency Management as a Homeland Security Program Coordinator. I have been with the County for 4.5 years and a WCEA Board Member for the last 2 years. I first joined the County with the hope of bettering our community–and in my time here–I have witnessed numerous employees going above and beyond their duties to help the citizens of Washoe County. I think it’s only fair that employees receive the same quality treatment as we give our citizens. I believe that Washoe County is a great place to work, and I want all employees to feel the same.
My intent in joining the board was to be a positive advocate for employees and ensure employees’ voices were being heard. In my time on the Board, I have served on the Scholarship Committee and as Chair of the Member Committee, where we have planned events like Bagels & Coffee and Aces Games and have allocated donations to local organizations. I would be honored to serve a second term on the Washoe County Employee Association Board of Directors.
When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, exploring Northern Nevada’s great food & drink scene, exercising and volunteering.
Mia Collins (Health)
I am a Registered Environmental Health Specialist in the Environmental Health Services (EHS) Division of the Health District. Since joining the Washoe County Employees Association (WCEA) at the beginning of my employment in 2021, I have been passionate about advocating for fair treatment and excellent benefits for our employees. My goal is to support the continued development and retention of our employees, to ensure Washoe County remains a fulfilling and exceptional place to work.
Last year, I worked with my colleagues to facilitate the equitable implementation of the Korn Ferry salary compensation study. This experience introduced me to the vital role of the WCEA in addressing labor-related issues. Motivated by this insight, I became more involved with the WCEA, despite not holding an official Board position.
Most notably, I worked with the Contact Negotiations Committee, which successfully negotiated an impressive 2024 Employee Contract. Parental leave, increased vacation leave, and retiree health benefits were added to our contract, among other great benefits. I also joined the Scholarship Committee, which provided funding for continuing education to two candidates.
As a hopeful member of the WCEA Board of Directors, I am committed to being a valuable resource for all employees, maintaining open lines of communication, and bringing renewed energy to the Board.
Outside of work, I enjoy exploring the mountains and celebrating life’s milestones with my family and our two dogs, Marley and Grizzly.
Dawn Edwards (Health)
My name is Dawn Edwards, and I have been with the county for over 5 years. I have enjoyed working in 3 different departments – Human Services Agency, the Public Administrator’s Office and currently with Northern Nevada Public Health in the Community and Clinical Health Services department as an Administrative Assistant I. In seeing the County from 3 different departments I feel I have a unique perspective on the needs of our employees. I currently sit on the Quality Improvement Council with NNPH along with the Health Heroes Board as Treasurer. My aim is to do the best by the employees of Washoe County – as we do so much for our community – we deserve the best representation in return.
On a personal level, I am active in the Sierra Nevada Mini Club where you can find me buzzing around the Sierras most weekends. I am also the President and Secretary of Kawai’ulu ‘O Tahoe Outrigger Canoe Club, we are a competitive Outrigger Canoe Club racing 6-man outrigger canoes. Our practices are on Donner Lake and Lake Tahoe with most races taking place in the Bay area. I have been active in C.E.R.T. in the past, where I learned a lot of great skills. I love to volunteer and give back to this community I feel so fortunate to be a part of.
Fawna Gregory (Treasurer)
Hello, my name is Fawna Gregory, and I am asking for your support for election as a Board Member for the Washoe County Employee Association.
I have worked in the Treasurer’s Office since I started for the County in 2016. I currently work as an Account Clerk II on the Customer Service Team.
My passion for volunteering has served me well as I have volunteered for many organizations helping both our human, and our wildlife population. I served as the Treasurer on the Giving and Volunteering Committee for 3 years, as well as participated in many projects with KTMB, The Ronald McDonald House, the Mule Deer Foundation, NDOW and BLM. The last two years, I volunteered as an assistant coach for Reno-Sparks Pop Warner Cheerleading, coaching girls ages 8-11.
I come from a family of dedicated union members, with my husband serving as President of the Local 350 Union for several years. As a native Nevadan, being born and raised in Washoe County, I want to continue to give back, not only to my community, but my fellow County workers as well.
I have decided to run as a Board Member to learn more of what the WCEA does for our members, and I hope that I can help advocate for great things along with the other Board members and staff.
I appreciate your support, and I look forward to serving my fellow members in a positive way.
Anastasia Gunawan (Health)
I am Anastasia Gunawan, statistician with a background in social epidemiology and emergency medical service with Northern Nevada Public Health. With almost a decade of experience contributing to public health and research, I have a lot of experience in project management and led many successful projects involving multiple stakeholders in both private and public sector for products that improve lives. I joined Northern Nevada Public Health in 2020, and over the years with Washoe County, I have gained valuable experience collaborating and communicating with a wide range of audiences using story-telling and evidence-based practices. I enjoy working and living in Washoe County and my intent in joining the board is to advocate for positive and collaborative work environment as well as ensure fair representation for the betterment of all.
I am a Reno High and Wolf Pack alumni who loves travel, developing food recipes and enjoying the outdoors. I’m passionate about sharing mindfulness practices with the community as a trauma-informed yoga instructor. I love to spend time with my two-year-old poodle and husband on backpacking trips, and cold plunging across the Sierra Nevada Basin.
Todd Kirsten (Community Services Department)
Hello WCEA members,
My name is Todd Kirsten and I started with Washoe County Utility’s in March 2007 as a Utility Systems Worker 2 which has been the only position I’ve held at Washoe County. The Utility department takes care of the sewer plants, lift stations, sewer mains and reclaim water system within Washoe County. I currently hold a grade 3 collection systems operator, distribution system operator 2 certifications, cross connection control specialist and a backflow prevention assembly tester.
Prior to starting with the County, I was a Teamsters local 533 for a total of 10 years serving last three years as a shop steward and I spent 1 year in the laborers Union local 169.
I believe I am a great candidate for the Washoe County Employee Association (WCEA) because of my passion for advocating for workers’ rights, strong communication skills, problem solving abilities and my proven leadership abilities. I am committed to working tirelessly to ensure that our members receive fair wages, benefits, and working conditions. My goal is to be a liaison in some way between the employees and the board not only for myself but for all current county employees and those wanting to be a part of the county family.
Thank you for taking the time to read my nomination.
Monica McKee (Medical Examiner)
Hello, my name is Monica Mckee. I am a Medicolegal Death Investigator with the Medical Examiner’s Office. I am currently serving on the Board of Directors with the Washoe County Employee Association and would like the opportunity to serve you for a second term. Through the WCEA, I am a member of the Washoe County Safety Committee and the Washoe County Deferred Compensation Committee and am passionate about advocating for our employees and retirees. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my children, sewing and caring for over 250 houseplants.
Matt Polley (Human Services Agency)
I have worked as a social worker with Washoe County Human Service Agency off and on for the past 25 years. I’m a married father of three, Alex, Catie and Sydney. I’m also small business owner in downtown Reno. I love working for a Washoe County and enjoy living in the Truckee Meadows.
Over the years of experience with Washoe County I’ve sat on numerous boards including the SARB Board, the CAN Prevent Task force, Board of the YMCA of northern Nevada as well as Riverwalk Merchants Association where I held the position of president. I am able to work with individuals by meeting people where they are at and I’m able to collaborate by being open to feedback, having a willingness to listen, and providing appropriate guidance and problem-solving solutions.
I have learned over the past two years as a WCEA Board member that it is critical to maintain and open mind and a willingness to learn. I believe in the mission of the WCEA to unify and strengthen the County employees to secure and maintain the salaries, retirement, tenure, leave and other matters concerning wages, hours, terms and conditions of employment necessary to better serve the County.
I bring a well-rounded and sensible set of skills and experience. It would be an honor to continue to serve on the Board of the WCEA. Please consider voting for Matt Polley as WCEA Board member. Thank you!
Sharilee Thomas (Sheriff)
I have been part of the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office family for 10 years as a Communications Specialist. I have over 20 years of experience in local government community service positions and obtained a Criminal Justice Degree from UNR. Through my history and current roles, I demonstrate a passionate commitment to personal development, education and service so that I may help and mentor others. I believe I can contribute a unique and strong perspective as part of the 24/7 crew and a Law Enforcement spouse.
I am excited at the opportunity to serve with the WCEA and intentionally create the best working environment we can. Nothing we do here, we do alone and I would be honored to have your vote!