Meet your Region 2 staff
Monterey/San Benito counties
Joel Hill – Worksite Organizer
Joel Hill represents the chapters for the County of Monterey, Monterey County Superior Court, City of Salinas, City of Soledad, City of Greenfield, City of King City, Gonzales Unified School District, MV Transportation and MV Transportation Salinas.
“I enjoy building relationships with members and elected officials. Your elected officials have more of an impact than most imagine. I worked as a Steward for five years as a Monterey County employee. The Steward position inspired me to take up social justice issues and changed my major to Social and Behavioral Science at CSUMB. Shorty thereafter, I became a Field Representative for legacy SEIU 817, which was a good fit and transitioned to SEIU 521 as a Lead Internal Organizer. I truly enjoy helping and empowering other people to help themselves. Helping other people everyday (HOPE).”
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Joel at Joel.Hill@seiu521.org or at (831) 784-2568 (office) or (831) 917-1874 (cell).
Jay Donato – Worksite Organizer
Jay Donato represents the chapters for the County of Monterey and Monterey Bay Air Pollution Control District.
“Whether you work in the private or public sector, you or someone close to you has been affected by unemployment, home foreclosure, furloughs or layoffs. Our community is waking up and realizing that the top 1% of our country controls 42% of our nation’s wealth. Citizens are occupying Wall Street, New, York, Oakland, Santa Cruz and now around the world. We are waking up to a reality that can no longer exist and the 99% are fighting back! I look forward to working alongside you to continue building our union.”
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Jay Donato at Jay.Donato@seiu521.org or at (831) 784-2567 (office) or (661) 599-1711 (cell).
Henry Soria – Worksite Organizer
Henry Soria represents the chapters for the County of Monterey, City of Salinas, County of San Benito, City of Hollister, San Benito County Superior Courts, San Benito Water Districts, Housing Authority of Monterey County, Chamberlains Children Center, CHISPA, MAOF and Monterey Bay Air Unified Control District.
“Whether you work in the private or public sector, you or someone close to you has been affected by unemployment, home foreclosure, furloughs or layoffs. Our community is waking up and realizing that the top 1% of our country controls 42% of our nation’s wealth. Citizens are occupying Wall Street, New, York, Oakland, Santa Cruz and now around the world. We are waking up to a reality that can no longer exist and the 99% are fighting back! I look forward to working alongside you to continue building our union.”
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Henry at Henry.Soria@seiu521.org or at (831) 784-2563 (office) or (626) 688-2534.
Bryce Stoepfel – Worksite Organizer
Bryce Stoepfel represents the chapters for the County of Monterey and Monterey County Superior Court.
“Whether you work in the private or public sector, you or someone close to you has been affected by unemployment, home foreclosure, furloughs or layoffs. Our community is waking up and realizing that the top 1% of our country controls 42% of our nation’s wealth. Citizens are occupying Wall Street, New, York, Oakland, Santa Cruz and now around the world. We are waking up to a reality that can no longer exist and the 99% are fighting back! I look forward to working alongside you to continue building our union. “
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Bryce at Bryce.Stoepfel@seiu521.org or at (831) 784-2575 (office) or (614) 354-6549 (cell).
Santa Cruz County
Gary Klemz – Worksite Organizer
Gary Klemz represents the chapters for the County of Santa Cruz, City of Watsonville, Head Start, Regional Transportation Commission, Santa Cruz Metro and Soquel Creek Water District.
“Having started in the union movement as a rank and file in 1987 and serving as Chief Steward and Vice President of my local (Federal Sector), I used this experience to get hired as a field representative for SEIU Local 415 in May 2003. I was reclassified to Internal Organizer of SEIU 521 since March 1, 2007 and have been serving the Santa Cruz Area Chapters ever since. Although, the economic challenges have been tough these past three years, it has been my pleasure to serve you and be part of SEIU Local 521. “
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Gary at Gary.Klemz@seiu521.org or at (831) 824-9262 (office) or (831) 750-9728 (cell).
Sonia Laracuente – Worksite Organizer
Sonia Laracuente represents the chapters for the City of Santa Cruz, City of Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz Superior Court, Community Bridges, Salud Para La Gente, Women’s Crisis Support and YWCA of Watsonville.
“I’m a second generation labor organizer who’s passionate about working with people in taking direct action to resolve their many issues. I look forward to working alongside you to continue building our union.”
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Sonia at Sonia.Laracuente@seiu521.org or at (831)824-9266 (office) or (831) 750-9731 (cell).
Olivia Martinez – Worksite Organizer
Olivia Martinez represents the chapters for the County of Santa Cruz.
“I was a former rank and file member in Santa Cruz County as a Sr. Social Worker for Family and Children Services. Prior to working for the County I had worked in various non-profits in Watsonville, advocating for the Latino community. I decided to work for SEIU Local 521 because I respect and value the work you all do. My father worked as a janitor for many years in Los Angeles, but is a campesino at heart and my mother as garment worker. Their values and work ethic formed who I am in many ways, but the injustice they dealt with at work was what inspired me to be passionate for advocating and fighting for justice. As a Mexican woman and a mother I feel a strong responsibility to fight for a just society for our children. I am hopeful that my energy will help support the leadership in our region!”
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Olivia at Olivia.Martinez@seiu521.org or at (831) 824-9267 (office) or (831) 460-9409 (cell).
Region 2 Director
Debbie Narvaez
“Brothers and Sisters,
I am your SEIU 521 Regional Director for the Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey Counties. As a former SEIU rank-and-file member and then Internal Director from my local, I have been committed to empowering members to have a voice in the delivery of services they provide to our communities while protecting services and jobs. I look forward to working with our local’s leadership and you, so that we can win for our members and community.
Si Se Puede!”
Region 2 Political Organizer
Adam Urrutia
“I’m the new community/political organizer for Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties. I have worked for the union as a community/political organizer out of our Tulare County office since March of 2009. For me, moving to Monterey County is a bit of a homecoming since I spent the first years of my life in Soledad. My wife and our new baby are excited to relocate to the coast and we look forward to many years of working with you all. Join COPE!
The next two years are critical for members in our region, as we rebuild our member and political strength. Members have fought hard to maintain union rights and benefits negotiated over years and now we must stand together to stop the attacks on our retirement, benefits and your right to hold elected officials accountable.”