Meet Your SEIU 1000 Team Members
Kevin CurtisKevin is an SISA who works in a one-person IT shop for the Department of Developmental Services in Cathedral City in Southern California. He has 10 years experience in the IT profession. Before entering state service, he worked in the private sector as a Network Administrator. Kevin describes himself as a self-taught IT professional. His undergraduate degree is in Chemistry and he worked as a Chemist for over 5 years.
Quote: “In bargaining, I want to ensure that the new testing system takes into account the applicant’s hands-on experience and practical knowledge.” You can reach Kevin at
kcurtis@cs.dds.ca.gov.
Rick GadboisRick is a SSS I in the Voice & Network Services Unit at CalPers in downtown Sacramento. He’s been working for the State for two years, after nearly two decades of IT work in the private sector. He is a lifelong student and has had an extensive technical education, including graduate studies in Computer Science and Mathematics at the University of Texas, and undergrad work in Economics and History at the University of Illinois. Rick is also a pilot and part owner of a Cessna 172.
Quote: “Reforming the hiring/selection system for IT workers is essential for reducing costly outsourcing.” You can reach Rick at
rick_gadbois@calpers.ca.gov.
Vincent GreenVince is an Associate ISA at the Department of Health Care Services in Rancho Cordova. His 20-year IT career has taken him from IT Desktop Support in health care to LAN administration in the private sector to CA-MMIS development and implementation for the State. He has training in MCSE, A+, Novell, UNIX, CISCO and Oracle.
Quote: “Our responsibility is to ensure that the proposed classifications are reasonable and that compensation is fair.” Contact Vincent at
Vincent_Green@dhcs.ca.gov.
Marie HarderMarie is a Senior ISA with the California Department of Public Health in Sacramento. She is a certified Project Management Specialist with over 19 years in the information technology industry who started in state service as a Staff Services Analyst She is also a SEIU Local 1000 steward and heads the Union’s efforts to fight IT outsourcing.
Quote: “The biggest excuse for departments give for using consultants is the lack of qualified state staff. I disagree: It is a lack of current adequate testing and the availability of training to state employees. This is the first step we need to take to solve the outsourcing issue.” Marie can be reached at
Marie.Harder@cdph.ca.gov.
Margarita MaldonadoMargarita is an Associate ISA at the Department of Justice. She is a committed Union volunteer, and has been the Chair of Bargaining Unit 1 for the last four years. She started her state career as a Youth Aid, progressing to an IT position in 1995. She likes to say she’s at the “halfway point:” – 19 years of past state service and 19 more to go before retirement.
Quote: “People are always asking me what they can do to help. First, if you’re not a member, JOIN. We have power in numbers. Second, stay tuned for the possibility of IT group actions. Although we have fantastic arguments, and will use all of our logic and persuasive abilities at the table, we may need to take some extra steps to get a fair deal.” Contact Margarita at
mmaldonado@seiu1000.org.
Kevin MenagerKevin is employed at the Franchise Tax Board in Sacramento as a Staff Programmer Analyst. His areas of expertise are mainframe programming and web development/design. His route to IT was circuitous – he was first a major in theater at CSU Sacramento, and then received a certification of completion in computer programming from a local trade school.
Quote: “With the IT workforce shrinking by an estimated 35-40% in the next two years, recruitment and retention issues will be paramount to maintaining California’s IT infrastructure. Not only is this reclassification a necessity for the State; it is a ripe opportunity for the Union as well.” You can reach Kevin at
Kevin.menager@ftb.ca.gov.
Thomas PerineThomas Perine is a Staff Programmer Analyst for the Department of Child Support Services in Rancho Cordova. When he’s not at his job in CSAD (client server application development) or representing state employees as an SEIU Local 1000 chief steward, he’s making plans to visit all 50 US states before his 50th birthday.
Quote: “My full commitment is to represent the interests of 7800 IT professionals. We need equitable systems and policies for IT classifications, tests, evaluations, appointments and promotions.” You can reach Thomas at
Thomas.Perine@dcss.ca.gov.
Rajendra “Raj” ShrivastavaRaj, an Associate Programmer Analyst, is new to state service, and has worked for the Employment Development Department in Sacramento for less than a year. Before state service, he was a senior technologist in the private sector. His undergraduate degree was in Physics and he has a PhD in Computer Science from Louisiana State University. As a Computer Science Professor, he taught in the Louisiana State University System and at Cal State Sacramento. With two growing children, he recently decided to opt for the security of state employment.
Quote: “Our future depends on this effort. I want to do my part to improve compensation and career paths for my colleagues.” You can reach Raj at
RShrivas@edd.ca.gov.
Jeffrey Recht (1st alternate)Jeff is an Associate Programmer Analyst for the State Water Resources Control Board in Sacramento, with a specialty in web applications. A strong advocate of IT training, Jeff was instrumental in developing SEIU Local 1000’s IT scholarship program. He also represents the Union on the Joint Labor Management Committee on IT Apprenticeship programs.
Quote: “It’s an honor to represent my fellow IT professionals at the bargaining table. I’m going to fight to make the reclassification workable and bring my colleagues pay parity with other IT professionals.” Contact Jeff at
jrecht@waterboards.ca.gov.
Anna Yeung Mayo (2nd alternate) Anna is a Programmer II working as a Systems Technical Support Analyst in Office of Information Services with the Department of Consumer Affairs. She is a hard working activist and became a steward one year ago. She is a DBUR for Unit 1 and is the Union’s #1 IT recruiter – having recruited over 150 new members in last year. In addition to her union volunteerism and IT professionalism, Anna spent ten years as the Executive Director/Producer for a non-profit performing arts organization. Her expertise in securing top prize winner performers from overseas and promoting local artists has won her numerous City, County and State Performing Arts Awards in the last decade.
Quote: “The reclassification will affect all of us. We need to utilize the bargaining process to achieve the best results for IT professionals.” Contact Anna at
Anna_Mayo@dca.ca.gov.