Experience & Leadership

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Union Leadership

With 16 years of CAPS membership and leadership experience, Don has participated in many Board meetings, served as a Bargaining Observer, contributed to the Contract Escalation Group, and advocated for member rights through grievance filings. His leadership in union activities, legal experience, and commitment to members’ welfare are his guiding principles.

• Former member of the CAPS Member Action Committee (MAC) that oversaw the CAPS Contract Action Team (CAT)
• Active in CalEPA and District 3 organizing efforts
• Local Representative at Department of Pesticide Regulation
• Filed group grievances to secure owed raises for members
• Led multiple advocacy campaigns and closely followed the bargaining process
• Led practice pickets in opposition to return-to-office policies

Don has been actively involved in union activities, from participating in pickets and contract negotiations to serving as a Bargaining Observer. He is also a former member of the CAPS Member Action Committee (MAC) and the Contract Action Team (CAT). He serves as a Local Representative for the Department of Pesticide Regulation, where he stands up for State Scientists by filing grievances and helping members with issues in their workplaces. He filed group grievances on behalf of members who didn't receive their raises and fought to get them everything they were owed.

Broader Experience

• Prior board experience: Elks, Farm Bureau, Woodland Library
• Worked with attorneys in company product settlements.
• Twice served as Jury Foreman on complicated trials; has served as an expert witness
• Assisted attorneys on product litigation cases
• Worked with Ag Commissioners
• Prior employers include: BASF, FMC, Loveland Industries

Beyond union work, Don brings valuable board experience from organizations including Elks, Farm Bureau, and Woodland Library, where he managed large discretionary budget. This financial and governance experience will be crucial in leading CAPS-UAW forward. Moreover, Don has worked with attorneys in company product settlements, has twice served as Jury Forman on complicated trials, on investigations with Ag Commissioners. This experience helped him hone his skills in handling complex and high-stakes negotiations. His keen observation skills, combined with his extraordinary patience and persistence will be indispensible when it comes to bargaining with the State. His career before Department of Pesticide Regulation included work for farm supply companies and in sales, tech service, and field research (FMC, BASF, Loveland Industries).