What is OCEA PAC?

Today, more than ever before, it is important that OCEA’s members be involved politically. Our organization supports candidates and issues which have an impact on the livelihood of our members. We don’t tell our members how to vote, but sometimes our Political Action Committee (PAC)—or occasionally OCEA, through our elected Board of Directors—will recommend that our members give serious consideration to voting for a certain candidate or proposition.

Our OCEA Political Action Committee is made up of all members of OCEA (except those who have opted out). The OCEA PAC is governed by an eleven-member Executive Committee made up of OCEA members who are employed by the County of Orange.

The Committee supports candidates for state and local offices who support public employee interests. The Committee meets once a month on the third Thursday of the month and meets more often during election periods.

We are also involved in political action by way of OCEA’s founding membership in the United Employee Organizations of Orange County. The UEOOC is an organization of five unions representing employees of the County of Orange, and it has its own independent-expenditure political action committee.

Members pay $1.60 per pay period for political action. Most of this goes into the independent-expenditure PAC of the United Employee Organizations of Orange County, while about 26 cents goes to our own OCEA PAC.

Our PAC is a major influence in support of elected officials and candidates who are aligned with our desire for good government, as well as our support of both the public at large and the employees who are responsible for serving them.

OCEA Political Action Committee Executive Board

Robert Gibson, Chair

Probation Department

Robert is a Deputy Juvenile Correctional Officer II with the Probation Department. He was hired by the County in 1988, has been a member since 1995, and has been on the OCEA Board of Directors since 2005. Robert is currently serving as President, and has also served as First Vice President. He has been an OCEA Steward since 2002, has been a member of the Probation Services Unit Executive Committee, a PSU Safety Representative, and serves as Chairperson of the OCEA PAC Executive Committee. Robert has twice received the OCEA Outstanding Recruiter Award. He has been a member of many OCEA bargaining teams.

Jeff Gallagher, Vice Chair

Probation Department

Jeff is a Deputy Juvenile Correctional Officer II in the Probation Department. He has been with the County since 1998, and he has been an OCEA member that whole time. Jeff has been a member of the OCEA Board of Directors since 2002. He has been an OCEA Steward since early 1999. He was OCEA's Top Recruiter on two occasions. He also has received the OCEA President’s Award twice. He has been a member of OCEA bargaining teams, the PSU Executive Committee, and the Safety Retirement Sub-Committee.
 

Phyllis Oudmayer, Secretary

Child Support Services

Phyllis Oudmayer has been with the County since 1994 and joined OCEA the same week she was hired. She works as a Child Support Officer and very much enjoys her career. In 2007, Phyllis was elected to the OCEA PAC and is currently serving in the office of Secretary. Phyllis feels that County employees need to remain apprised of government actions that not only impact the union, but all of us as citizens. How we conduct our business and actions as a union is directly impacted by actions taken on the County and state level. Phyllis feels that we also need to look to the greater good, not only as union members, but as constituents of office-holders. An informed public keeps government officials accountable. 

Chris Prevatt, Treasurer

Health Care Agency

Chris is a Program Supervisor I (Health Care Agency). He was was hired in 1997 by the County of Orange, and he has been an OCEA member since 2000, and is a current Steward. He is a recipient of the 2006 OCEA President’s Award for extraordinary service to OCEA. 

Arlyn Buck

Social Services Agency

Arlyn is an Office Supervisor in the Social Services Agency. She was hired by the County of Orange in 1988, and has been an OCEA member since 1990. Arlyn has been on the Board of Directors since 1998. She has served us as Second Vice President, Secretary, Courtesy Chair, and Special Events Chair. Arlyn is also a Trustee of the OCEA Health and Welfare Trust. She has been an OCEA Steward since 1997, and she has been a member of many OCEA bargaining teams. Also, Arlyn has been an LMC member, and a member of the PIP Steering Committee. 

Bill Daher

Sheriff-Coroner Department

Bill is employed in the Sheriff-Coroner Department, where he works as a Forensic Scientist III. Bill has been an OCEA member since 1989. Bill has made great contributions to OCEA as a member of the PAC Executive Board.

Frank Eley

OC Public Works

 Frank is a Systems Analyst II in OC Public Works. He has been a County employee since 1982, and he has been a member of OCEA since he was hired by the County. Frank has been an OCEA Board of Directors member since 1985, and he has served as President, Past President, Second Vice President, Treasurer, Special Events Chair, Newspaper Chair, and Budget and Finance Chair. He has been an OCEA Steward since 1984, and he is a member of the OCEA Political Action Committee Executive Board. He has been a Trustee of the OCEA Health & Welfare Trust since its inception. Frank has served on many OCEA bargaining teams.

Butch Garcia

Social Services Agency

Butch is employed as a Social Worker II in the Social Services Agency. Butch was hire by the County in 2000, and he has been a member of OCEA since 2002 and a Board member since 2007. He has been involved in the SSA Case Management Forum, the SSA Labor Management Committee, and the ISW Premium Pay Workgroup. Butch has been an OCEA Steward since 2003. He has been a member of many of our Coalition Bargaining teams.

Jennifer Morgan

Superior Court

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.

County of Orange