Jean Cohen
Executive Officer
jean@southbaylabor.org
Born and raised in downtown San Jose, Jean Cohen's professional career includes decades working for local government, the labor movement, and the nonprofit sector to build social and economic justice through public policy and organizing. Jean worked for many years on housing, land use, and transportation policy for State Senator Jim Beall and San Jose City Councilman Raul Peralez. She served on staff at Sacred Heart Community Service as the Director of Development and Communications, developing tools for economic self-sufficiency for the working poor and homeless of Santa Clara County.
During her tenure at SEIU-UHW, NUHW and as the Political Director of the Alameda Labor Council, Jean directed the organizing and legislative programs for over 120 affiliated labor unions in Alameda and Santa Clara Counties, engaging over 100,000 unionists through multiple election cycles. With a focus on affiliate and member mobilization, she has organized successful electoral field programs and contract campaigns utilizing direct action, strategic coalition building, and investments in leadership and policy development.
Cohen has been the Political and Communications Director for UA Local Union 393 since 2016. Jean is currently the Vice Chair of the Santa Clara County Democratic Party. She is an American Leadership Forum Senior Fellow and a graduate of Saint Mary’s College with an M.A. in 21st Century Leadership. The proud daughter of a union teacher and union musician, Jean is committed to building power for working people.
Dianna Zamora-Marroquin
Senior Director of Political Strategy and Operations
dianna@southbaylabor.org
Dianna Zamora-Marroquin is the Senior Director of Political Strategy and Operations for the South Bay Labor Council. She is responsible for the development of the Council’s political program and runs the largest, most sophisticated, grassroots political operation in the South Bay. Dianna is also responsible for promoting the Labor Council’s public image and interests and is the Council’s primary news media contact. Dianna has enjoyed a successful career, holding a number of positions ranging from a Consultant for the Select Committee on California-Latin American Affairs for a State Assembly Member to the Public Policy and Media Manager for a State Senator. She has also excelled in strategic messaging creation and market research, working for a renowned research firm in San Diego as their Senior Project Director. Prior to joining the Labor Council, her career took her to Washington, D.C. where she served as the Communications Director for two California Congressmen.
Dianna was recently elected to the Santa Clara County Central Committee, is a sitting DAWN (Democratic Activists for Women Now) Board Member and serves on the Santa Clara Task Force on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Dianna, who is fluent in Spanish, earned a bachelor’s degree in International Relations with a minor in Italian from the University of Southern California and master’s degree in Global Leadership from the University of San Diego.
Carmelita (Lita) Gutierrez
Administrative Assistant
lita@southbaylabor.org
Carmelita Gutierrez joined South Bay Labor Council in the summer of 1997. She is charged with administrative and other office management responsibilities. As a student at San Jose State University, Carmelita was an active organizer with MEChA, a Chicano/Latino student organization. As a member of MEChA she helped organize for educational rights on campus and worked with a coalition of other high school and college Chicano/Latino student organizations across California. Her experience allowed her to serve as a liaison from MECha to the African-Black Student Alliance and to the Asian, Pacific Islander Student Union in organizing educational rights issues statewide. “Lita” graduated from San Jose State University with a B.S. in Social Science.
Tania Haque
Accountant/ Human Resources
ap@southbaylabor.org
Executive Board
Sal Ventura
President
IBEW Local 332
Jean Cohen
1ST Vice President
UA Local 393
Jason Hall
2ND Vice President
CWA Local 9423
Paul Fong
Recording Secretary
AFT Local 6157
Mark Van Den Heuvel
Sergeant-at-Arms
Sheet Metal Workers Local 104
Enrique Fernandez
Treasurer
UNITE HERE Local 19
Enrique Arguello
Member
Laborers Local 270
Sergio Arrañaga
Member
Teamsters Local 350
David Bini
Member
Building and Construction Trades Council
Sheillena Brunston
Member
ATU Local 265
Charlie Hernandez
Member
Ironworkers Local 377
Troy Jones
Member
UFCW Local 5
Sean Kaldor
Member
IAFF Local 230
Malinda Markowitz
Member
CNA/NNOC
Riko Mendez
Member
SEIU Local 521
Jocelyn Merz
Member
AREA
Dolores Morales
Member
CEMA
Mark Murray
Member
AFSCME Local 1587
Patty Picard
Member
CSEA Chapter 363
Terry Sandoval
Member
SEIU UHW
Rick Solis
Member
Carpenters Local 405
Stanley Young
Member
IFPTE Local 21
Robyn Zamora
Member
AFSCME Local 101
Tony Alexander
Ex-Officio Member, APRI