Jean Cohen
Executive Officer
[email protected]
Born and raised in San Jose, Jean Cohen's professional career spans three 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. From 2016 to 2020, Jean was the Political and Communications Director for UA Local Union 393, and served as the 1st Vice President of the South Bay Labor Council.
Under her leadership, the South Bay Labor Council distributed over 1,000 covid vaccines to union families, organized the VTA Solidarity Fund in response to worksite violence, and served as the regional campaign hub for the successful No Anti-Union Recall for Governor Gavin Newsom.
Jean is currently an Executive Board Member for both Team San Jose and Working Partnerships USA, and she also serves on the NOVAworks board. In 2023, Jean was elected for a third term as 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. In August 2024, Jean was sworn in as a member of the Santa Clara County Planning Commission. She also serves on the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds Management Board.
The proud daughter of a union teacher and union musician, Jean is committed to building power for working people.
Jack McGovern
Political Director
[email protected]
Jack McGovern brings a unique background of policy expertise and campaign organizing and fundraising skills, including many years working for Supervisor Cindy Chavez and Senator Josh Becker. Jack will oversee the South Bay Labor Council’s electoral and policy campaigns, and will coordinate the 2025 Leaders and Speakers series, which will bring labor leaders and policy makers together to listen, learn, and collaborate in support of working families and unions. Jack has a Bachelor of Arts, Political Science from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Ron Lind
Special Projects Consultant
[email protected]
Carmelita (Lita) Gutierrez
Administrative Assistant
[email protected]
Carmelita Gutierrez joined South Bay Labor Council in the summer of 1997. She is charged with administrative office 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.
For press inquiries, please email [email protected].
Executive Board
Riko Mendez
President
SEIU Local 521
Maria Noel Fernandez
1ST Vice President
IAM & AW Local 1101
Will Smith
2ND Vice President
IBEW Local 332
Troy Jones
Recording Secretary
UFCW Local 5
Dolores Morales
Sergeant-at-Arms
CEMA
Enrique Fernandez
Treasurer
UNITE HERE Local 19
Enrique Arguello
Member
Laborers Local 270
David Bini
Member
Building and Construction Trades Council
Kathy Jasper
Member
AFT Local 6157
Samuel Kehinde
Member
SEIU USWW
Danny Mangan
Member
Sprinkler Fitters Local 483
Malinda Markowitz
Member
CNA/NNOC
Jerry May
Member
IAFF Local 230
Eric Mussynski
Member
UA Local 393
Patty Picard
Member
CSEA Chapter 350
Bob Prola
Member
OGEA
Robert Sandoval
Member
Teamsters Local 350
Raj Singh
Member
ATU Local 265
Nydia Smith
Member
AFSCME Local 1587
Dominic Torreano
Member
SMW Local 104
John Tucker
Member
AFSCME District Council 57
Bill Wallace
Member
IBEW Local 1245
Stanley Young
Member
IFPTE Local 21
Lyseria Kursave
Ex-Officio Member
Pride at Work
Tony Alexander
Trustee
APRI
Paul Fong
Trustee
AFT Local 6157
Laurie Mesa
Trustee
UFCW Local 5