HFCC-SSA Executive Board Candidate Biographies
Below are biographies for each of the HFCC-SSA Executive Board candidates. Please take time to review each candidates' information.Voting will take place on Friday, November 21, 2014 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Administrative Services and Conference Center building, Rosenau C.Thank you,SSA Election Committee
PRESIDENT
1. Katrina MinnisEnrollment Associate IIII was hired at the college in 1999, I am a graduate of HFCC, and I served on one of the first Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) teams with Dr. Jensen. Prior to being hired in, I worked as both a college work study student and a substitute secretary.I am a hardworking, dependable, responsible, team player who is not afraid to or do things I have never done before. I am both willing and able to serve. I am innovative, and I value fairness. I have the need to get explanations and answers, so I’m not afraid to ask tough questions when I need to.I am running for office at the request of my peers. I consider it an honor to be asked to represent the SSA members as a whole, and to know that my peers want me to be a representative for their best interests. I am proud to work at the college and, if elected, with the people I will represent.2. Joe ZitnikI have worked for the college since 1997. I started as a Computer Tech Specialist, and when the HFCC-SSA separated, my title changed to Network and Systems Analyst. As President, I was part of the Shared Leadership task force that put support staff members in positions in shared governance for the first time ever at HFC.After three years of pay cuts as part of the DFSE, I was part of the Negotiation Team that saw the first pay increases in three years, and kept those increases while other HFC unions took pay and job cuts. That same team negotiated bonuses for the first time ever for support staff, and set up a Professional Development fund to pay for continuing education for support staff, something the other unions already had, but SSA members did not.There were members of the DFSE at HFC who did not want to separate. By the end of this contract, pay will be between 9 and 15 percent higher for SSA people than DFSE people. There is no more bumping of HFC support staff by DFSE members. If you’ve been here less than three years, you have never had to worry about a DPS employee taking your job the way HFC employees had to prior to the separation.During the worst economic crisis in HFC history, our membership has grown from 163 members, to over 190 SSA jobs, not one SSA member was laid off, and there were no pay cuts – jobs are up, pay is up. Our association is on firm financial footing. The SSA has never lost a grievance. Our Association is respected by college leadership. All of this happens because I have been part of an excellent Executive Board, and I represent excellent people. I’d like the opportunity to continue that for three more years.
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
1. Harold KelleyI am currently the grounds leader here H.F.C. I have a lot of experience working as a union executive officer. While working with the D.F.S.E, I served for 10 years as vice president, 2 years as Sgt. at Arms and 1 year as Trustee. I believe I have the experience to represent all classifications.So if you are looking for someone you can trust with lots of experience to represent you vote for me.2. Patti SekulidisI have worked at Henry Ford College for eight years as a Graphic Designer in the Graphics Center. As a member of the Support Staff Association, I currently serve on the SSA Scholarship committee and have helped with the SSA Trivia Nights. I have also taken over responsibility for updating and maintaining the SSA website (hfccssa.org).For most of my time at HFC, I have been a member of the Staff Council serving as Secretary for four years and currently serving on the Fiscal Resources Committee. Each year I participate in Staff Council sponsored community service projects such as Care Packages for Soldiers, food and clothing collections for C.O.T.S (Committee on the Shelterless) and Toys for Tots. I was one of the Staff Council members who establish and continue to head the Annual Planting Day, which beautifies our campus by planting annual flowers each June. In addition, I currently serve on the college’s Employee Recognition Committee. This committee evolved from one of the CPI team reports and seeks to find ways to improve employee recognition. We sponsored the Meet & Greet in the Welcome Center this past September.As your Executive Vice President, I will be committed to following through with my responsibilities and representing all of our members all of the time. Please vote for me, Patti Sekulidis. Thank you!
TREASURER
1. Barbara CorpI have more than 27 years in the system working in several departments. I currently am the Help Desk Associate in the Information Technology Services Department. I have an Associate in Science from HFC. I worked as an accounting technician at The College Store and Secretary in the Foundation Office where I did accounting.As current Treasurer, I prepared the application for tax-exempt status for the HFCC-SSA and am waiting for the IRS approval. I worked with our Scholarship Committee to create three scholarships. For the last four years, I worked with other volunteers from the SSA at our annual Trivia Night, raising funds initially for the attorney fees and now to help pay for our three scholarships. I am actively working on several Committees for the SSA: Constitutional Amendments Committee, Election Committee, Insurance Committee, Negotiation Committee, and Scholarship Committee. Part of the shared governance of HFC, I am a voting member of The Operational Council. I am also currently a voting member of the Technology Investment Committee.It has been a pleasure to be a part of this new journey with all my fellow SSA members. I look forward to working again for all of you.
SECRETARY
1. Mary SzymanskiI have been with Henry Ford College since 2004 and have worked in the Cashier’s Office and I currently work in the Accounts Payable Office. I was active and supportive in the developing of the SSA, and have held the office of Trustee for past 3 years, and would like to continue representing the Association as Secretary. In the past I have been a secretary for other organizations and know the responsibilities that come with the job. I will represent you to the best of my ability when it comes to matters of our Association.Thank you for your consideration.
(4) AREA VICE PRESIDENT’S
Clerical Vice President
1. Kimberly KaierI am currently the Department Secretary for the HFC Career Services Office; I have proudly served at HFC for over 15 years in various offices throughout HFC campus and Dearborn Public Schools, where I gained insight and knowledge of the college’s processes and procedures. I have earned my Associate Degree in General Studies, and I am currently working towards a Bachelor Degree in Human Resource Management. I have worked as a team member on the HFC Community Service Committee, Constitutional Amendment Committee and I am currently a member of Staff Council.I believe that our infinite knowledge and skills are a vital resource within HFC; we are the avenues of communication and connectivity between departments, and are the center of department knowledge, as well as, the institution. It would be an honor to serve as a representative for all of the clerical associates (AAA/AA, Division & Department Secretaries, Customer Service Representatives, and Library Associates).2. Marlene WojtowiczI have been a member of the Henry Ford College family since 2004. My first job at the college was a teller in the Cashiers Dept. which I worked for six months. In August of that year I was hired as the Division Secretary of the M-TEC Workforce Development Division and this is where I am at the present time.In the ten years that I have been at Henry Ford College I have participated in the following activities: Staff Council member and present recording secretary since 2004; Chaired the Military Project for Staff Council in 2013; Women’s Recognition Committee member for six years; SSA Reclassification committee member 2014; Volunteered as needed in helping with the SSA union formation; Innovation Committee 2010.I consider it an honor to have been nominated to fill one of the Vice President positions for our SSA Union.
Facilities Vice President
1. Kevin Luchonok I was born in Dearborn, where I attended Dearborn Public schools. I graduated from Edsel Ford in 2005. I started working for Dearborn Public schools in 2007. I was hired as a full-time custodian on the midnight shift in 2010. I have been relieving as a Building operator since January of 2014. I feel that having had the opportunity to work as both a custodian and a building operator gives me a complete perspective of day to day operations of the facilities department. I plan on working towards my Associates, and Bachelor’s degree here at HFC. I am a dedicated and loyal college employee, I feel that given the chance to represent the facilities department we can help grow and strengthen the HFCC-SSA.
Technology Vice President
1. Tony BitontiI am a Dearborn 20 year resident and my current position is the Lead Media Associate. My educational background is: B.A. Western Michigan University; Post-Graduate from Wayne State University; and Michigan State Certified Secondary School Teacher. My job experience is: Detroit Public Schools; Detroit Science Center; Detroit Institute of Technology; Cass City Cinema; Focus: Hope; Archdiocese of Detroit: CTND Television; Dearborn Public Schools-Miller Alternative Education; Henry Ford College- Present; and Free Lance Photographer, Videographer, Projectionist, Lighting Specialist, Audio.My experience with HFC and DPS is: I starting working as a substitute High School teacher at the “old” Miller school. I taught 3 years part-time in the alternative school program. I was hired 21 years ago at HFCC to work in the Media Center as an “instructional technician.” I transferred to the Instructional Technology department as a Media Technician, now called Media Associate. I am a current member of the SSA collective bargaining unit in good standing.2. Rick MichalskiI began my career at HFC in 2012, working as a Lab Associate II in the Learning Lab. I currently work as an Institutional Research Analyst in the Department of Information, Marketing, and Effectiveness. In my previous role I collected and managed usage data; in my current role I submit various data in compliance with the State and Federal government.I have a Master’s degree in Public Policy, experience working in legislation and law enforcement, and am a HFC alumnus. I am familiar with our contract and have experience sitting on various College committees, practical experience with law and policy, and working and ever-growing knowledge of technology.As a current SSA member, I would be honored to serve as a representative for our group.
Welcome Center/Food Service Vice President
No candidate