OUR LEADERSHIP
Chris Pilson, President,
AFSCME Local 101
Chris Pilson works at Valley Water in the Vegetation Field Operations Unit. Together with her colleagues they keep the creeks flowing, maintain infrastructure, plant and care for native revegetation sites. They also remove invasive species, and make and distribute sandbags.
Previously, she's held the positions of Chapter President at Valley Water, and Delegate to the South Bay Labor Council. Currently she is the President of Local 101; Delegate to our Council and the Chair of our Local’s Political Action Committee (PAC). She takes great pride in representing the chapter's interests at the monthly Council 57 PAC.
"I got involved with our union because I am a strong advocate for labor, didn’t feel maintenance staff were well represented and I thought I could do more to improve that." - Chris
Derek Tanguay, Secratary,
AFSCME Local 101
Derek Tanguay is part of the Workforce Development team within the Human Resources Division at Valley Water. He collaborates with colleagues to equip staff with the skills and knowledge to excel in their roles and advance their careers. His expertise spans policy writing, instructional design, project management, budget planning, and facilitation.
Previously, Derek served as Chapter President, Vice President, and Secretary/Treasurer at Valley Water. He is currently serving his second term as Secretary with AFSCME Local 101, having initially stepped into the role mid-term to fill a vacancy.
“I got involved with our union because I believe in standing up for others. I’ve seen firsthand how hard-working people struggle in the Bay Area, where the cost of living keeps rising. Being part of a union means standing together for fair wages, health and retirement benefits, and opportunities for everyone to succeed—not just for myself, but for my colleagues, my community, and the next generation.” – Derek A. Tanguay
A Farewell note from Armando "Gary" Ferraris,
Greetings Local 101 Family, I hope this email finds you doing well. As I reflect on the past few years, I am overcome with a mixture of emotions. I am proud of our accomplishments. I am encouraged by our leadership team. I am excited about our future. I am thankful for the friendships we have developed. To sum this up, Wow, what an incredible journey! I have accepted a promotion to a position that is not represented by AFSCME. This promotion is effective October 29, 2023. I am forced to resign as the President of Local 101 Effective Saturday October 28, 2023. Vice President Chris Pilson will assume the office of President. I am working closely with Chris to assure a smooth transition to her Presidency. I am confident Chris will lead Local 101 to another level of success. I have enjoyed watching Chris grow in her leadership roles. Chris combines great knowledge, courage, and dedication with detailed organization in her strong leadership style. I feel content and secure in transferring leadership to her. I want to thank the Officers and Delegates. Without their hard work and dedication, we would not be in the position we are in today. Keep up your great work in the labor movement! Thank you to our Union Representatives: John, Carol, and Jo. Your great knowledge, dedication, and patience is deeply appreciated. Thanks, LaSonya, our Administrative Specialist. Your expertise and focus are unparalleled. A very special thank you to Elaina Shotwell of Seven Nonfiction. Elaina developed and maintains our website and social media pages. Elaina’s creativity, tireless work ethic and attention to detail are remarkable! The biggest thank you goes to you, the members of AFSCME Local 101! It has been a great honor to earn your trust and serve in the role of President of your union! Warm regards, Armando “Gary” Ferraris Outgoing President, AFSCME Local 101
