Attachment from Allen Vinson
In what way(s) are you or have you been active in the Pleasant Hill community? * I have served on the Pleasant Hill Planning Commission since 2016. I have been involved in the review and approval of several major projects, including updating the General Plan, the new Library, Choice in Aging, new subdivisions and related projects, as well as all the other matters and issues that come before the commission.
I served one year as Chair of the Planning Commission and was a member of GPAC early in the process.
I currently represent the Planning Commission on the Economic Development Committee.
My wife Sandy and I served for 13 years as members of the Pleasant Hill 4th of July Commission. I served as President for two years. Planning began every September and culminated with a full day of events on the 4th. For 9 years I chaired the Firecracker 5K Fun Run and helped plan and work on all of the day’s events: Fun Run, Parade, Party in the Park and Fireworks show at College Park High School. I negotiated the use agreement with MDUSD for the use of the field at College Park for the fireworks show. I was also involved in fundraising for the event.
In 2018, my wife Sandy and I were recognized as Pleasant Hill’s Citizens of the Year for 2017.
That year, I also obtained a grant to fund the installation of a bench by the Hospice Tree next to the Rec and Park offices.
On behalf of our local Veterans Day Committee and the 4th of July Commission, I have appeared before the Pleasant Hill Rec & Park Board and the City Council Budget Committee to submit written proposals and oral presentations to successfully partner with these entities in sponsoring and hosting these events.
I volunteer for a number of Pleasant Hill events, so I am often out and about interacting and observing the city and its residents.
This past year, I volunteered at three Rec and Park events: Easter Egg Hunt, Haunted Trail and the Holiday Festival. I handled check-in for the Easter Egg Hunt, was a greeter on the Haunted Trail and a photographer at the Holiday Festival. It was evident that Pleasant Hill has and attracts many young, diverse families. All enjoyed themselves.
I have also volunteered at the summer Blues and Brews Festival, the Chamber of Commerce Art, Wine and Music Festival, Meals on Wheels, turkey carving for Christmas for Everyone and other local events and activities on a regular basis.
Briefly, other community activities in which I have been involved include:
•President of the Rotary Club of Pleasant Hill 2017-18/Current Membership Chair •Chair of the Rotary Club’s St. Patrick’s Auction Committee •Publicity Chair – Pleasant Hill 4th of July Commission – 6 years •Pleasant Hill Elementary School Site Council
•Assisted in development of PHE school safety plan
•Pleasant Hill Baseball and Soccer Associations coach and commissioner •Participant in Community Service Day
•Volunteer photographer for various events
Why do you want to be on the City Council?
The decisions made by local government, such as city council, school boards, and water districts, have a daily impact on the residents of Pleasant Hill. I have been involved in making such decisions as a member of the Planning Commission and would like to continue that role as a council member.
Having served on the Planning Commission, a position on City Council is a logical next step for me. I have the experience of 6 years of Planning Commission meetings. In addition, I have attended or watched almost every City Council meeting for the past few years. I have also watched every Pleasant Hill Rec and Park meeting for the past 2 ½ years, so I have a great deal of knowledge about what is going on in our city.
I have periodically watched other commission and city meetings, such as Commission on Aging, Budget Committee and Civic Action Commission, and am familiar with their roles.
At the current time, I notice that two committee vacancies that may be filled by the new appointee include the General Plan Committee and the Interview and Nominating Subcommittee. My experience on GPAC and the Planning Commission would be useful for serving on the General Plan Committee and as someone who has been an employer and interview panel member, my experience would be beneficial to this subcommittee.
As pointed out elsewhere in this application, I have successfully chaired and led the Planning Commission, the non-profit 4th of July Commission and the Rotary Club of Pleasant Hill.
Anyone applying for City Council needs to know that if appointed, they will be taking on a great deal of work. I understand that. I am not an applicant that is telling you what I will do if selected – I am already doing work on behalf of the city. If selected, I am well prepared to assume the role of council member.
What experience would you bring to the Council that you feel would be of most benefit to the City and its residents, businesses, and visitors?
As a member of the Planning Commission, I have experience reviewing lengthy board packets, sharing opinions, collaborating with fellow commissioners to find solutions to problems, interacting with the public during public comment and making findings of fact.
As a member of the Economic Development Committee, I was involved in the creation of the highly successful Pleasant Hill Perks program.
While serving as President of the Pleasant Hill 4th of July Commission, I handled unexpected problems or issues that arose during the planning or on the day of the event. Members of the public would often state that they were surprised by and appreciative of how quickly I responded to emails or other inquiries about the event.
I was an attorney for over 40 years. I served as the managing partner of a law firm specializing in education law. My practice emphasized general school law, administrative hearings, employer-employee issues and facilities/construction issues.
EXPERIENCE
Hearing Officer
I served as a hearing officer for school districts and county offices of education on a regular basis.
My role included:
- Serving as the independent hearing officer to conduct the hearing and prepare the proposed decision for the Governing Board or County Superintendent, or - Conducting the hearing for the Governing Board. The board members are in attendance and make the final decision. My role was to serve as the hearing officer and conduct the hearing, including introduction of evidence, opening statements and stipulations, swearing in of witnesses, ruling on objections, advising the board on relevant law, and assisting in preparation of the decision.
Legal Counsel for School Districts and County Offices of Education I worked with California school districts and county offices of education for almost 40 years.
I have represented school districts in contract negotiations, facilities and construction matters, administrative hearings, civil litigation, developer fee issues, district reorganizations, Brown Act issues, sexual harassment issues, election issues, conflict of interest, employee discipline and student related issues.
EDUCATION
B.S. Business Administration, graduated with honors, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
J.D., with honors, John F. Kennedy School of Law
SEMINARS, CONFERENCES & PUBLICATIONS
When actively practicing law, I presented numerous seminars for school districts, county offices of education, and other associations, on a variety of topics, including sexual harassment, work related illness and injury, the Brown Act, the California Public Records Act, employee evaluations, public records requests, and collective bargaining.
Eslam Najjar
Elementary/Middle School Educator
28 Cleopatra Drive
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
[email protected]
EXPERIENCE
Local Homeschooling Cooperative, Lafayette - Teacher
September 2013 - PRESENT
● Early Childhood Department Coordinator, 3 years
● Operations Committee, 3 years
● Coop Culture Committee, 2021 - Current
● Worked as lead teacher in various subjects and grades (Early Childhood to 8th grade) for the past ten years
IMAN, Chicago - After-School Program Coordinator
2001 - 2003
● Managed all program logistics (budget, location, recruitment) for elementary/middle school after-school tutoring program and summer camp
EDUCATION
DePaul University, Chicago - BA/BS Secondary Education
Class of 2006
SKILLS
● Public Speaking, Leadership, Adaptability, Collaboration, Organization, Project Management, Problem Solving, Writing, Interpersonal Communication
● Photography, Video Editing, Google Docs/Spreadsheets/Slides, Social Media Marketing, Administrative Skills, Data Entry, Typography, Print Design
Chris Tipton
[email protected]
City Council Applications Questions:
In what way(s) are you or have you been active in the Pleasant Hill community?
In 2012, I began my incredible Pleasant Hill Experience. I was looking to get involved in the Pleasant Hill Community, so I reached out to City Hall. My first interaction was with our dear friend Martin Nelis. He suggested I check out the 4th of July Commission, which I did, and have been involved with it ever since.
Over these past 11 years, I have held many positions on the commission, which included: Park Event Chair, 5K Run Chair, Vice-President, and President. I have been actively involved in the commission’s budget management and the necessary annual fundraising of over $60,000 in order to put on the city’s largest single-day event. I am very proud of the events we’ve put on over the years and especially proud of the fact that since I’ve been on the commission, the 5K Run has raised over $100,000 for Pleasant Hill Schools.
During the pandemic, the 4th of July event was looking like it was going to be shut down completely (like everything else in the world), but I didn’t think we should give up. So I pushed for a modified celebration and brought my proposal to the City Council and City Manager. During those dark days, it was important to me to try and bring some joy to the community. Since people couldn’t come to the parade, we would bring it to them. We organized a two-hour auto parade that weaved through the city’s various neighborhoods.
Seeing kids escape their homes and the look of surprise on their faces as a parade came down their street was worth it. I also hired a “Happy 4th of July Pleasant Hill” aerial banner flying over the city, we had live music on our website, and a house decorating contest. Local TV news crews soon arrived and reported on our city’s “never give up” mentality during the pandemic. Out of all the 4th of July celebrations that I‘ve been involved with, that one sits at the top.
I was also appointed to the Civic Action Commission from 2014 -2018. This included organizing and participating in the Concerts by the Lake Series, Light up the Night, Community Service Day, and Senior Day. At the end of my 4-year appointment, I was honored to receive the Award of Appreciation from the City of Pleasant Hill.
In 2015, I reached out to the City’s Economic Development Manager, Kelly Calhoun, regarding the city’s new Gateway Project. I joined the Advisory Committee and participated in the project’s focus group. I worked with Kelly and John Gibbs (from WRT Designs) and helped develop various gateway concepts. I also presented with Mr.
Gibbs our concepts to the Architectural Review Commission. The results of our hard work are the beautiful gateway signs you see when you enter Pleasant Hill.
In 2016, I was involved in the door-to-door campaign to support the city’s proposed ballot Measure K. The measure was a half percent sales tax for the next 20 years. $39M was needed in city infrastructure needs to repair failing streets, storm drains, and potholes. It was also necessary to secure funding for a badly needed library. There was strong opposition to the measure and the new library, but I understood the need and its long-term benefits. I volunteered to help put up signs, put out door hangers, and went door to door talking with residents about the benefits of this measure and the positive impact it would have on our community. The benefits of this measure are obvious as you drive around our beautiful city today and the new library is now one of the city’s many crown jewels.
In 2019, looking for ways to help out, I heard that the Pleasant Hill Foundation for Education needed help to get it back up and running. I joined the foundation’s Board of Directors and worked on the website and provided content for the social media platforms. Unfortunately, after months of planning, the COVID pandemic hit, and the foundation has been on hold ever since. This is something I would like to pick up where we left off and resume its mission to provide grants to Pleasant Hill teachers.
In 2020, I reached out to Gayle Vasser, who was the city’s temporary Public Information Officer. She had come out of retirement to assist with the city’s communications after the tragic loss of Martin Nelis. From my years on various commissions and foundations, I had really enjoyed doing Public Relations and reached out to see if I could help. I worked on several projects for her. Some of these included: Producing the online Pleasant Hill Community Service Award Show via Zoom, a social media campaign leading up to Memorial Day that spotlighted 6 Pleasant Hill veterans, a Polystyrene Ban Research and Report regarding the city’s consideration to limit the use of Expanded Polystyrene Foam, and a social media video campaign informing residents about the new ballot drop box installed at City Hall.
Over the years, I also wrote several pieces for the Community Outlook, promoting events, encouraging others to volunteer, and touting our city’s virtues. The reason I wrote those was that I have gotten so much enjoyment and satisfaction from volunteering in my community. Unlike my years working in the movie industry, I saw my efforts have a real impact on the community and my hope was that I might help others discover the same thing. Its effect on me has inspired a change in my career path and dedicate the rest of my life to working for community-based non-profit organizations and local government.
Why do you want to be on the City Council?
After college, I worked in Los Angeles for 15 years in the movie industry. I started out working on set for commercials and then independent films. I moved up to a larger production company with 20th Century Fox and worked in script development for big studio movies like Gulliver Travels, Garfield, Flight of the Phoenix, Alien vs. Predator, and I Robot. It sounds exciting, but I didn’t find the work very fulfilling. I was putting in long hours, but at the end of the day, none of it mattered. On a trip to visit some friends, my wife and I discovered Pleasant Hill. It reminded me of the small mid-west town I grew up in as a kid in Ohio. I have fond memories of that town- going to ice cream socials, concerts in the park, parades, and sitting in the town square watching fireworks on the 4th of July. My wife and I fell in love with Pleasant Hill and decided to move here in 2010 with our two kids. I got a job with Lucasfilm and continued to work in the movie industry, but I still felt disconnected from my work. It wasn’t until I joined the 4th of July Commission that I found my passion as a community leader. I love encouraging civic engagement and doing things that have a positive effect on the residents where I live.
I’m helping to create fond memories in the lives of Pleasant Hill families, just like the ones I made as a kid.
I’d like to continue doing that and feel that I am ready to do it as a Pleasant Hill City Council member. What better way to have a positive impact on my community than to help shape it and make incremental improvements in the lives of its residents? I believe that government has a very important responsibility. Given the proper leadership, it has the power to do so many important things for its residents. However, that leadership should come from those that have experience in civic engagement and understands the city’s community and its culture. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to experience all of these things through my years of volunteering, which I believe makes me uniquely suited for a position on the Council.
What experience would you bring to the Council that you believe would be of most benefit to the City and its residents, businesses, and visitors? When I talk to residents interested in volunteering for the Pleasant Hill 4th of July Commission, one of the things I always stress is how our commissioners get incredible exposure to various aspects of our community. Just from a fundraising standpoint, I engage with many of the local businesses, church groups, non-profit community organizations, the Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Pleasant Hill. I have learned how to build a conservative but flexible budget, write grant applications, and present financial reports. For permits, logistics, and trash & recycling planning, I have worked with members of Rec & Park, Public Works, Planning Division, Mount Diablo School District, Pleasant Hill PD, Contra Costa County Fire, California Highway Patrol, and Republic Services. The knowledge, experience, municipal engagement, and familiarity with our community I have built over the years are invaluable to a position on the Council. This is in addition to the experience I have gained from my years on the Civic Action Commission, and various other community volunteering opportunities I previously discussed. I believe that in order to govern properly, you must first put in the work to really understand the community and all the pieces that make it run.
The other experience I bring to the council relates to my current day job.
From my years volunteering for our community, I picked up the skills and a love for working in Communications and Public Relations. I went back to school to hone those skills, but I also developed a desire to work full-time for a local non-profit that had a positive impact on my community. So this past summer, I was hired as the Communications and Public Relations Manager for the East Bay Rental Housing Association
One of the most important issues facing the Bay Area is housing. The lack of housing growth over the years across the East Bay has contributed to the increase in homelessness and crime. New affordable housing construction has not kept up with job and population growth, putting a strain on local businesses and schools as they struggle to hire a workforce that has been priced out of the area. Available, safe, and affordable homes are an important element in helping to curb those issues. The East Bay Rental Housing Association is a non-profit organization that serves the rental housing community in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties. It is a rental housing resource for our 1600 members who own and manage over 43,000 rental-housing units and provide homes for over 120,000 Bay Area residents.
The wealth of knowledge I have learned since I began working for EBRHA and will continue to learn will be a tremendous resource for the Pleasant Hill City Council. The development of the city’s new 2023-2031 Housing Element was an opportunity to have a community conversation about how to address local housing challenges and find solutions. Going forward, in order for the city to meet its RHNA goals and maintain control over housing decisions in the future, it will be important that the members of the City Council are knowledgeable about other surrounding city and county laws, as well as potential legislation coming out of Sacramento that is surrounding rental housing, affordable housing, high density, and mix-use construction.
I currently sit on a bi-weekly Legislative Policy Committee that tracks legislation across cities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. We also track statewide bills in Sacramento that affect renters, rental housing providers, and new housing construction.
These issues range from EV charging requirements, fumigation bans, and renter tax credits, to homeless programs, anti-discrimination laws, eviction moratoriums, rent control, fair chance, and more.
My job also involves meeting with various Council Members, Mayors, Chambers, Rotary groups, and Housing Authorities across Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Some of the organizations I am building relationships with include the Bay Area Council, Berkeley Property Owners Association, National Apartment Association, California Rental Housing Association, California Apartment Association, and Casita Coalition. As well as renter protection organizations like the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, and Housing Now!
I think it’s important to meet and talk to everyone and draw upon many different viewpoints and opinions before making a decision that affects the lives of others. It’s also important to take the time to understand the available data surrounding various issues so that our decisions have long-term, positive effects, rather than short-term fixes.
Obviously, there are many other important issues facing our city other than housing.
However, I believe that the relationships I have built through years of volunteering and continuing to build through my job will be very beneficial to helping me understand current and upcoming issues when it comes to the needs of the community.
These are the experiences and resources I bring to the council.
Please indicate any further information or comments you wish to make that would be helpful in considering your candidacy.
There is a lot to be done. Bringing in someone who has been involved with the city, its council members, businesses, organizations, and residents will save so much wasted time as I know I can hit the ground running.
I understand the culture and mentality of its residents and know that I will perform at the highest level in order to represent them in a way that will make them proud. I want to ensure that Pleasant Hill retains its small-town charm and provides its residents with a safe home for their families to build lifelong memories. I want all its residents to have an incredible Pleasant Hill Experience.
Christopher Tipton
EXPERIENCE (Continued):
PLEASANT HILL CIVIC ACTION COMMISSION | Pleasant Hill, CA (2014 - 2018) Commission responsible for planning various city sponsored events.
Commissioner / Community Organizer
• Appointed to the commission by members of the City Council to help with civic engagement events including: Summer Concert Series, Community Service Day, Light up the Night. • Received the AWARD OF APPRECIATION from the City of Pleasant Hill for my 4 years on the commission.
LUCASFILM LTD. / INDUSTRIAL LIGHT & MAGIC | San Francisco, CA (2010 - 2014) ILM is the Visual Effects Division of Lucasfilm Ltd.
Global Production Manager
• Responsible for building partnerships with external companies and overseeing an annual average of $20M-$30M of work sent out globally to companies in China, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Macedonia & Singapore. • Projects include Pirates of the Caribbean 4, Mission Impossible: 4, Super 8, Cowboys & Aliens, Transformers 3, The Avengers, Pacific Rim, Star Trek 2, and The Lone Ranger.
• Established, implemented, and managed the communications best practices and workflow for all external global partners including creating internal ILM Global Production Newsletter. • Ensured constant communication external Producers in order to build a trusting relationship, maintain schedule, budget, and quality assurance.
• Successfully navigated between various internal ILM & Lucasfilm departments (Accounting, Business Affairs, IS, IT, Production, Logistics, Travel, Training, Scheduling, and Global Pipeline) to ensure efficient communication.
DAVIS ENTERTAINMENT / Los Angeles, CA (2006 - 2010)
Film & TV Production Company for 20th Century Fox with over $2 billion in box office revenue.
Creative Executive
• Interacted with production team and on screen talent to make sure creative notes were communicated. • Involved with over 16 feature films that have grossed over $2 Billion worldwide: Gulliver Travels, Dr. Dolittle 4, Garfield’s Fun Fest, Garfield Gets Real, Eragon, Garfield: Tail of Two Kitties, When A Stranger Calls, Flight of the Phoenix, Fat Albert, First Daughter, Alien vs. Predator, I Robot.
• I evaluated, developed, and sold marketable branded properties, books, scripts, and pitches for live action and animated feature films and TV.
• Managed 30 to 40 projects in various stages of development and composed detailed notes on a large volume of information (20-30 pitches, scripts and books a week).
EDUCATION:
IAP CAREER COLLEGE - Public Relations
SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY - Cinema Production
CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY - Theater Production
COMPUTER SKILLS:
• PC/Mac - Windows & OS X
• Microsoft Office
• Google Docs
• Act!
• Salesforce
• iMovie & Final Cut
• Filemaker Pro
• Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
• Canva & Photosho
City Council Application
In what way(s) are you or have you been active in the Pleasant Hill community? * I have been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) for almost 7 years and I have had the privilege of working with families in our community to provide support to their children who had varying diagnoses. I worked in their homes, in the community setting, and in classroom settings to teach social, life, and executive functioning skills. This allowed me the opportunity to identify resources that are lacking and experience the stigma associated with being different.
As part of my role, I led our Sensory Santa Night event for the neurodivergent. We created an evening where the whole family was invited for a holiday event with the highlight being pictures with Santa in a room that can be converted to meet the specific needs of the child. For many families, this was the first holiday family photo they had with their whole family. For others it was a night out where their child was paired with an aid, and they could watch them engage with the community while also having the opportunity to meet others. I believe we can do more for the differently abled families.
I have had the opportunity to participate with my family in events put on by the city and the Recreation and Parks District. Our participation includes volunteering during community service day, volunteering in multiple school garden programs, donating needed supplies, and volunteering in the classrooms and on field trips.
Why do you want to be on the City Council?
My decision to apply for this vacancy stems from my desire to collaborate and hold true to the goals of the City Council for a city that is safe, a city that is well planned, and a city that provides a high quality of life too it’s residents.
While campaigning in 2022, I walked and knocked on doors with my volunteers. I personally knocked on the doors of 60% of homes in Pleasant Hill. I had many conversations on the doorstep, through email, via text message, phone call, and Zoom chats with individual members of our community. I learned about their lives, their priorities, and what they are seeking within the City of Pleasant Hill. It was an honor to meet each person, and I am thankful for their time and conversations. Issues that resonated with me focus on Pleasant Hill families who are unsure if they can afford to stay in Pleasant Hill, families who are worried about their safety walking and biking in Pleasant Hill, families and individuals who are feeling isolated from their community, and residents who want to see Pleasant Hill be a leader in sustainability.
Pleasant Hill city staff and council members worked tirelessly to put together the general plan for this certification period. The housing element being the most difficult, as it required implementation of numerous state laws, has increased our RHNA expectation for the next 8 years. After multiple town halls and opportunities for public comment and review, the draft plan is in for the HCD review. Most of Pleasant Hill is already built out, therefore it was imperative for the City Planning Team to look at underutilized areas.
Our housing element includes rezoning established areas into mixed use higher density areas.
Partnering with the right developer, who considers our community needs, will bring opportunities for increased walkability, bike-ability, and small business. Mixed use development will bring workforce housing, adding to the diversity of our city. Our community will thrive as a wellplanned and well-balanced city.
To create balance, we need representatives from different backgrounds, different areas of Pleasant Hill, and different generations. I want to provide a voice for the underrepresented members of the community that might not feel seen or heard. During my 2022 campaign, I spoke with individuals who believed that their area was not represented on the City Council.
This included immigrants and transplants, families with young children, and working class communities. My generation needs to have a representative who values sustainability as well as a safe and walkable Pleasant Hill.
My focus aligns with the existing City Council Goal 1 c: To improve traffic safety around the city, specifically around schools. As a parent with young children, I am advocating for increasing our walkability and pedestrian and bike safety. I will work to accomplish this goal by listening to our community, partnering with districts that serve Pleasant Hill and County partners, and collaborating with fellow Council members and city staff.
Currently, the Bicycle and Pedestrian master plan is being updated and proposed for adoption.
At the most recent planning commission meeting on January 24th 2023, there were multiple members of the public that commented on the plan voicing their desire to see connected, protected bike lanes and accessible sidewalks around our schools. The community is asking for safety corridors or protected pathways in busy intersections and crossings of 680 and 242, adequate upgrades of the existing interchanges, and proposing new bike/walk bridges or underpasses. With Pleasant Hill being a drive through city, a balance needs to be struck where the community that lives here has their needs met, and the commuters who pass through do not cause traffic congestion.
I am a firm believer that change happens on the local level and our quality of life is dependent on what decisions are made on the City Council. As Pleasant Hill continues to grow and adapt to the new mandates, I will partner with my fellow Council members, our County Partners, and our residents to promote a high quality of life for our community in a sustainable way.
What experience would you bring to the Council that you believe would be of most benefit to the City and its residents, businesses, and visitors? As the Northern California Regional Director of Quality Assurance for a Mental Health Company, I have worked alongside multiple county partners, the State of California, and federal regulators to provide services for the underserved and underrepresented individuals and families. We work with the unhoused youths, individuals struggling with addiction, mental health problems, and are a safe place for the LGBTQIA+ community. My job is to identify needs and collaborate with the Agency and County Partners for the best outcome for individuals seeking housing, doctor appointments, mental health services, and creating safe environments for LGBTQIA+ returning home.
I am issue driven and I care for the well-being of families in Pleasant Hill and Contra Costa County. I believe collaboration is key in finding common ground to benefit our community. As a BCBA, I provided direct services to families in their most difficult times. I learned to be patient, look at the bigger picture, and how to navigate difficult conversations. I volunteered at Oakland Children’s Hospital, setting up activities for the inpatient children allowing their families time to leave their bedside and get things done. I volunteered in an assisted living facility in Colorado for the elderly who suffered from dementia and Alzheimer’s. I also volunteered with a hospice and sat with loved ones so they would never be alone. My experience across multiple opportunities has taught me how to listen to every stakeholder, how to collaborate with differing views, and to work tirelessly to achieve the best outcome for all.
I also have personal life experiences. As a child, my parents sometimes had to resort to saltine crackers melted in water as baby food. We shared a mattress on the floor and cockroaches in our cabinets was normal. Through hard work and perseverance, our family situation improved, and we began to have a full pantry and an opportunity to live in a safe neighborhood. I’ve attended and graduated College and Graduate School, I’ve worked 3 jobs to make ends meet, and now I have a family of my own and am a mother to 2 young children.
My professional and life experiences have shaped me into a collaborative problem solver who gets things done. As a council member, my spirit of inquiry, dedication to the community, and my lived experience will benefit Pleasant Hill. I bring the perspective of many families who are Pleasant Hill’s quickly growing population.
Please indicate any further information or comments you wish to make that would be helpful in considering your candidacy.
In the 2022 election cycle I walked many different neighborhoods of Pleasant Hill, had many conversations with our residents, and found the common theme of community. The long-term residents stay here because they love the small-town feel. The new residents moved here to find a sense of belonging to a community. Pleasant Hill is the place where all families can belong, and I can work with council to ensure our underrepresented families can thrive as well.
If appointed to represent the residents of Pleasant Hill, I will lead with integrity and collaborate with my colleagues and city staff to ensure Pleasant Hill is a growing community that focuses on building relationships, adding to the small town feel where you know your neighbors, and someone is always available to lend a helping hand.
It is important to me that all residents of Pleasant Hill feel heard, have a sense of belonging, and have opportunities to be successful. I am issue driven and believe that common ground can be found when we seek the best for our community.
ZHANNA THOMPSON
Pleasant Hill | | [email protected]| ZhannaThompson.com | BCBA
SUMMARY
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with strong leadership and communicative skills focused on opportunities in management. Proficient in time management, organizational structure, attention to detail, and process improvement strategy. Skilled in critical thinking and problem-solving skills stemming from experiences across multiple fields and volunteer opportunities.
EXPERIENCE and EDUCATION
Stars Behavioral Health Group Antioch, CA
Regional Director of Quality Assurance, BCBA Dec ‘21–Current ● Facilitate and implement Rapid Cycle Improvement Projects (RCIP’s) regionally and by agency to streamline efficiency, effectiveness and align to Federal, States and County mandates ● Re-define and develop Continuous Quality Improvement initiatives (CQI) to align with changes implemented by CalAim and new County requirements
Trumpet Behavioral Health Antioch, CA
Regional Manager, Senior Clinician (BCBA) Feb ‘17–Dec ’21 ● Designed and implemented program models that allowed staff to meet stakeholder requirements and deadlines utilizing video modeling and electronic data collection. The program model was adopted across the northern california region and increased stakeholder satisfaction and referrals for services. ● Spearheaded an employee retention program by creating additional opportunities for growth within the company while decreasing the amount of turnover through a peer mentoring program within the company. Leading the process of adapting the program company wide across multiple states. ● Developed schedules that can be implemented across varying clients and produce a template for employees to follow for increased skill acquisitions rates. ● Increased quality assurance by putting systems in place for effective communication that can be transitioned through the management tiers.
● Developed a platform for developing effective program models, data recording, and communication with stakeholders by piloting multiple projects across platforms with my teams. Projects piloted have increased team efficiency and work life balance.
● Overseeing 6 clinical teams consisting of clinicians (BCBAs), RBTs, therapists and administrative staff in 4 diverse regions within northern California.
Clinician (BCBA) Feb ‘17–Nov ‘17
● Developed individualized programs from intake to graduation across a diverse population of clients. ● Designed an assessment training system to bridge the gap for new BCBAs and supporting staff. ● Provided training across multiple teams for individualized program implementations. ● Focused on meeting the needs of the stakeholders with quick turnaround times and communicating effectively on project plans through weekly meetings, training, and collaboration with all parties involved.
Center for Autism and Related Disorders Walnut Creek, CA Assistant Supervisor (RBT, BCAT) Jan ‘14–Feb ‘17
● Assisted in developing and implementing in-home and center based behavioral programs, re-authorization report writing, provided team member and parent training in DTT and NET programs ● Took on lead trainer responsibilities for incoming staff and developed quality assurance tracking systems to monitor progress of staff and provide additional support as needed. ● Conducted School Observations paired with drafting summaries and proposed recommendations. ● Conducted bi-weekly patient meetings with parents, clients, and staff to review program modifications under the supervision of senior clinical staff.
● Mentored over 15 senior and entry level therapists across 20 projects.
Behavioral Therapist (RBT, BCAT) Jan ‘14–Nov ‘15
● Implemented DTT and NET programming in home, community, and center settings ● Collaborated during team meetings on reporting and updating strategies to increase client success in skill acquisition.
Architect Mason Kirby, Inc San Francisco, CA
Office Manager Jul ‘12–Nov ‘14
● Maximized profit by 300% by growing the team and shifting the focus on the types of projects bid and accepted.
● Increased referrals by developing relationships within the community and vendors ● Initiated and implemented a project organization system with weekly meetings to track project progress and increase timely completion on builds.
● Organized and attended meetings between potential stakeholders and team for project discussions. ● Created and maintained systems for accounting and bookkeeping ● Filled available positions by posting opportunities and conducting interviews ● Conducted necessary employee training on CAD systems and updated platforms. ● Developed and administered multiple marketing schedules ● Initiated collaborative design discussions and decisions by restructuring communication within the office.
Massen Medical Inc. Hayward, CA
Clerk Aug ‘06–Aug ‘10
● Oversaw multiple schedules, including personal and professional ● Created and maintained an organizational system for office documents ● Initiated and transferred documents to a digital platform ● Improved office efficiency by delegating tasks and developing role requirements during the daily schedule.
● Implemented training for new staff
Slavic Community Center Castro Valley, CA
Volunteer Camp Coordinator Jan ‘05–Aug ‘10
● Spearheaded the summer camp program in the local Slavic community to provide a summer camp for immigrants and Refugees in the United States, as well as a summer program in a school for orphans in Russia.
● Took on the responsibility of writing and developing every aspect of the camp program to fit the changing needs of the community yearly.
● Delivered the project(s) to stakeholders on time and under budget. ● Delegated tasks across multiple committees and managed multiple projects with tight deadlines. ● Partnered and cultivated relationships with vendors.
● Resolved unforeseen circumstances quickly and efficiently, while maintaining a high level of professionalism and enjoyment
● Transitioned the program successfully to the local Slavic community Arizona State University Tempe, AZ
M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction (Applied Behavior Analysis) Aug ‘16 Colorado Christian University Lakewood, CO
B.A., Psychology May ‘12