The 2026-2029 Academic Professionals of California Statewide Officer Election has begun.
On February 23rd after 9:00 am, you will receive an email from our third-party provider, using the email AAAElections@adr.org. The subject line for this email is Academic Professionals of California Statewide Officer Election.
Voting will remain open until March 9th at 5:00 pm. We will vote electronically for this election.
Candidates for President
Mario E. Baeza
APC Presidential Candidate Statement
For more than 30 years, I have led by one guiding principle: service to others. This principle shaped every position throughout my career as an EOP Counselor, Chief Steward, Council Member-at-Large, and statewide leader. It is the core and foundation of my work, leadership, and dedication to all APC members.
My reason for running for APC President is because our union is at a crossroads. We are facing times that no longer require the leadership of yesterday, but rather the leadership vision of tomorrow, one based on transparency, empowerment, and reform. APC must move forward, modernize and rise to the needs of the members we serve more than ever before.
During my time, I strived to make that future a reality. I established the Steward Forum to elevate stewards’ voices and enhance communication across campuses. I developed data reports which are utilized to improve contract negotiations and campus decisions. I contributed to the development of several campaigns aimed at increasing APC’s social media visibility. I developed new and innovative strategies to recruit new members. I also expanded and improved working relationships with HR, campus administrators, labor partners, and legislators to ensure our members are represented at every level of decision-making.
However, mere experience will not do. Transformational change is what APC needs now.
If elected President, I will preside as a reform-minded individual and as someone committed to making APC a stronger
and more united organization by:
- Expanding leadership opportunities so our union is more relevant and valued by the next generation
- Increasing membership through educational, outreach, and visibility efforts that pay tribute to the work of every Unit 4 employee
- Strengthening our steward training and development so our frontline leaders are better informed,
enabled, and supported - Developing more data-informed bargaining approaches to best position us at the table and ensure
equity for all members - Leading with integrity, teamwork, and service; the values I have led throughout my entire working life
I believe in the potential of APC and in the strength of our members. And I know that, together, we can build a union that is modern, united, and ready for the challenges that lie ahead.
I request your support and your vote for APC President.
In Union and in Service,
Mario E. Baeza
"This is our moment to rise, reform, and redefine what APC can be."
Carson Williams
Candidate Statement for APC President (2026 - 2029)
Stepping into the role of APC President would be a meaningful level up, and I am prepared to do my best to rise to that responsibility. Everyone was new once. Over the years I have served as a volunteer city commissioner for Rohnert Park, an HOA board member with Meadow Pines, Chancellor with SOTL, and a business owner (GBA). I am currently in my 22nd year at Sonoma State University working in the Financial Aid Office.
I have been an APC steward since the OO’s. Currently I am Chief Steward at SSU. While I have not served on the executive board, I bring extensive experience speaking truth to power and advocating for fairness within complex institutions and organizations.
We need a legitimate step system and regular GSIs. The CSU continues to play games. Why borrow money you already have? I have closely followed the California budget and related maneuvering for many years. The CSU consistently takes from its workforce, while refusing to pay fair market value. CSU budget strategies that rely on temporary employment are unacceptable.
A school is not a school without students, and they do not succeed without us. We keep our universities running while understaffed and underpaid. We recruit students, retain them, support them through graduation, and help cultivate financially contributing alumni. The CSU would fail entirely without our work. We need fewer managers and more permanent staff.
At this time APC appears to hold a significant surplus as a nonprofit. While this information may not be perfectly current, according to Cause IQ (causeiq.com), the surplus remains substantial. As President, I believe in the short term, all dues paying members should receive a $500 dues rebate during these financially challenging times. Also, I would prioritize hiring more labor relations staff to apply sustained pressure on the CSU, as they negotiate with other bargaining units to exploit moments of distraction. We need critical mass. That surplus should be put to work combating CSU budget manipulation and the ongoing harassment of our members.
Thank you for the opportunity to express myself and for considering my candidacy for APC President for the 2026–2029 term.
A labor union is an organization formed by workers to collectively advocate for fair wages, benefits, working conditions, and workplace rights.
Personal motto:
You must put forth the effort, before you can apply the skill. If all I can do is my best, that’s what I shall do. One planet, one people.
Carson Williams
Candidates for Vice President
Patrick Choi
Re-Elect Patrick Choi APC Vice President
pchoiapc@yahoo.com
It has been an honor to serve as your APC Vice President these past three years. I am grateful for your trust, and respectfully ask for your continued support and vote in my re-election.
APC will have a new majority on the APC Executive Board this upcoming term. My experience and longstanding involvement with APC enables me to provide stability, institutional knowledge, and steady leadership throughout this transition. I have served in multiple Executive Board roles including President, Recording Secretary, and Council Member at Large. I possess a comprehensive understanding of APC’s history on contract negotiations, improvements and gains, including raises and bonus programs.
My Unit 4 experience includes Resident Director, Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Advisor, Academic Advisor, and Assistant Director for Services for Students with Disabilities. I have been Chief Steward at my home campus of Bakersfield for over fifteen years. With nearly thirty years in APC, I bring deep institutional knowledge and a clear understanding of our union’s evolving needs. My contractual experiences include filing grievances not only at my campus to providing testimony at arbitrations and statewide cases involving all campuses.
I have previously served as Bargaining Team Chair for a successor contract and am currently on the Bargaining Team. As CSUB Chief Steward in 2021, I motioned for the approved $500 dues rebate to APC members. As Vice President, I have supported any APC dues rebate and will continue to do so.
The CSU is and will be undergoing a lot of turmoil in the next few years. We have all experienced how the California budget has negatively impacted the University’s ability to replace and retain Unit 4 employees. This has increased our workloads and added stress and responsibilities to remaining employees. APC needs statewide leadership with a strong understanding of how the State budget works to ensure meaningful and productive negotiations at the bargaining table that will lead to improved contracts and working conditions. APC must continue to be actively engaged in the budget process in Sacramento. In my previous positions and current role on the APC Executive Board, I participated in lobbying efforts at the State Capitol to support our results at the bargaining table. If re-elected, I intend to build upon these activities to make sure APC remains a strong advocate for its members.
I remain committed to advocate for you and to ensure our union remains strong and member-focused. I will serve APC with integrity, and unwavering dedication. I have maintained continuous APC membership and have never stepped back from the responsibilities of
leadership. Thank you for your APC membership and for your steadfast support and vote.
Daryl Evans
For APC Vice President
My name is Daryl Evans and am asking for your vote to be the next APC Vice President. I want to be a leader that will work with the Board and membership to increase visibility, activity and vitality throughout our Union and membership.
I have worked at California State University Dominguez Hills since 1997 and currently serve as an Academic Advisor in the College of Business and Public Policy. I have served the union in a wide range of leadership roles, including Campus Steward and Chief Campus Steward, and Chair of the APC Education Committee. I served on the Policy and Procedures Committee and the External Relations Committee. Throughout my membership, I have taken part in several Lobby Days at the State Capitol and rallies at the Chancelor’s Office.
I have been elected by our statewide Council to a position on the Bargaining Team for several years. I am serving as the current Bargaining Chair, leading the team through a sometimes difficult negotiation process.
As Chief Steward at Dominquez Hills, it is my honor to serve our campus membership. My priority has been to fight for each individual to ensure their workplace was a safe environment and that their rights are not impinged on by management. As Vice President of APC that will be my highest priority, service to our members on every campus.
As the Chair of the Education committee, I developed a series of open workshops and townhalls to educate both stewards and members about our contract and to respond to individual member questions and concerns. My goal is to increase that outreach to our members and hopefully inspire others to join in our resolve to improve working conditions on our campuses.
As Vice President, I bring a commitment to an environment where all members will be heard and respected. I have strong leadership skills that were acquired through my experiences working with non-profits and within the corporate world. I will continue to mentor and help develop the future leaders of APC.
Thank you for all you do to make the CSU and APC wonderful organizations.
In union,
Daryl Evans
drevans@csudh.edu
Candidate for Treasurer
Krystal Flores
APC Treasurer Candidate Statement
Academic Professionals of California,
I am honored to run for APC Treasurer for the 2026–2029 term and to have served as your Treasurer over the past year after our long-standing Treasurer retired December 2024. During this time, I have focused on modernizing APC’s financial processes to ensure efficiency and accessibility while maintaining transparency for all our members.
In the past twelve months, I have successfully digitalized the majority of APCs financial operations, eliminated paper forms, and streamlined submission processes for both members and stewards. I established a secure, dedicated email system for document submission and led the transition from paper checks to direct pay through Wells Fargo, reducing administrative costs, minimizing delays, and improving overall turnaround time for reimbursements. Together, these improvements have modernized APC’s operations and made accessing union funds simpler, faster, and more reliable.
In addition, I have transformed how APCs annual budget is presented while maintaining all essential financial details. By developing clear budget area summaries, I have prioritized transparency and made our finances more accessible so that members and stewards can better understand how union funds are allocated and used in support of our collective work.
Beyond my role as Treasurer, I serve on the Bargaining Team, where I advocate for fair compensation and improved working conditions. I am also the Chair of the Communications Committee and have helped lead a re-imagining of the APC brand to ensure our union’s identity is modern, professional, and reflective of the strength of our membership.
Currently, I work at Cal Poly Pomona and have worked within the CSU system since 2020. I am a proud CSU alumna, having earned both my undergraduate and graduate degrees from Cal State LA (go Golden Eagles). My professional and educational experiences within the CSU have given me a deep understanding of the system we serve and reinforces my commitment to responsible, transparent stewardship of our union’s resources.
Thank you for your consideration.
Candidate for Recording Secretary
Edie Brown
Vote Edie Brown for APC Recording Secretary
I respectfully ask for your support in electing me as the APC Recording Secretary. I am running for this role because I believe deeply in effective, transparent, and accountable union governance—and because I want to help ensure APC remains strong, stable, and truly member-driven.
I have worked at Sonoma State University since 2001 and have spent my entire CSU career as a Student Services Professional. I joined APC in 2002 upon becoming permanent and have served the union in a wide range of leadership roles, including Campus Steward, Contract Enforcement Steward, Chief Steward, Chair of the APC Education Committee, long-term Bargaining Team member, and APC President from 2020 to 2023.
Throughout my career, I have balanced advocating for Unit 4 staff —ensuring their rights are respected and enforced—with supporting students through my work in Advising, EOP, and most recently, Basic Needs. These experiences have given me a strong understanding of APC’s governance, operations, and statewide structure, and have reinforced the importance of clear communication, accurate records, and strong institutional memory so that knowledge, decisions, and hard-won gains are not lost when leadership changes.
Serving as APC President during the COVID-19 pandemic underscored how essential continuity, transparency, and reliable documentation are to effective union leadership, especially during periods of rapid change. These lessons align directly with the responsibilities of the Recording Secretary.
As Recording Secretary, I will bring strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a collaborative approach that supports transparent governance and smooth leadership transitions. I am also committed to creating opportunities for future union leadership by mentoring and supporting new and emerging leaders—helping demystify union processes and making leadership more accessible and sustainable over time. I am committed to working in partnership with the next Executive Board, campus leaders, and members statewide to strengthen APC and support all Unit 4 employees.
I respectfully ask for your support and your vote.
In union,
Edie Brown
edielbrown@gmail.com
https://www.youtube.com/@ediebrown5192
Kylie Gutierrez
Candidate for APC Recording Secretary
Hello to my fellow APC members!
To introduce myself, my name is Kylie Gutierrez, and I am running for APC secretary.
I am currently the Program Coordinator at SFSU’s Basic Needs Department, where I provide direct case management to students dealing with financial, housing, and food emergencies. Alongside this, I supervise a student team, host workshops, frequently collaborate with departments and faculty members, and collaborate on our department’s newsletter. I, similarly to you all, work on the front-line serving students daily. As a member of a department that is meant to be rooted in caring for our students’ basic needs, I want to extend that same compassion and direct action to our staff members. Without access to transportation stipends and accessible raises we are unable to support one another in the way we aim to serve our students. Many of us are juggling similar challenges concerning financial stability, rising food costs, housing costs, and general cost of living troubles.
Why should we, as staff members of a university system that relies on our work, sit idly by and wait for a mediocre benefits package and slim chance of a salary increase, especially now that all the presidents from the CSU system have just been granted a 15% annual raise? Why are staff and faculty the only groups on this campus affected by the consequences of the budget deficit?
To address these issues, we need a strong organized front, a strong union. A union that defends our collective and shared interest as front line workers In my candidacy I believe it is fundamental to our well being to be organized as a union body, so that we can…
- Fight for a cost of living adjustment – We live in some of the most expensive cities, in a state with the highest GDP. Why shouldn’t we harness our collective power as front-line workers to organize and fight for a decent contract that addresses our economic needs?
- Achieve campus unity – SFSU has 7 unions on our campus, across the whole CSU system we have 15 in total. Imagine the power that we as workers of these institutions would have if our unions worked together for our collective betterment. One out, all out!
- Labor Solidarity Action – An injury to one is an injury to all. Whether it be our immigrant communities here in the bay, union siblings in Minneapolis who are fighting to defend immigrants from ICE terror, or our other oppressed communities our union should not just stand in solidarity but demonstrate in solidarity.
- Visibility and benefits to commuter staff – The CSU’s at large are known as commuter schools for students because of the high cost of living in these areas – the high cost of living also affects us as commuters. We should be able to access free public transportation through our staff ID to help manage commuting costs.
As essential workers of the CSU system, we shouldn’t just receive occasional handouts when administration feels inclined. We deserve a fair and equitable salary and benefits package that not only meets our basic needs but also allows us to thrive both on and off campus. I have both the passion and the experience to efficiently engage in this role – I hope you all will vote for me for APC secretary!