After ballots for the Executive Board election were counted on Tues., Nov. 12, City of Seattle member-leader Rachael Brooks was announced the new President of PROTEC17. She attended her first Executive Board meeting on Nov. 14, along with long-time member-leader Jennell Hicks from Seattle-King County Public Health, who was was appointed PROTEC17’s newest Trustee, a position that was uncontested.
Both Brooks and Hicks have been very involved in PROTEC17, serving as Stewards and Regional Executive Committee (REC) delegates. Brooks also served on the Executive Director hiring panel earlier this year. Hicks is the Vice President of the King County Chapter and recently won the “Organizer Extraordinaire” award at the REC for her work getting new hires to join PROTEC17.
Several long-time, dedicated member-leaders stepped up to run for positions on the Board, including Darren Wilson (Seattle), Daniel Jones (WSDOT), and Jake Jacobovitch (King County) who competed in a close race for President.
The Executive Board meets once per month to provide oversight on the business of the union between Regional Executive Committee meetings (see recap on p. 6). Brooks’ and Hicks’ first meeting ran a reported seven hours! The two new Board members were able to get up to speed on various union issues, and provide substantative input and feedback.
Congratulations to these two amazing women! Their dedication to this organization and its mission are unmistakable. We look forward to their perspectives and experience helping to shape PROTEC17 during their three-year terms, and making our union even stronger.