Elected Officers

President, Greg Hanle

I graduated from Cabrillo College with my AA in liberal arts in 2005, and I’ve been teaching economics at Cabrillo since 2010.  I have served as a CCFT representative for BSS for most of this time.  I have also taught culinary arts for Cabrillo and was a chef in Santa Cruz restaurants for 15 years as well.

I am honored to be serving as your CCFT President.  I have witnessed several great examples of union presidents during my time here at Cabrillo, and I will do my best to carry on in this tradition.  As we transition to the next group of union officers this school year, I look forward to helping build a team that champions our common cause in advocating for faculty concerns and well-being in our workplace.

greg@ccftcabrillo.org

Full-time Vice President,  Grievance Officer,  Claire Thorson 

I’ve been teaching Art at Cabrillo since 2007. I’ve been an officer for CCFT since 2014. At present I am serving as Full-time Vice President and as Grievance Officer. It’s an honor to support faculty and advocate for high-quality public education while serving in these roles.

I also value the collective strength we build as union members, working together to provide the best education we can for students. Working at the state level with our affiliate union, CFT,  I am further inspired to support faculty in the work of changing lives for the better—supporting our diverse  students through access to higher education.

831-477-3700 ext.1244

clthorso@cabrillo.edu

Vice President, John Govsky

831-466-3269
john@teacherjohn.com

Historian, David Sheftman

I’m delighted to serve our faculty as union historian.  I’m celebrating my 25th year at Cabrillo as a member of the English Department, so I’m pleased to have at least a little bit of historical perspective!  We truly sit on the shoulders of giants, the contributions of all who have served and supported CCFT since our founding in 1985.  I look forward to sharing regular postings on our union’s website about historical milestones we’ve achieved, as well as stories that speak to our collective passions and struggles to protect faculty rights and secure just working conditions and fair compensation.  As Cesar Chavez so beautifully said, “You are never strong enough that you don’t need help.” Count on CCFT members to be that help when you are in need.

  Organizing Chair, Megan Baranski Alisago

Hello All, my name is Megan Baranski Alisago and I will be the new Organizing Chair of CCFT in Fall of 2026. I am looking forward to working with Greg Hanle, the incoming president and increasing participation in the union. I am passionate about teaching and supporting Diversity Equity and Inclusion on campus. We are in such unprecedented and uncertain times, and I feel like we need strength in numbers more than ever. I want to have more in person meetings, to be able to get together and have organic conversations about what is important to us. I have been a nurse for 25 years and have been teaching with Cabrillo since 2018. I am the level one coordinator for the nursing program and I’m dedicated to physical and mental health of our community.

Treasurer, Steve Hodges

I’m excited to step into my role as Treasurer for the Cabrillo College Federation of Teachers. I’ve been at Cabrillo since 1990, and a full time instructor since 1998. I was inspired to teach when I was a student here by Susan Nerton, former chair for the Computer Science department. I’m a past president of the faculty Senate. I’m frequently asked about my opinion on A.I. I think that “A.I. is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I’ve ever known in my life.”

Chief Negotiator, Albi Romero 

I teach chemistry because I’m passionate about science, and I want this tool to be accessible to all.  Scientific literacy, even at a basic level, allows us to observe the interconnected nature of the world, and encourages us to make rational decisions.  At the other end of the spectrum, it empowers a new generation to further increase our collective understanding of the universe we all share.  I teach at Cabrillo because I grew up in Santa Cruz, and the instructors I encountered at Cabrillo challenged me, supported me, and completely changed the direction of my life.  I will be forever grateful to them, and aspire to repay them by doing the same for others in our community.

I have always been politically aware and an informed voter.  I joined the CCFT Council and agreed to become the COPE Chair motivated by outrage over the inequities perpetuated by our systems of government at every level and my sheer frustration at the lack of change.  Complaining and trying to affect change by voting twice a year didn’t seem like enough.  Since I have become active in the union, I have learned so much more about the inner workings of these systems.  My outrage may have increased, but my sense of hopelessness has evaporated.  My voice matters.  My actions can make a difference.  I have rallied and protested locally, marched in Sacramento, lobbied politicians, campaigned, joined forces with other unions, and made some life-long friends in the process.  We won’t win every battle, but we’re certain to lose if we don’t organize and fight.  I encourage you to become active in our union, become an activist by donating your time and money to our COPE efforts, and work with us to make the system a little fairer for us all.

alromero@cabrillo.edu

Communications Director, Kendall Sooter 

I am honored to serve our faculty union as the Communications Director. I teach in Communication Studies because I believe in empowerment, using your voice, and creating change. I serve on the faculty union to support our faculty and to advocate for equity. If you have something you want to share, please reach out! 

kendall@ccftcabrillo.org 

Associate Faculty Committee Chair, Jasper Billings

Executive Director, Daniel Dodge Sr.

Daniel was raised in the beautiful Monterey Bay He worked with the ground-breaking Voting Rights Attorney, Joaquin Avila, on several Voting Rights cases throughout the State of California.

Daniel has an extensive record of community involvement. He has served his community in many roles. As the former Political Director of the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council (MBCLC) he helped lead and organize solidarity actions and political campaigns in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. In 2010, Daniel was elected to the City Council of Watsonville and served as Mayor of Watsonville in 2011.

Daniel has returned to his labor roots and is currently the Executive Director of the Cabrillo College Federation of Teachers, AFT 4400. Daniel manages the day-to-day operations of the local including providing direct assistance to the President and is a member of the negotiations team.

Daniel continues to be of service to his community. He is also currently serving as serving on the Board of Directors of the County of Santa Cruz Workforce Development Board.

831 464.2238

daniel@ccftcabrillo.org

Office Specialist & Program Assistant, Nahara Villalobos 

nahara@ccftcabrillo.org

Council of Representatives:

• ACCESS: Sabine Arbelbide, Salvetoria Larter
• ELLA: Sherrie Hueter, Will Mullaney
• BSS: Luz Hoyt, Cassidy Sterling, Emily Dansker, Sarah Reinhard, Matt Escover, Angie Mendoza  
• HPS: Barbara Johnson, Tiffany Cesarin, Teresa Kidwiler, Brandy Dickinson 
• STEM: Lenny Leum, Eric Miles, Cristy Pazera 
• VAPA: Heather Gray, Lesley Louden, Sam Clarkson
• Lib/Health Services/TASS: Katie Dowling  
• CEWD: Serena Federman
• Watsonville: Trista Bailey & Denise Russo

Representative Seats Are Often Available: Contact the executive director for more information at daniel@ccftcabrillo.org.