The APSA Election will be held from April 23, 2025, to April 29, 2025.   

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This year we will have 2 Executive Board Officer positions, Vice President and Corresponding Secretary, along with 4 Board of Directors positions.

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PREVIEW DESCRIPTIONS and NOMINATIONS below:

SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION at https://forms.microsoft.com/r/XgTCGaFxXs

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Please review the position descriptions below:

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Vice President 

Term of office: Aug. 1, 2025 – July 31, 2029 - 4 years
Remuneration: $775/month 

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Duties:

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• Serve as a liaison to Association representatives on designated committees and provide reports to the Executive Board of activities of designated committees that apply to the Association in the absence of any other reporting member.

• Perform duties common to all Executive Board members as listed in Section 5.4. 

• Perform those tasks and duties that result from any grievance of concern arising from proper or improper administration of any Association contracts.

• Consult with Association members and bargaining unit employees, as needed, including, but not limited to, concerns about contract issues or events in the person’s workplace.

• Coordinate grievance paperwork.

• Resolve or recommend methods of resolution to any such grievance matters that arise, reporting same to the President and/or Executive Board.

• Represent members involving the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE), in any capacity of Claimant, Witness, and Respondent.  Review of draft reports, recommend rebuttals, and responses to support member’s position.  Represent member if discipline/suspension/or termination result based on Final Report.

• Serve as Chair of the Grievance Committee.

• Appoint the Association's Grievance Committee, subject to approval by the Executive Board. 

• Provide a current written grievance report at monthly Executive Board meetings and provide semi-annual written reports to the Association membership.

• Consult and refer appropriate grievance matters to the Association's President and legal counsel. 

• Report to the President and/or Executive Board recommended methods of resolution to any grievance matters that arise. Seek Executive Board approval to pursue arbitration in specific cases. 

• Assist with training the Association's grievance committee, convene meetings of the grievance committee. 

• Perform duties common to all Executive Board members as listed in Section 5.4.

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Name: Aaron Minnis
Department: Residence Education and Housing Services
Position at MSU: Facilities Manager II
Years Employed: 23
Years as an APSA Member: 23

Past involvement/current Interest: I have had the privilege to serve two previous terms as a Vice President for APSA. During that time, I have assisted in the negotiation of two contracts, multiple grievances and special conferences. Serving as a Vice President has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my MSU career. I have connected with so many members of our Association, I value every membership interaction that I get to have. I have focused on being a knowledgeable resource to our members but also have shown understanding and empathy for the situation they may be going through. I have had the opportunity to discuss and work with our members on a variety of issues and treat each situation with my full attention and dedication. It would be an honor to continue to serve our Association in the role of Vice President and to assist members in protecting our employee rights.

Other interest/involvement at MSU: I enjoy spending time on campus with my family, touring the museums, gardens, watching performances and MSU athletics. I have also taken the opportunity to volunteer for serval events through my department that help to serve MSU students. 
 

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Corresponding Secretary

Term of office: Aug. 1, 2025 – July 31, 2028 - 3 years

Remuneration: $500/month 

 

Duties:

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• Conduct all correspondence relating to the affairs of the Association and gather material as needed pertinent to such correspondence as directed by the President, the Executive Board or the Association's counsel.

• Issue all notices of Association meetings and special Executive Board meetings in accord with these Bylaws.

• Prepare and facilitate the publication of the Association news as directed by the Executive Board.

• Responsible for the functioning of the Association's website and domains.

• Responsible for the functioning of electronic voting.

• Perform duties common to all Executive Board members as listed in Section 5.4.

• Perform all other duties which are normal to the Office of Corresponding Secretary.

• Responsible for managing website security, website analytics, and website SEO initiatives.

• Responsible for managing listserv subscriptions and unsubscribe requests of members.

• Responsible for managing Office365 subscription and user accounts of board members.

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Name: Randy Brown
Department: MSU IT Office of the ACIO
Position at MSU: Director of Web Solutions in Advancement Solutions and Innovation
Years Employed: 28
Years as an APSA Member: 16

Past involvement/current Interest: I am seeking your support for my nomination as Corresponding Secretary for the Michigan State University Administrative Professional Supervisors Association (APSA) union. I have served in this position for the past 10 years (2015 to present), following 3 years as Membership Secretary (2012 to 2015) and 2 years as a Director for APSA starting in 2010. I have been a supervisor at Michigan State University since 2009 and an employee since 1997.
 
Over the years, I have consistently provided timely responses to a variety of questions and concerns. Since COVID, there have been significant changes in our union communications, with most of our messaging and meetings transitioning to the digital space. Since my initial nomination for this position, I have made it my goal to ensure our messaging remains consistent, timely, and aligned with our bylaws. Additionally, as the union's IT representative, I strive to help my colleagues effectively use technology to support our union's objectives. I have also been a long-time member of the Membership, Outreach, and Engagement Committee, which has delivered excellent presentations to assist MSU supervisors in navigating the inner workings of the university and in developing leadership skills for fair and informed supervision.
 
A highlight of my union career was participating in the negotiations for the current collective bargaining agreement (November 2, 2023, to September 30, 2027) for APSA -- https://hr.msu.edu/contracts/documents/APSA2023-2027.pdf#page=11. This bargaining session lasted over 7 months and was quite challenging. However, it provided me with the opportunity to compare various collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) and make recommendations from a comprehensive perspective. I am proud that I was able to promote inclusive language throughout the document and negotiate holiday and vacation schedules that align with all members of campus.
 
As I have mentioned to others in the past, I attended my first union meeting for the free sandwich, but I ended up staying to support our important cause. The union has given me a broad perspective on the inner workings of Michigan State University and taught me how to think holistically.  I am confident that I will continue to be a valuable asset to our union in this role, and I urge you to seriously consider my nomination.

Other interest/involvement at MSU: I’m a father of 4, a Michigan State University alum, and I’m involved on other volunteer boards and think tanks in the Greater Lansing Area.  I’m eager to serve the APSA membership with my plethora of IT skills, my years of experience serving on the board, and my undying commitment to making our union and its members the best we can be.


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Name: Brian R. Martinez
Department: IT Services Security
Position at MSU: Information Technologist III/S (Manager of Governance, Risk, and Compliance)
Years Employed: 24.8
Years as an APSA Member: 3.5

Past involvement/current Interest: I have not been actively involved in current union activities other than a conversation or two with those in leadership. I come from a pro-union family and my interest stems from my desire to do something more, something bigger than myself. I currently serve as a secretary for a non-profit I helped start, and as such I am familiar with most of the duties of this role.

Other interest/involvement at MSU: Building commUNITY is very important to me. I enjoy getting out there and meeting new people, getting to know them and hearing their story. I'm a bit of an extroverted introvert. I originally came to school here at MSU back in 1997 with the plan to get a degree in journalism and then law. I wound up graduating in 2003 with a BA in Telecommunications (now Media & Information). I was a student employee here from 1998 - 2000 and then became a fulltime employee in 2000 as well. I enjoy basketball, football, soccer, and baseball, especially watching the Spartans play all of those sports. I love going for walks on campus. Go Green!

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(4) Directors

Term of office: Aug. 1, 2025 – July 31, 2027 - 2 years

Remuneration: $75/month 

 

Duties:

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• Represent the Association as an elected member of the Executive Board.

• Perform duties authorized by the President and/or the Executive Board.

• Attend all monthly Board meetings, retreats, and special meetings, unless excused by the President. Begin attending Board meetings as soon as elected to the position with voting privileges to begin when term of office begins.

• Serve as members of Association committees and/or University committees, as appointed by the Association President or Executive Board.

• If the President is unable to make appointments as set forth in these Bylaws, the majority of the Executive Board present and voting will designate an Acting President until the President is able to resume their duties.

• Act as Recording Secretary, as appointed by the President, if said Secretary is unable to attend a monthly Executive Board meeting.

• Be available to all Association bargaining unit employees for consultation and be knowledgeable to direct said bargaining unit employee to the appropriate Association Officer, if further consultation is needed.

• Vote on issues brought before the Executive Board.

• Approve all appointments of committee members.

• At the expiration of their term shall deliver to their successor all books, monies, and other property of the Association.

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Name: Rob McDonnell
Department: MSU IT
Position at MSU: Manager, MSU IT Service Desk and ContactMSU
Years Employed: 18
Years as an APSA Member: 7

Past involvement/current Interest: I have been actively involved in APSA by regularly attending and participating in meetings and townhalls. I have worked closely with union leadership to advocate for other members, ensuring their voices are heard and their concerns addressed. Late last year, I contributed to the development of a required memorandum for interim appointments. My current interest lies in addressing critical issues such as return-to-office mandates and their impact on staff retention, promoting equity and appropriate compensation, and establishing clear expectations, boundaries, and transparency around interim appointments and merit-based promotions. I am dedicated to leveraging my experience and commitment to further our collective goals.

Other interest/involvement at MSU: I have been at MSU in a full-time capacity since 2007. From desktop support to systems administration to leadership, the most important recurring themes for me have been fairness and equity. I was a successful advocate for fellow APA members earlier in my career and have continued that drive during my time in APSA. A specific interest of mine has been around clarified expectations and fair compensation for standby/on-call staff. I think most people, regardless of what collective bargaining organization (if any) they may belong to, just want to be treated fairly. This is core to all I've done and all I hope to do here, and it will remain the overarching philosophy for my work with APSA.

I have three little Spartans at home (two of whom are old enough to know and love what that means) and take seriously the idea that it's my job to ensure their world is a fairer and more just one than mine. This is a real opportunity to act locally and intentionally toward that end, and I'm excited to explore it.

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Name: Sarah Jackson
Department: College of Arts & Letters
Position at MSU: Unit HR Administrator II/S
Years Employed: 7
Years as an APSA Member: 3.5

Past involvement/current Interest: I am grateful and proud to be a member of a strong union like the APSA. I would like to learn more about the inner workings of the union and the bargaining we do with the university, as well as the work we do to support our fellow supervisors. I want to help everyone feel like they know and can utilize the resources we have available to us.

Other interest/involvement at MSU: I served as the Vice Chair on the College of Arts & Letters inaugural Staff Advisory Council where my aim was to offer opportunities for staff to come together through things such as professional development, social gatherings, Q&As with our Dean's team, and virtual office hours during the pandemic. I enjoy bringing people together in meaningful ways that help build teams and creates psychological safety in the workplace.

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Name: Nick Petoskey
Department: Family Medicine
Position at MSU: Staff Supervisor/Accountant
Years Employed: 1.5
Years as an APSA Member: 1.5

Past involvement/current Interest: Past Board Experience:

Financial Committee @ Peace Lutheran Church in Saginaw, MI - 2 years (still serving in this role as a general member)
Financial Review Committee @ Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bay City, MI - 2 years
Treasurer @ Immanuel Lutheran Church - 1 year
Tau Kappa Epsilon Board of Directors @ Saginaw Valley State University - 1 year as a general member, and 1 year as Secretary
Tau Kappa Epsilon Province Advisor for the Michigan Province - 1 year.

Current Interest:

I'm looking to get involved with some leadership committees at MSU. This seems like the best starting point, and I feel my previous board experiences have provided me with a great amount of experience so far. At some point, I'd like to serve as Treasurer.

Other interest/involvement at MSU: Nothing at this time.

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Name: Cheryl Berry
Department: Culinary Services
Position at MSU: Associate Director of Marketing & Communication
Years Employed: 13
Years as an APSA Member: 12

Past involvement/current Interest: Currently a Director on the Board for APSA

It has been a privilege to serve on the APSA board for the past two years, and I’m incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made together. Serving on the outreach committee and contributing to the monthly S3 presentations has allowed me to engage with members, listen to concerns, and work toward strengthening our union and supporting our members.

Over the past two years, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is for us to stay connected, informed, and united. Through the S3 presentations, we’ve made vital information more accessible, ensuring that every member feels heard and supported.

I’m passionate about the work we do, and I’m committed to making APSA even stronger. I am confident we can continue to create positive change and ensure that the APSA union remains a strong advocate for all members.

Other interest/involvement at MSU: At MSU, I’ve dedicated my career to enhancing the student experience through my work in the culinary department, ensuring that our dining services meet the needs of our diverse campus community. I’ve also been a committed advocate for our staff through APSA, working to provide clear communication, transparency, and engagement opportunities that help our members feel supported and valued.


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Name: Tonya Jamison
Department: Office of Financial Aid
Position at MSU: Assistant Director
Years Employed: 15 years
Years as an APSA Member: 3 years

Past involvement/current Interest: I am interested in joining the APSA Executive Board to foster a positive work environment, enhance collaboration, and drive meaningful change. Through strong leadership and teamwork, I would like to contribute to initiatives that support professional growth, and a thriving workplace culture at MSU.

Other interest/involvement at MSU: I have previously been involved in various committees on campus. I was a past member of the Women's Advisory Committee for Finance and Operations (WACFO)/Women's Advisory Committee for Support Staff (WACSS) from 2012-2016. I served as a member, working on initiatives to enhance workplace culture and work-life balance for MSU employees.

In addition, I was a member of the Administrative Professional Association (APA) Executive Committee from 2018-2022. I served on the Legislative Committee, advocating for policies that support administrative professionals and I served on the Finance Committee, ensuring responsible financial planning and resource allocation.


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Name: Mario Porco
Department: SLE
Position at MSU: Concessions - Operations
Years Employed: 24 years
Years as an APSA Member: over 15 years

Past involvement/current Interest: Hello

My name is Mario Porco, and I am running for re-election to the APSA board. For the past two years, I have served as a board member. I have also been on the By-laws committee. I have helped employees during my time on the board. My aim has been to support both APSA members and all MSU employees. We are all on the same team working for MSU.
I have worked at MSU for almost 25 years. I have developed many relationships here. Employees from all eight unions on campus trust and respect me. I want to help people with work-related questions. We are all on the same team, despite our union. Joe Garza, the APSA union President, has been a great help to me. I have encouraged union members to talk to their stewards and presidents. I want a better work environment. This can attract new talent and make MSU a great place to work.
I ask for your vote to the APSA board for another two years. I want to keep helping our members and MSU as a whole.
Thank you for your time. Go GREEN.
Mario Porco


Other interest/involvement at MSU: Spending time with my family and friends.  Travel to Italy to see family.