When it comes to interesting jobs, Joe’s had them! News photographer, food packer in a vegetable cannery, farm worker picking strawberries, door-to-door book seller, and managing editor for a monthly news magazine. But he traded that all in for attorney life in 1992.
In his legal career he's served as a Military Prosecutor, Special Assistant United States Attorney, Military Defense Counsel, Tribal Attorney, and currently an Attorney-Adviser for the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
His diverse practice areas included environmental, criminal, administrative, technology, government ethics, environmental enforcement, and Indian law. He's also served as a Brookings Legis Fellowin the U.S. Congress handling myriad issues including environment, natural resources, space, and military issues. Joe is currently the NTEU Chapter 280 Senior Vice-President, responsible for chapter communications.
Hailing originally from what can only be described as paradise-on-earth, the beautiful Pacific Northwest, he currently lives in the state of “Manly deeds, Womanly words” (otherwise known as Maryland) and practices in Washington, DC, where you'll find him outdoors on his bike or local trails with his dog.
Joe can be contacted at joe@nteu280.org or 202-564-5514.
Amer is a Chemist in the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP), Office of Pesticides Programs (OPP), Registration Division (RD). He's been with EPA since 1997. Prior to serving in the Executive Vice-President role, Amer was president of the chapter from 2012-2015. He was the Co-Chair for the National Partnership Council (NPC) from 2014-2016. The NPC includes EPA’s five unions; NTEU, AFGE, NAIG, NAIL, and ESC.
Amer is a tireless advocate for employee rights, ensuring that all employees are treated with dignity and respect. He's currently NTEU Chapter 280's Executive Vice-President, responsible for coordinating chapter membership and operational activities.
Amer can be contacted at amer@nteu280.org or 202.566.2789.
Derek is currently serving as the Senior Vice President and started as an attorney in EPA’ Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance in 2009, where he worked on various Superfund issues. At EPA, he also spent more than a year on detail serving as a Special Assistant to two Acting Deputy Administrators and six months on detail to Region 10’s the Aquatic Resources Unit. Prior to EPA, he worked in the financial services industry and spent several years working in Kumamoto, Japan through the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program.
In his free time, Derek chases around his two-year-old boy. He also enjoys cooking, hiking and travelling.
Derek can be contacted at derek@nteu280.org or 202-566-2784.
Diane is currently serving as Chief Steward, having just completed her second term as NTEU Chapter 280's President. Prior to this she served as chapter Executive Vice President and Senior Vice President.
As an attorney in EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA), she's negotiated compliance agreements with many federal agencies. She's served as a Fellow on a detail at the Department of State for two years developing model energy efficiency programs for Southeast Europe.
Diane can be contacted at diane@nteu280.org or 202-566-2786.
Toby Jeong is serving his first term as our Secretary. He has worked as an Accountant in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) since 2014. He received his BBA in Accounting from The College of William & Mary. In his free time, Toby enjoys hiking, family activities, and serving at his church.
Toby can be contacted at toby@nteu280.org or 202-564-2799.
Bernie has served as Treasurer for three separate EPA Employee Unions (National Federation Federal Employees, Environmental Employees Collectively Organized, and NTEU Chapter 280). For NTEU Chapter 280, he has served as treasurer for over 20 years and before that a Vice President for three years.
He is an Environmental Scientist in the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP), Office of Pesticides Programs (OPP), Health Effects Division (HED), located in Potomac Yard South. Bernie has also had positions in EPA as an Agronomist and Plant Physiologist as well as teaching classes in Agronomy and World Agriculture, and is a co-author of several books. He enjoys duckpin bowling, gardening and playing with grandkids.
Bernie can be reached at bernard@nteu280.org or 703-305-5555
Besides being an enforcer of environmental laws in EPA’s Office of Enforcement since joining EPA during the Carter administration(!), David has been, and continues to be an effective advocate for tenants, cancer patients, consumers, bicyclists and EPA employees. Those employees he has not had the pleasure of meeting during the last 37 years he hopes to meet during the next.
David can be contacted at davida@nteu280.org or 202-564-2109.
Allison is an attorney-advisor for the Cross-Cutting Issues Law Office (CCILO) in the Office of General Counsel (OGC) at EPA. She counsels on the National Environmental Policy Act and on issues of federal Indian law. She has been with EPA since 2016. Allison was born and raised in upstate New York and attended SUNY Geneseo and Cornell Law School before moving down to DC. She is a proud environmentalist, social justice advocate, and member of the LGBTQ+ community, and is thrilled to be serving in her first union position this year.
In her free time, Allison enjoys playing/napping with her cats, listening to far too many podcasts, and spending time outside.
Allison can be contacted at allison@nteu280.org or 202.564-1912.
Maria is a Chemist in the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP), Office of Pesticides Programs (OPP), Registration Division (RD). She has had the opportunity to do both science and policy work, giving her a good understanding of many of the day-to-day activities we perform at EPA. She is currently located in Potomac Yard (PY) South.
Currently serving as a Vice-President at Large, Maria has been a supportive member of our Union since joining EPA in 1989. Throughout the years she has served as Steward and has participated in different committees. She has represented employees in investigatory interviews and advocated for employees during reorganizations. More recently, Maria has been an active participant in a workgroup addressing employee morale issues at OPP. She has played an active role in voicing employee concerns and protecting their rights during the Potomac Yard consolidation.
Maria can be contacted at maria@nteu280.org or 703-305-6710.
David joined the Safety, Health and Environmental Management Division in 2010. He is best known for his efforts in several emergency response activities, and as the national medical surveillance program manager and headquarters ergonomics program manager. He has a passion for fair treatment of employees, dealing with root causes when there are difficulties between management and employees, and promoting union involvement in supporting safe and healthy workplaces. He enjoys running, rock climbing, and a variety of family activities.
David can be contacted at wynn.david@epa.gov or 202.564.1441.
Bill is a chemist in the Health Effects Division of the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention’s Office of Pesticide Programs (OCSPP/OPP/HED). He has been with EPA since 1991. Bill performs the roles of residue chemist and risk assessor in his division. Prior to EPA, he worked in a laboratory performing the types of studies he now reviews at EPA. He enjoys listening to music, hiking, running, and family activities.
Bill can be contacted at wassell.william@epa.gov or 703-305-6135.