Listed below are the candidates for this years APA elections for Executive Board seats and MEA/NEA Delegate seats.
The election will begin on Monday March 9 and will close at 4pm on Friday March 19th.
Candidate Name: Gerlind Kiupel (incumbent for Board Seat)
On the ballot for: APA Executive Board, Full Term
MEA and NEA Representative Assembly Delegate/Region Council Delegate, Full Term
Job Title: Project Controls Engineer
Employing Unit: FRIB
Number of Years Employed as a Regular Employee at Michigan State University: 17
Number of Years in the APA Union: 17
Email Address: gkiupel@msu.edu
Resume: I have been serving as an Area Representative for 9 years, as a Board member for 4 years and as the Treasurer since last September. I accepted the (very labor-intensive without any release time) role of treasurer because it is my strong belief that every dime of every member dues dollar should be used to the maximum benefit for our members.
I grew up in East Germany and while studying to become an electrical engineer, I experienced how month-long protests by the people brought down the wall that divided East and West Germany. As an engineer I worked for different companies in the unified Germany and later in the United States before taking a position at MSU. Through my career I gained firsthand knowledge of relations between employees and employers and the role that unions play in this relationship in both the private and public sector and in different countries. My experiences taught me that people, regardless of their background and differences, when unified by a common goal can achieve great change. This has strengthened my belief that only a strong APA can ensure that we keep and expand our benefits. I want to serve our members by listening to their voice and help the APA to become even stronger by growing our membership.
Candidate Name: Jamin Villarrael (incumbent for Board Seat)
On the ballot for: APA Executive Board, Full Term
MEA and NEA Representative Assembly Delegate/Region Council Delegate, Full Term
Job Title: Administrative Business Analyst
Employing Unit: Center for Statistical Training & Consulting
Number of Years Employed as a Regular Employee at Michigan State University: 23
Number of Years in the APA Union: 16
Email Address: villar17@msu.edu
Resume: I am a current Executive Board Member, I am on the Communications committee, I have been a Team Captain for the ESP Michigan Bill of Rights campaign, and am becoming more and more interested in becoming more active in change making. I was always raised with the notion of not waiting for change, but instead being the change. Previously that was always accomplished on a personal level, impacting people within my direct sphere of influence, but I would like to continue to expand that sphere to make change to a greater degree. I have loved ones that need someone to represent them as well, someone to represent their needs, their wants, and to express their concerns. Not everyone has that opportunity, and I want to make the best of the opportunity currently provided to me in this role, and I would like to continue in that role as I’m only just getting started.
Candidate Name: Patricia Hampton (incumbent)
On the ballot for: APA Executive Board, Full Term
MEA and NEA Representative Assembly Delegate/Region Council Delegate, Full Term
Job Title: Research Administrator II
Employing Unit: Human Resources
Number of Years Employed as a Regular Employee at Michigan State University: 42
Number of Years in the APA Union: 17
Email Address: phampton@msu.edu
Resume: I have proudly been a member of APA since December 2009. Serving the APA as an Area Rep for five years, Board member for six years, Vice President for five years, and now as President has strengthened my passion for advocacy, accountability, and leadership. This work requires consistency, sound judgment, and the courage to speak up when it matters most. I have never been afraid to ask difficult questions, stand firm during negotiations, or ensure that our members’ voices are heard at every level.
At the same time, I believe leadership must be compassionate and accessible. I am someone you can talk to. I listen. I respond. I work tirelessly to resolve concerns and support our members through challenges, whether they involve workplace issues, policy questions, or professional growth.
APA deserves steady, experienced leadership to navigate challenges and protect our collective voice, especially during times that require thoughtful decision-making and strong representation. My commitment remains clear: to advocate with integrity, lead with fairness, and serve with dedication.
I respectfully ask for your vote so that I may continue the work we have started together and remain your voice at the table.
Thank you for your trust and continued support.
Candidate Name: Nicole Proctor-Kanyama (incumbent)
On the ballot for: APA Executive Board, Full Term
MEA and NEA Representative Assembly Delegate/Region Council Delegate, Full Term
Job Title: Sr. Associate Director of Development
Employing Unit: University Advancement – College of Engineering
Number of Years Employed as a Regular Employee at Michigan State University: 20
Number of Years in the APA Union: 18
Email Address: proctorn@msu.edu
Resume: Nicole Proctor-Kanyama is a single mom of two young men, fundraiser, yoga teacher. She comes from a union family background and is dedicated to fighting for member’s rights! Grateful for the many years of serving on the APA Executive Board and hopeful to continue serving! Si se puede- yes we can!!!
Candidate Name: Lisa Pasbjerg
On the ballot for: MEA and NEA Representative Assembly Delegate/Region Council Delegate, Full Term
Job Title: Outreach & Event Coordinator
Employing Unit: College of Human Medicine, Pediatric Public Health Initiative
Number of Years Employed as a Regular Employee at Michigan State University: 6.5
Number of Years in the APA Union: 4.5
Email Address: pasbjer4@msu.edu
Resume: I grew up in a Union family (my father was a union Michigan teacher for 45 years)and I am passionate about advocating for better wages, benefits and working conditions for everyone.
Candidate Name: Jamie Lynn Marks (incumbent for MEA Delegate seat)
On the ballot for: MEA and NEA Representative Assembly Delegate/Region Council Delegate, Full Term
Job Title: Administrative Business Professional
Employing Unit: Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering
Number of Years Employed as a Regular Employee at Michigan State University: 18
Number of Years in the APA Union: 13
Email Address: marksjam@msu.edu
Resume: My name is Jamie Lynn Marks, and I have been a member of the APA Union since 2013. I have served on the APA Executive Board since 2019 and as an MEA Delegate since 2020. During my time as a board member, I have served on the following committees: finance, membership, community-based events, negotiations, elections, constitution and by-laws. I was a bargaining team member in 2019 and an alternate in 2023. I am involved and will continue to be involved because I believe I need to represent all members, whether at the negotiations table, board meetings, or the MEA Representative Assembly. I am here to serve you, the member.
Candidate Name: Jeff Wilson
On the ballot for: MEA and NEA Representative Assembly Delegate/Region Council Delegate, Full Term
Job Title: Human Resource Generalist
Employing Unit: Academic Operations
Number of Years Employed as a Regular Employee at Michigan State University: 3.5
Number of Years in the APA Union: 3.5
Email Address: wils1272@msu.edu
Resume: Hi, my name is Jeff Wilson. I’m originally from Flint and grew up in a UAW family. I have been a member of the MEA since my first day at Lansing Community College and I signed my new card my first day at MSU in July of 2022. I started my MSU career in IPF but have since moved to Central HR working in Academic Operations since June of 2024.
I’m on the MEA Board of Directors, APA Board, MEA ESP Caucus Board (state level board that advocates for ESP issues within MEA), and MEA Region 8 Vice President (one of 16 statewide MEA regions focused on regional issues). In my years of service as an elected leader, I have only missed one NEA RA since 2016 and have not missed an MEA RA since becoming a leader in 2014. I have been on the NEA RA Strategy committee for the last 4 years. At the state level I have come to be known as a respected voice when advocating for our members at all levels of our organization. My goal is to find as many ways as we can to put members first. Please vote for me. Thank you.