Officer Candidates 2022

Ballots will be emailed to all members on Monday, March 28, 2022. Voting will close at 5:00 p.m. Monday, April 4, 2022.

Candidates for President

Brian Westlake

Greetings union brothers and sisters! I have served as your president for much of the past year and a half. With humility and renewed commitment to service, I am again asking for your vote as president. I look forward to strengthening our union by building on the work of the past year and growing our membership. During my entire 21 years in the classroom, I have been an active union member—serving on the board of both GCAE and GAE, and as a delegate to nine NEA Representative Assemblies. I continue to believe in the power of unions to lift the voices of those rarely heard in policy making…the classroom teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, custodians, paraprofessionals, media specialists, counselors, and other support staff who impact the lives of students everyday. When we support those who serve students, OUR CHILDREN benefit! Let’s continue this work together. In solidarity always and forever!

Candidates for Vice President

Juliet Cassidy-Floyd

I am running to be your Vice President at GCAE! A 20 year educator in grades 6-12, and Higher Education, I have been a steward of NEA, FEA, and two locals in Florida. I have been a building rep, a local delegate, a FEA delegate, and on two bargaining committees.

During my two years with GCAE I have been an acting VP, a delegate to GAE and NEA, and the chair of the organizing committee where we have increased membership by 25%. We hosted our first ever member appreciation picnic in May of 2021! Our outreach has increased by 178%, earning us recognition within the county and the community. I would be honored to be a voice for every Educational Professional where all policies are made.

I look forward to working with each of you as we rebuild this union into the largest professional organization within the state of GA!

Candidates for Treasurer

Alison Cundiff

When you elected me as Director for District 2 in GAE, I was (and continue to be) honored and humbled by your readiness to step forward with me on behalf of our schools and students. To ensure that GCAE's affairs are safely seen to at home, I again ask for your vote as treasurer for the Gwinnett County Association of Educators.

As early as my 4th year in education, I responded to abuses and inefficiencies from top-down bureaucrats with open records requests to get HVAC data on every single school in Gwinnett County to make available for the public. In order to raise funds for this project, I worked with parent and community organizers -- and we delivered! Coming to the end of this fifth and most challenging year to date, I have only grown more determined. In order to grow our chapter into a robust union, I am ready to serve as faithful steward of GCAE's treasury.

Candidates for Secretary

Dana Poole

As a former GCPS Substitute Teacher for Benefield ES and Lawrenceville ES, I developed a love for, and belief in, the GCPS system. I am also a mother of two children who were molded in GCPS. Currently, I serve as a Bus Manager where I leverage my experience and skills to mentor fellow co-workers with efficiency. I am also a DAC member that advocates for Drivers and Monitors.

I volunteered and contributed in the Entrepreneurship programs at both Shiloh and South Gwinnett H.S. I relished the opportunity to share my jewelry business knowledge with youth.

Moving forward, I’m excited to be a part of the progressive changes unfolding in the community that I’ve been engaged in for 29 years.

I look forward to using my leadership skills with fellow GCPS employees in order to collectively reach our highest potential.