Staff Roster

Derrick’s journey in the labor movement began with his early involvement in grassroots campaigns and fervent efforts to empower workers within CWA District 6. With a keen understanding of the challenges faced by workers in an ever-evolving job landscape, he championed the need for dynamic strategies that address the aspirations and concerns of CWA members.

With an extensive background in labor relations and advocacy, Derrick has consistently demonstrated his ability to navigate complex negotiations, forge meaningful partnerships, and amplify the voices of workers.  His visionary leadership has ushered in a new era of innovation, embracing technology and social media to connect with a diverse membership and engage them in vital discussions.

Derrick’s commitment to building an inclusive and united workforce is evident in his relentless efforts to bridge gaps and promote diversity within CWA District 6. He recognizes that unity is the cornerstone of the labor movement’s strength, and he tirelessly works to ensure that every worker’s voice is heard and respected.

Under his guidance, CWA District 6 has witnessed remarkable growth in membership, influence, and impact. His strategic initiatives have fortified the District’s presence both within the labor community and on the national stage, solidifying its reputation as a force to be reckoned with in advocating for workers’ rights, fair wages, and equitable treatment.

Derrick’s approachable demeanor, exceptional communication skills, and ability to foster collaboration have earned him the respect and admiration of his peers, fellow leaders, and members alike. His leadership philosophy revolves around the belief that the power of collective action is the driving force behind positive change, and he tirelessly works to empower each member to realize their potential within the union.

Recently, on July 11, 2023, he was elected as Vice President of CWA District 6, and he continues to steer the organization toward a future that is marked by progress, unity, and a tireless commitment to the well-being of workers. His legacy is one of passion, dedication, and a deep belief in the transformative potential of organized labor.

He has served in many capacities from Legislative, Organizing, and Political Director throughout his 17 years, leading the union’s political program in Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas. CWA is one of America's largest and most diverse unions, representing workers in the communications and information industries, news media, airlines, broadcast, cable television, public service, higher education, healthcare, manufacturing, and tech industries.

Derrick is a union organizer at heart and believes that our workplaces are one of the only places left in America where people from different backgrounds, gender, and orientation have an opportunity to build relationships and trust with each other.  He believes that the strength of the labor movement comes from investing in member education that helps build their working class analysis, strengthen their organizing and leadership skills, and empowers them to take collective action at work and within their communities. In the last 10 years, Derrick has worked to build long term political capacity in the state by aligning labor unions and community organizations in Texas, running some of the largest Independent Expenditures that focus on infrequent voters of color.  

Born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, Derrick holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He now lives in Austin, Texas.

Billy began his career with AT&T in Lee's Summit, MO in 1994. After more than a decade of the Company insisting Billy towards a management position, have been a fourth generation Union worker, he knew that wasn't the path meant for him at that time. He got involved with Local 6450 as a Steward, Chief Steward, Secretary/Treasurer (elected), and President (elected twice). In 2015, Billy left his Presidency to become a Campaign Lead for CWA and helped fight back and defeat right to work in Missouri. In 2018, he moved to Austin, TX and became a Staff Representative, as he was very familiar with all sides of the triangle. His career experience made Billy the most crucial fit, allowing him continue to fight for members rights. 

In July, 2023 newly elected Vice-President Osobase requested Billy to become his Assistant, in which he accepted. He currently resides in Kyle, TX with his wife Patricia and youngest Daughter. They have three additional children and two grandchildren who all reside in Missouri and Kansas. 

Jason Vellmer started his career with SBC in 2000 as a Network Center Technician in St. Louis, MO.  He served as Vice President-ASI in Local 6310 and later in Local 6300, until his appointment to the position of Staff Representative.  He also served as a Steward, Mobilization Chair, Legislative Chair, Community Services Chair, MPLC Executive Vice President, CWA St. Louis City Council Legislative Coordinator, United Way Campaign Organizer, Jobs with Justice Sustaining Member, and North County Labor Club Board Member.  Jason comes from a union background.  His grandfather, James Luetkemeyer, served as a Steward for CWA Local 6310.  Jason attended college at ITT Technical Institute where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering and, upon graduation, was awarded Salutatorian.  Jason gives a special thanks to everyone he served with on the 6310, 6320, and 6300 Executive Boards, and for the support he received in achieving his goals.  He is strongly committed to the members of CWA and rebuilding the Labor Movement.  Jason lives in the Kansas City area with his wife, Danielle, and kids; Caleb, Jacob, and Isabella.  Jason was promoted to Administrative Director effective June 2022.

Yolanda Anderson began her journey with AT&T/CWA in 1999 as a CSR, CST, Splicer, and Prem. Tech. Yolanda became a Campaign lead in 2011, and later, was promoted to Senior Campaign Lead in March 2021. In June of 2022 Yolanda was promoted to District Organizing Coordinator in D6. Yolanda has extensive knowledge, experience and training in the organizing arena.  She is very committed to the importance of organizing initiatives and growing the labor movement.  In 2014, Yolanda was assigned to assist with the American Airlines campaign in Dallas, TX which led to a win. She also led and won the DIRECTV and Cricket campaign in Houston, TX.  

Based on her excellent organizing ability, she assisted with numerous organizing campaigns throughout the country such as West Virginia, Iowa, Colorado and Texas. Yolanda assisted and led some of the following campaigns for IHX, APPLE, T-Mobile, Lumen, Maximus, Verizon Wireless and Windstream. Yolanda’s most exciting and historical win was when she led and won the 1st Apple retail store in Oklahoma City, OK on October 14, 2022. She is very dedicated to building lasting relationships with workers. Yolanda also loves spending time with her two young adult sons and currently resides in Houston, Texas.

Born and raised in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Seth Hutchinson got his start in CWA in 2006 as an Apprentice Organizer with the Texas State Employees Union-CWA 6186. Over a 13 year span at TSEU, Seth organized state workers in every region of Texas. He eventually rose to the position of Organizing Coordinator for the local and won election to Vice President, a position he served in for 6 years. In 2019 Seth was brought onto District 6 staff as a Campaign Lead and has since been promoted to Senior Campaign Lead. 

Seth holds a BA in Spanish from the University of Central Arkansas and resides in Austin, Texas with his wife, Julia, and daughter, Mori. 

Sara Walling
Senior Campaign Lead
swalling@cwa-union.org 

Sara's over decade long career in the labor movement began in California. She spent time in the state capitol working at the Sacramento Central Labor Council. Across the 6 county region, she led political and issue campaigns, legislative actions, and union solidarity events. She then accepted a position with the national AFL-CIO in Washington, DC. She spent the next several years there continuing to develop her campaign abilities and focusing on developing leadership skills amongst fellow union members. Her work prioritized the development of women, people of color, LGBTQ+, and young people through engaging in campaigns, training, and mentoring. She transitioned to CWA National and worked in the Research Department for 2 years before coming to CWA District 6 in 2019. 

As a Senior Campaign Lead, she primarily works in the Legislative-Political Department leading electoral and legislative campaigns, growing PAF, and developing political activists. In addition to this, her work includes organizing new union members, leading trainings, increasing internal communications with members, and more.

Sherry started her career with CWA in September 2015 as a Secretary II in the District 6 Headquarters in Austin, TX.  She learned the instrumental value of a Union fighting tirelessly for its members while she provided clerical support for several Staff Representatives over the years. In August 2023, Sherry was promoted to Secretary III reporting to the Assistant to the Vice President in District 6. 

Sherry and her partner, Donnie, love spending time with their grandson, Garrett.  They also enjoy going fishing as often as possible; especially at the TX coast.  Combined they have 3 adult children, Erica, Alex and Dustin.

Mike LoVuolo
CWA Representative
mlovuolo@cwa-union.org

Mike came to the CWA, in 1997 after being fired for union organizing at American Airlines. He brought with him a team of 200 committee members from American Airlines passenger services that had been traying to organize for four years. They were working on organizing their group of 17,000 fellow employees nationwide.  They lost their first election in 1998 and as they were getting ready to file for another election with the TWA merger for 21,000 September 11th hit. Instead of shutting the group down, he built a minority membership local in the Dallas/Ft. Worth areas that grew to over 400 members across the country. 

At Local 6001 he trained an army of stewards, without a contract, who continued to organize their locations and represented employees under the company’s grievance procedure. He was an organizer and served as Secretary/Treasurer and Vice President.  After two failed national elections and two mergers, the group won representation along with US Airways members of the CWA, in 2015.

After starting up two airline locals and training new officers and stewards for over 5000 members in 31 locations within District 6 he became a staff rep in 2016.  He is now working with locals across the state and is responsible for grievance processing, arbitrations, and bargaining for locals that represent employees from AT&T, Verizon, Windstream, and Dish to name a few.

Having moved to Dallas/Ft. Worth in 1983 from Boston, he plans on returning after 19 years in the airline industry and 28 with the CWA once he retires within the next two years.

Cindy Thorn is a Secretary II with successful telecommunications experience. Cindy joined CWA in 2017 and specializes in administrative assistant responsibilities for CWA. She is a strong believer in positive thinking in the CWA workplace, Cindy is proud to contribute to improved efficiency and satisfaction for CWA staff and members.

Cindy worked for Verizon (fGTE) at the Telephone Operations HQ (Las Colinas) location and DexMedia (fVerizon) at the Coppell and DFW Airport locations from 1992 to 2016, assisting C Level Officers and Executive Directors.

Born in Oklahoma and raised in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. Cindy is registered on the Dawes Rolls as a Native American Cherokee Indian in Tahlequah, OK and is proud of her family heritage. Cindy has participated in organized charity bicycle rides such as Hotter ‘n Hell and MS-150 withhusband, Rick. She has two amazing grown children, Amy and Wes. She loves to boat, fish and spend time with her grandchildren (Alexa, Andrew, Aiden, Ava and Henry).

Kara Hutchason
CWA Representative
khutchason@cwa-union.org

Gerald began his career with SBC in 1994 as an operator, continued for 20 plus years as a Service Representative and retired as a CAD technician after 28 years. He served as a Chief Steward, member of the Executive Boad, and 4 consecutive terms as President of Local 6507. Gerald was part of the MLI (Minority Leadership Institute) class of 2012. He served three years on the National Civil Rights & Equity Committee, elected to the Southwest Bargaining Committee for 3 terms and served as President of the Arkansas State Council. He is strongly committed to Workers’ rights and ensuring that working people’s voices are heard. 

Gerald is an Army Veteran, having served his country for 10years. He is part of the Veterans Organizing Institute. He currently resides in Little Rock, AR, with his wife Andrette. They have two children Jasmine and Cameron.  

Tammy began her career with Southwestern Bell in July of 2000 as a Customer Service Representative in the repair department at the Wichita, KS call center, and immediately joined CWA Local 6402. During the fall of 2004, Tammy transferred to the sales office where she saw a growing need for representation. It was at this point that she became a steward. She quickly found her niche and was elected to the position of chief steward by her peers.  She ran for, and was elected to the position of Secretary/Treasurer in the spring of 2010. While holding the role of Customer Service Representative at AT&T and Secretary/Treasurer at CWA Local 6402, Tammy still found time to dedicate herself to internal organizing. She also educated her co-workers of the importance of organizing, both internal and external.  

Also, Tammy began efforts to really dig into the national T-Mobile campaign by successfully establishing a committee of T-Mobile employees, first while she was a chief steward and throughout her role as an officer of the local. She determined the need for developing and educating a small group of local organizers to assist in the campaign. Tammy’s efforts were noticed and in October 2012 she was offered and accepted a Special Assignment Organizer position with CWA. 

Tammy and local organizers have hosted several joint organizing visits from German ver.di members as well as Local 6016 AT&T Mobility members. In August 2014, Tammy was offered and accepted her current position as District Organizing Coordinator for CWA.

Tammy has also been involved in the American Airlines campaign, Envoy (formerly known as American Eagle), and the TSEU Local 6186 organizing blitz at the University of Texas. She developed strong relationships between CWA and other like minded organizations in Wichita to support each others' struggles, and to move Kansas towards becoming a purple state; she currently sits on the board of KPA (Kansas People’s Action), the political arm of Sunflower Community Action.

Christina has been committed to the CWA D6 since the beginning of 2019, supporting the membership and district staff. Christina holds a degree in Applied Science, with an emphasis in Social Psychology.

Her husband Scott has been an IAFF Union Firefighter/Paramedic for over the past 17 years. They have two sons, two Boxer dogs and are currently growing their family. 

Christina has volunteered and led many initiatives such as Cardinal Glennon-Light the Night, Hearts for our Homes Campaign and Children's Miracle Network. She continues to support critical outreach programs at her Church (The Crossing) such as, "Living Water". You can read more about this cause through the following link. https://water.cc/takeaction/.