YEO Policy Academies Clean Energy & Environmental Justice Pol. Academy | Page 34

YEO Bios Marita Garrett Councilmember Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania As a newly elected councilmember, Garrett implemented Ward One Community Conversations, an initiative to connect and empower residents in working together to improve neighborhoods. Garrett’s target is to increase civic engagement and encourage constituents to get involved in the legislative process, to ensure that their voices are being heard. Garrett is the CEO and managing partner of Admintrinsic, which provides administrative and community support consulting. She received her bachelor’s in psychology and graduate certificate in gerontology from University of Pittsburgh, and master’s in counseling psychology from Chatham University. Garrett was selected as a Jonas Salk Fellow, named to the New Pittsburgh’s Courier Fab 40 Under 40 list, and presented with the Rising African American Leader award. She serves on University of Pittsburgh, Center for Health Equity’s Community Research Advisory Board, and was appointed to serve as second vice chair of the executive committee for the Congress of Neighboring Communities. @MaritaGarrett Alex Garza City Councilmember Taylor, Michigan Clean Energy & Environmental Justice Policy Academy | 2016 32 Councilman Alex Garza started his work in public service when he started interning for state Rep. Rashida Tlaib in 2009. This is where he found his passion for working with and for the community. He went on to serve as a legislative aide for Detroit City Council. In 2012, Garza returned to work for state Rep. Tlaib as an aide. There he helped in the everyday operations of her Detroit Service Center. In 2013, he became the youngest and first minority elected official in Taylor. In addition to serving on City Council, Garza currently works as the director of constituent relations for state Rep. Stephanie Chang. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He also holds an associate’s degree in business. Robert Gignac School Committeeman Lowell, Massachusetts Robert Gignac was initially elected to the at-large position as a Lowell school committee member in 2011. He was the youngest elected official in the history of the city of Lowell. Gignac is a graduate of Lowell High School and studied political science at the University of MassachusettsLowell. Gignac is a school business manager in addition to his elected position. Some of his key accomplishments during his services include establishing district-wide opiate abuse prevention and awareness programs, investing millions of dollars in technology upgrades, and supporting district-wide facility improvements. Gignac also respectfully and responsibly negotiated with all bargaining units, and provided strong fiscal oversight—allowing responsible budgets with no major cuts.