Introducing SLOCEA’s New President

It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that SLOCEA announces that Nate Larsen has been appointed the new President of the Board of Directors. I have no doubt that Nate will do a remarkable job filling the position, as he has already demonstrated his commitment and leadership during his time as a Director on the Board.

Nate is a local to the Central Coast, having been born in Denver and then re-locating to the area as a young child. Nate began his employment with the County in 2016, when he was hired as an Employment Resource Specialist (ERS) at the Department of Social Services (DSS.) In 2020, he was promoted to an ERS IV, in a specialized role as a Social Security Benefits Advocate, assisting community members through the difficult Social Security application process.  

Nate’s motivation for becoming a County employee was his wife, Tina, who has worked at DSS for eleven years. Seeing the important work she was doing for our community inspired Nate to also join the County team. Between them, they have nearly twenty years of service at DSS. Outside of work, Nate and Tina can often be found enjoying a pint at a local brewery and listening to live music, or caring for the clutter of cats they share their home with.

Nate’s service with SLOCEA began in 2020 when he became a Steward. After the previous Steward for his work site transferred, Nate and I met to discuss what being a Steward entailed and I was impressed by his thoughtful questions and insight into the importance of the role. He then joined the Board as a Director 10 months later in 2021 and was appointed as the Vice President in October 2023. Nate has also served on a variety of important committees, including Academic Scholarship, Member Benefits, Communications, Finance, Executive and the recently established Strike Fund Committee. 

During his time on the Board, Nate has shown himself to be well-spoken, fair-minded and emotionally intelligent. He takes the initiative and is well respected by both his fellow Directors and by SLOCEA staff. While my resignation from the Board was bittersweet, it has been made infinitely easier in the knowledge that I leave the position of President in Nate’s capable and competent hands. Please join me in welcoming Nate Larsen to the position of President of SLOCEA’s Board of Directors.

By Emily Landis, Executive Director