Tresa Cavanaugh was born in Portland and has spent most of her life in the area.  She received a BS degree in Psychology and a BS degree in Science (Geology) from Portland State University.  Tresa has been an avid volunteer when not working during the day and attending college at night.  She has volunteered for; IRCO - teaching English as a second language to immigrants, ARC - teaching handicapped adults work skills, and for the Washington State School for the Deaf - tutoring deaf children.

Tresa became actively involved with the Local 4912 AFT-Oregon almost immediately after going to work for Lewis & Clark College at the Legal Clinic, attending meetings and signing up for various committees and training events with her union.  Shortly into her union career, Tresa was asked to serve on her first contract negotiation committee as a spokesperson for the union and subsequently nominated and voted in as President that same year.  During this time Tresa took on a number of issues with College officials, on behalf of the members, and directly handled several grievances.  After admission to the evening law program at Lewis & Clark Law School (focus in Labor Law,) Tresa elected not to seek re-election as President.  Tresa did stay on as Contract Enforcement Officer, continuing to advocate for union members.  Tresa was also nominated and voted in as a Vice President at Large on AFT-Oregon’s Executive Council. In late 2007, Tresa was offered a position with UFCW Local 555 and she is excited to be a part of the 555 team.  As Grievance Director she will continue her dedication and zealous advocacy on the behalf of union workers.

Tresa has been happily married to her husband John for over 10 years, has no children, and has 3 wonderful dogs, Sugar, Jesse and Lucy (rescued from New Orleans.)  She enjoys action movies, making new friends, listening to music, torturing her husband by singing in the car, and taking day trips to the coast.

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