Doug hails from Albuquerque, New Mexico where he attended Albuquerque Public Schools. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he served for five years as an aircrew member on helicopters. He deployed twice, including once for Operation Enduring Freedom.
After his honorable discharge from the Marines, Doug worked as a contractor and was represented by the Communications Workers of America, Local 7011. His leadership and communication skills got him elected as a shift steward, chief steward for his bargaining unit, then vice president of the local, then executive vice president of the local and their first full-time officer. As the political director of CWA’s state council, Doug collaborated with the other politically active unions and was eventually offered a position as a field representative at the American Federation of Teachers-New Mexico.
At AFT-NM, Doug oversaw seven local unions throughout the state, assisting their elected officers in managing and growing their unions and representing their members.
Doug’s union expertise and passion for equity, education, and the labor movement led him to join E4E, where he enjoys helping teachers understand how to engage in their unions and make them more diverse, student-focused, and democratic.