Richard Cowan - Chief of Staff

Richard Cowan lives in Redwood Heights with his wife Kathy and daughter Maegan and was the Past President of the Redwood Heights Improvement Association.  Prior to joining Jean's staff, he was the Executive Director of Legal Assistance for Seniors and former director of Conciliation Forums of Oakland.  Richard is the President of the Ronn Guidi Foundation for the Performing Arts, and is on the Board of Directors of Conciliation Forums of Oakland, Friends of the Oakland Ballet Academy, and Grandparents and Relatives as Second Parents (GRP). He is also a founding member of Save Oakland Seniors.  

Richard coordinates staff and oversees our day-to-day operations. He also staffs the Budget, Economic Development and Rules Committee for Council Member Quan. His responsibilities also include district wide Neighborhood Commercial and Economic Development, Redwood Heights and Lincoln Heights neighborhood issues. 238-7041
rcowan@oaklandnet.com

Terrie Gillen - Policy Analyst
 

An Oakland native and graduate of California State University East Bay with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a focus on Public Affairs and Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in History with a focus on American History.

Prior to working for us, Terrie has worked for Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher, Assemblymember Mary Hayashi, and State Senator Ellen Corbett when Ellen was in the Assembly.  In her roles, she really enjoys serving the public on many social and political issues.  She has also worked in the non-profit sector concerning health and developmental disabilities in the states of Nevada and Georgia.  Aside from her work, Terrie is also a very proud mother of a young son and a happy wife to her loyal husband.

She has taken over the role as Policy Analyst with a focus on Public Safety and other issues of concern in the districts of Allendale, Laurel, Lower Dimond, Maxwell Park, and a part of Melrose.  238-4742

Sue Piper - Community Liaison
 

Sue Piper comes to District 4 with a wealth of experience in education, emergency preparedness and community organizing.  A two-time PTA president (Kaiser Elementary and Oakland Tech High School) and former co-chair of the Friends of Oakland Public Schools, she has partnered with Jean as a leader of every school parcel tax and bond measure since 1993. A 1991 Oakland Firestorm survivor, she and her husband, Gordon, led the effort to create the Gateway Emergency Preparedness Exhibit Center overlooking Highway 24. She has chaired her neighborhood C.O.R.E. group since 1993. Most recently, Sue coordinated the successful Measure Q & E campaign, raising funds for the Oakland the libraries and schools.  A graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and the UCLA School of Public Health, Sue brings more than 35 years of professional experience in public relations and marketing communications. In addition to working part-time for the office, Sue continues to provide PR consulting to education, health and nonprofit organizations.

She will serve as the office liaison to Montclair, Crestmont, Oakmore neighborhoods and the Oakland Public Schools. Sue will staff the Life Enrichment Committees. 238-7042

spiper@oaklandnet.com

Ellen Dillard - Administrative Assistant
 

Ellen is a graduate of California State University Hayward.