From time to time, CAPT members ask who the "CAPT consultants" are often mentioned in various CAPT communications. The consultants are with Lyles, Wiesmann, Pizzotti & Associates, Inc. (LWP). LWP is an association and legislative consulting firm based in Sacramento, CA.
LWP has a contract with CAPT to provide a full range of services to the association. In effect, the consultants serve as CAPT's full-time staff. All the consultants work out of CAPT's Sacramento Headquarters.
The services provided by LWP include:
Western, Murch & Associates, CAPT's original consulting firm, was created in 1985 by labor union veterans Dan Western and Ken Murch. Western and Murch were contacted by Psych Techs who wanted to break away from their existing union and start their own. As a result, CAPT was born.
When Western retired in 2003, Steve Bassoff took his place as Murch's partner, and the firm was renamed Murch, Bassoff & Associates, Inc. Murch led MB&A until 2012, the year he retired. In like manner, Bassoff led MB&A until June 2016, the year he retired. That's when three of the remaining MB&A consultants formed LWP.
Lyles, Wiesmann, Pizzotti & Associates, Inc.
Ann Lyles
LWP’s Ann Lyles joined CAPT in 2005. Lyles has held a Psychiatric Technician license since 1978. Before becoming a full-time CAPT consultant, Lyles was a long-time CAPT activist. She began her Psych Tech career at Lanterman Developmental Center, then moved to Patton State Hospital. While at PSH, she became active with CAPT as chapter secretary, then as chapter president for eight years. She served as CAPT’s state vice president for six years during that time.
Lyles currently serves CAPT as its chief contract negotiator and is the first Psych Tech to lead CAPT’s negotiations at the bargaining table. Lyles serves as the liaison between CAPT and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and California Correctional Health Care Services, Department of State Hospitals, and the Department of Developmental Services. In addition to her representational duties, Lyles also serves CAPT as its official liaison with the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians.
Carol Wiesmann
LWP’s Carol Wiesmann joined CAPT in 1996. Wiesmann provides accounting services for the association’s day-to-day financial operations and is the managing editor of the Outreach magazine, CAPT’s flagship publication. Wiesmann provides oversight of the chapters’ monthly financials, and provides accounting training to the chapters, as needed. She develops all financial reports for the association’s annual audit, and is responsible for negotiating board-approved contractual agreements with outside vendors. Wiesmann facilitates several programs and administrative procedures, including CAPT's scholarship program, and its annual meeting. She serves on the JLM Psych Tech Apprenticeship and 20/20 Committees, and provides oversight to the union's officer elections. She also maintains and updates CAPT’s State Constitution and Bylaws and Operating Policies.
Prior to CAPT, Wiesmann worked five years as a Savings and Loan branch manager and 17 years in administrative healthcare. Her educational background includes nursing, graphic design and journalism.
Coby Pizzotti
LWP’s Coby Pizzotti joined CAPT in 2012 as its chief lobbyist and political consultant. Pizzotti represents CAPT at legislative hearings affecting public employee labor, safety, working conditions, wages, and benefits. He is also the voice of CAPT on state hospital safety issues and the coalition of labor organizations. He testifies at policy hearings affecting Psych Tech licenses and fees and advises the CAPT Board of Directors and Political Action Committee on political campaigns and independent expenditures.
Working for several legislators, Assembly speakers, labor organizations, and political campaigns, Pizzotti’s experience with labor and politics dates back nearly 28 years. He has an extensive history developing public policy, writing laws, working on the state budget, and creating legislative and political strategies. As a consultant to Assembly Speakers Herb J. Wesson, Jr. and Fabian Núñez, Pizzotti drafted political positions for the California State Assembly Democratic Caucus. Mr. Pizzotti also served six years as a political advocate for the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association.
Sean Bedrosian
LWP’s Sean Bedrosian joined CAPT in 2014. As CAPT’s attorney and consultant, Bedrosian’s primary duties involve providing legal representation to CAPT members in adverse action appeals before the State Personnel Board and licensing/certification appeals. He also represents CAPT, providing advice and assistance to the Board of Directors, CAPT officers, and job stewards on a wide range of legal issues, including Unfair Practice Charges filed with the Public Employee Relations Board, as well enforcement of the CAPT MOU through the grievance and arbitration process.
A native of Sacramento, Sean earned his B.A. in Political Science and Philosophy from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He received his J.D. from William and Mary Law School in Virginia.
Chris Caro
LWP’s Chris Caro joined CAPT in 2015 as its communications consultant. Caro is responsible for the association’s internal and external communications. She is editor of the Outreach magazine and is responsible for the design, content and distribution of print and electronic communications. She manages media contacts, writes press releases and maintains the CAPT website. Caro also works on legislative, professional and recruitment matters.
Prior to joining CAPT’s consulting firm, Chris spent 16 years with the California Newspaper Publishers Association, where she worked in policy research and development, legislative advocacy, governmental affairs, communications and in managing statewide journalism competitions.
Caro earned her B.A. in Political Science and Rhetoric and Communications from the Universtiy of California, Davis.
Debi Loger
LWP’s Debi Loger is CAPT's office manager. Loger also administers programs for the American Association of Psychiatric Technicians.
Debi came to the organization with a background in business. Prior to CAPT, Loger was the office manager for a private elementary school devoted to students with developmental disabilities.
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