Jesse Castañeda (Member-at-Large)

Class Title: Supervising Patient Business Services Clerk
Department: Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital System (SCVHHS)
Executive Board Service: Since 2017
Committee Chair: Communications Committee
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 408.885.6962

My name is Jesse Castañeda. I was born and raised in San Jose, CA. I am married to Isabel Villavicencio, who works in the Finance Department at 70 W. Hedding Ave. I have 2 boys, Taylor and Connor. I enjoy working out and mountain biking. I also love to volunteer in the community when I have time. I currently work as a supervisor for registration and billing in the Emergency Department and Express Care Clinic at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center.

This is my 2nd term on the CEMA Executive Board. When I joined the Board, it was going through some difficult times and there was a lot of infighting on the Board. I weathered the storm and the CEMA board has been working well together and moving in the same direction. I love working with the CEMA Board and continuing to strengthen our Union.

In 2021, I am the co-Chair of the CEMA Communication team, and I will be a member of the CEMA Political Action Committee. I have been a former chair for the PAC and the Election Committee.

I have worked for the County of Santa Clara since 1997. I worked for ten years at the Positive PACE Clinic where I began working as an HSR, and was eventually promoted to Senior Health Services Representative working on Health Benefits for about 800+ HIV+ patients from Santa Clara County. I then became a Supervisor in the Admitting Department as a Supervising Patient Business Services Clerk and I then transferred to the Outpatient Department with 770 Patient Access. During 2015, I transferred to a position as Supervising PBS Clerk for the Emergency Department and Express Care Clinic. I have been in this position for a little over 6 years.

I take enormous pride in my work and supporting the employees who report to me.

I have been an active member of our community and believe strongly in the importance of civic engagement. I have served on the Board of Directors for Resources for Family and Communities (RFC). I volunteered with the ROV for over 25 years as a Precinct Clerk, Precinct Inspector and as a Field Inspector. I have also served as President of Edendale/Great Oaks Planning and Implementation Committee (EGOPIC) for the City of San Jose’s Strong Neighborhood Commission. I also have served as President of the Great Oaks Neighborhood Association (GONA) Strong Neighborhood commission.

I am committed to diversity in the public sector and have served as Chair for City San Jose Project Diversity Screening Committee for all Boards and Commissions. I have also served as Chair for Silicon Valley Alliance for Immigration Reform (SVAIR). I am a former president of National Immigration Reform Advocates, I have been a member of the following organizations: FWD.US, People Acting in Community Together (PACT), and Not in Our Town (NIOT).