Clay is the Vice President of Operations and leads member relations across the Southern California region, including labor, agency, and legislative matters. He is dedicated to cultivating genuine relationships and improving the business environment for UCON’s members.
Derek Borghi has dedicated over a decade to the construction industry, developing skills and knowledge that he now brings to his role as the Director of Labor Relations at UCON.
Derek is grateful to the UCON team for their confidence in him, especially those who have supported his transition into this role. The UCON motto of “relentless service” aligns with Derek’s own values, as he has seen firsthand how this principle drives the organization. He is committed to maintaining this standard, working diligently to earn the trust and respect of the entire team.
Gus Flores serves as the Director of Government Relations at United Contractors . Before joining UCON, Gus worked at a prominent public affairs firm, where he managed legislative, regulatory and ballot measure campaigns. He brings extensive expertise in policy research, message development, strategic communications, coalition building, grassroots advocacy, and paid media.
Ray Baca, formerly of Engineering Contractors’ Association where he served as Executive Director, has extensive experience in the construction industry, and oversees Government and Agency Relations in Southern California. Ray’s commitment to the construction industry is unwavering, and he strives to make a significant and proactive impact by aligning industry, organization, and community needs through the improvement of public policies and the strategic advancement of the construction sector.
Gabrielle Gonzalez is an invaluable member of United Contractors' southern California office, serving as the dedicated Office Administrator. With her strong administrative skills and passion for member service, Gabrielle is here to provide exceptional support to our southern California members. Gabrielle's expertise and dedication enable her to assist our members effectively, ensuring their needs are met promptly and efficiently.
As the Education Coordinator, Avanti works closely with the Director of Member Experience to curate and produce UCON’s professional development and leadership courses to help members build strong leadership skills while advancing their careers and themselves. Avanti values open communication and continuous growth and believes in making it happen! She is a state level swimmer with a communications major, a love for the outdoors, and a curiosity to explore the unknown. She enjoys learning and building strong professional relationships with UCON and its members.
As the events coordinator, Rachel coordinates with the team to ensure smooth execution of events. She enjoys seeing members, contractors, and partners coming together to network and connect with each other and believes in UCON’s mission to make every member’s experience as enriching as possible.
Aurora is a highly skilled Executive Assistant dedicated to providing exceptional administrative and project support to the Executive Vice President (EVP) at UCON. With a keen understanding of the organization’s mission, Aurora plays a crucial role in facilitating communication and collaboration between the EVP and UCON's diverse members, unions, and industry affiliates.
Bringing the industry together and elevating contracting is at the heart of United Contractors. As events manager, Christine orchestrates and executes the events that connect our members, contractors, union partners, elected officials, and more. Christine joined UCON in 2021.
Damian Breen is the founder of Environmental Communications Strategies and former Deputy Executive Officer of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Over a 29-year career, he has worked in the wastewater, air quality, technology, regulatory and government sectors. Damian devised and implemented many ground-breaking regulations and programs, always seeking real partnership with stakeholder and win-win solutions.
