board of directors 2015-2017
Maurizio (Mark) Smith, President
Maurizio (Mark) Smith currently serves as CUIC Board President. Prior to this position he served as CUIC Vice-President and Board Advisor. Maurizio recently served as the Chairperson of the Unemployment Insurance Technical Subcommittee to the School Employer Advisory Committee. He also is a past President of the California Chapter of the Association of Unemployment Tax Organizations. Maurizio is currently employed as the Executive Director of the UI Division of the California Association of Hospitals and Health Systems located in Chatsworth, providing comprehensive UI services throughout the state exclusively to hospitals and health systems. He was previously employed at the Los Angeles County Office of Education as an Unemployment Insurance Specialist, overseeing UI services to all school and community college districts, including charter schools. Prior to that, he worked as a third party administrator for several UI companies. His duties included managing offices in Los Angeles and San Diego as well as representing employers throughout California in all aspects of UI claims and appeals management.
Derrick Washington, Vice President
With more than 25 years of experience in the human resources and employee relations industry, Derrick is responsible for HR strategy and operations, administration and logistics management. Derrick facilitates the development of overall HR strategies in support of a company’s business objectives, and works with senior management to implement HR policies and objectives, especially in attracting, retaining, motivating and developing key talent. Derrick has worked in the architecture and engineering industry for more than 14 years, and was most recently a Senior Associate with DLR Group. Derrick was responsible for all human resource functions for the California, as well as having oversight of DLR Group’s health plan and other employee benefit programs. Derrick’s areas of responsibility included employee benefits, compensation, learning and development, employee relations and career services, recruitment and staffing, information management, and leadership development. Derrick is affiliated with the Urban Planning division of the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA). HACLA is a state-chartered public agency. It provides the largest stock of affordable housing in Los Angeles and is one of the nation’s leading public housing authorities. It is also one of the oldest, providing quality housing options and supportive services to the citizens of of Los Angeles since 1938. Collaborating with residents and public, non-profit and private entities, Derrick strives to create viable, healthy communities to empower residents to achieve financial independence
Susan Rodriguez, Secretary
Susan Rodriguez has been CUIC Board Secretary since 2008. Founder of her own law firm, Susan brings over 20 years of legal experience to guide employers through the complexities of California employment law. Ms. Rodriguez has a proven track record of providing practical legal solutions that enable companies to successfully assess and minimize liability so that they can focus on productivity and growth. She has represented employers before state and federal courts, as well as the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In addition, Susan is Vice President of the Los Angeles Convention Center Authority. Susan Rodriguez graduated from Yale University and University of Michigan Law School. She was admitted to the California State Bar in 1990.
Maria Giese, Treasurer
Maria Giese has been a Finance professional for more than 25 years. She is currently the CFO and Human Resources Administrator at LACorr Packaging, LLC since 2004. Prior to LACorr’s, Maria held various Finance positions in the manufacturing, distribution and professional services industries. As CFO, Maria is responsible for generating monthly, and annual financial statements, and budgets. She began her career in the HR field with LACorr Packaging. There she leads an organization focused on driving the company’s workforce strategy including talent acquisition, development, rewards and workplace experience for 150+ employees. Mrs. Giese has been an active member of SHRM and PIHRA for over eight years. Maria earned her degrees from California State University Los Angeles.
Lupe Aguirre Onechanh, SHRM-SCP, SPHR-CA, Director of IT and Communications
Lupe Aguirre Onechanh has served on the Executive Board of Directors for the California Unemployment Insurance Council (CUIC) since 2005. She is also active on the Board of Directors for the Employment Round Table of Southern California (ERTSC) which partners with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing. In 2013, Ms. Aguirre Onechanh was named Latina of Influence by Hispanic Lifestyle and recognized for her accomplishments of serving the non-English speaking community. She currently directs a variety of aspects in Human Resources for an international Lifestyle Brand. With over 18 years of experience, her areas of proficiency include Risk Management (Safety/ Workers' Compensation), Employee Relations, Total Compensation/ Benefits, Diversity, Community, Performance Management, Training & Development, Change Management, and Conflict Resolution.
Sarah Rios, Advisor
Sarah Rios is currently serving as CUIC Board Advisor, and served as CUIC Board President from 2007 to 2010. Ms. Rios was also former President of Personnel Management Association of Aztlan from 2007-2008.Sarah is a senior management professional with over 30 years of experience in Human Resources (HR), with a specialty in Unemployment Insurance (UI) Management. Prior to starting her own human resources consulting service, she worked for Employment Tax Services as Director of UI Operations. During her 20-year tenure at the Employers Group, a Human Resources organization, Ms. Rios held positions as a Manager (Riverside Office), Manager of UI Services, UI Hearing Specialist, UI Workshop Trainer, and Helpline HR Consultant.
Maurizio (Mark) Smith currently serves as CUIC Board President. Prior to this position he served as CUIC Vice-President and Board Advisor. Maurizio recently served as the Chairperson of the Unemployment Insurance Technical Subcommittee to the School Employer Advisory Committee. He also is a past President of the California Chapter of the Association of Unemployment Tax Organizations. Maurizio is currently employed as the Executive Director of the UI Division of the California Association of Hospitals and Health Systems located in Chatsworth, providing comprehensive UI services throughout the state exclusively to hospitals and health systems. He was previously employed at the Los Angeles County Office of Education as an Unemployment Insurance Specialist, overseeing UI services to all school and community college districts, including charter schools. Prior to that, he worked as a third party administrator for several UI companies. His duties included managing offices in Los Angeles and San Diego as well as representing employers throughout California in all aspects of UI claims and appeals management.
Derrick Washington, Vice President
With more than 25 years of experience in the human resources and employee relations industry, Derrick is responsible for HR strategy and operations, administration and logistics management. Derrick facilitates the development of overall HR strategies in support of a company’s business objectives, and works with senior management to implement HR policies and objectives, especially in attracting, retaining, motivating and developing key talent. Derrick has worked in the architecture and engineering industry for more than 14 years, and was most recently a Senior Associate with DLR Group. Derrick was responsible for all human resource functions for the California, as well as having oversight of DLR Group’s health plan and other employee benefit programs. Derrick’s areas of responsibility included employee benefits, compensation, learning and development, employee relations and career services, recruitment and staffing, information management, and leadership development. Derrick is affiliated with the Urban Planning division of the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA). HACLA is a state-chartered public agency. It provides the largest stock of affordable housing in Los Angeles and is one of the nation’s leading public housing authorities. It is also one of the oldest, providing quality housing options and supportive services to the citizens of of Los Angeles since 1938. Collaborating with residents and public, non-profit and private entities, Derrick strives to create viable, healthy communities to empower residents to achieve financial independence
Susan Rodriguez, Secretary
Susan Rodriguez has been CUIC Board Secretary since 2008. Founder of her own law firm, Susan brings over 20 years of legal experience to guide employers through the complexities of California employment law. Ms. Rodriguez has a proven track record of providing practical legal solutions that enable companies to successfully assess and minimize liability so that they can focus on productivity and growth. She has represented employers before state and federal courts, as well as the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In addition, Susan is Vice President of the Los Angeles Convention Center Authority. Susan Rodriguez graduated from Yale University and University of Michigan Law School. She was admitted to the California State Bar in 1990.
Maria Giese, Treasurer
Maria Giese has been a Finance professional for more than 25 years. She is currently the CFO and Human Resources Administrator at LACorr Packaging, LLC since 2004. Prior to LACorr’s, Maria held various Finance positions in the manufacturing, distribution and professional services industries. As CFO, Maria is responsible for generating monthly, and annual financial statements, and budgets. She began her career in the HR field with LACorr Packaging. There she leads an organization focused on driving the company’s workforce strategy including talent acquisition, development, rewards and workplace experience for 150+ employees. Mrs. Giese has been an active member of SHRM and PIHRA for over eight years. Maria earned her degrees from California State University Los Angeles.
Lupe Aguirre Onechanh, SHRM-SCP, SPHR-CA, Director of IT and Communications
Lupe Aguirre Onechanh has served on the Executive Board of Directors for the California Unemployment Insurance Council (CUIC) since 2005. She is also active on the Board of Directors for the Employment Round Table of Southern California (ERTSC) which partners with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing. In 2013, Ms. Aguirre Onechanh was named Latina of Influence by Hispanic Lifestyle and recognized for her accomplishments of serving the non-English speaking community. She currently directs a variety of aspects in Human Resources for an international Lifestyle Brand. With over 18 years of experience, her areas of proficiency include Risk Management (Safety/ Workers' Compensation), Employee Relations, Total Compensation/ Benefits, Diversity, Community, Performance Management, Training & Development, Change Management, and Conflict Resolution.
Sarah Rios, Advisor
Sarah Rios is currently serving as CUIC Board Advisor, and served as CUIC Board President from 2007 to 2010. Ms. Rios was also former President of Personnel Management Association of Aztlan from 2007-2008.Sarah is a senior management professional with over 30 years of experience in Human Resources (HR), with a specialty in Unemployment Insurance (UI) Management. Prior to starting her own human resources consulting service, she worked for Employment Tax Services as Director of UI Operations. During her 20-year tenure at the Employers Group, a Human Resources organization, Ms. Rios held positions as a Manager (Riverside Office), Manager of UI Services, UI Hearing Specialist, UI Workshop Trainer, and Helpline HR Consultant.
