Meet our Committee
Anchorage (Council 30)
Bonnie Walters, Local Committee Chairperson
Bonnie Walters is an Anchorage based Flight Attendant. She began as a flight attendant for Horizon Air in 1991 before coming to Alaska Air in 1998.
Bonnie was active with her Union while working at Horizon. That experience made her want to do more to help fellow Flight Attendants. By being involved with EAP she is able to do just that. Since being on the committee she has earned her NCAC and LAP-C certifications. Bonnie hopes to continue learning more about addiction and recovery and earn her SAP certification.
When Bonnie has spare time she loves being with her grandchildren and connecting with friends.
Megan Langford
Megan began flying at Alaska in 2015. Prior to that, she received her Bachelor’s in Sociology and was a social worker for eight years. She worked primarily with clients in residential treatment for substance abuse, as well as those navigating the foster care system. Now, she utilizes her education and skill set on the EAP committee in Anchorage. When not in the air, she is on the hunt for adventure in the state of Alaska and beyond. She and her husband love hiking, camping, rafting and generally getting out to explore the amazing world that is so accessible in the flight attendant life.
email meganlangford@gmail.com
Janie Chenoweth
I am Jane Chenoweth (Janie), ANC EAP committee member since 2006. I started my career with Alaska Air lines in 1999. I had two very good friends that persuaded me to join this union commitee, Bonnie Walters and Melanie Buker. It has been such a rewarding and learning experience. This committee truly serves fellow flight attendants. The training and association with fellow committee members has been invaluable to me. All flight attendants are unique and deserve consideration from our committee no matter what the issue.
I have been a long time aviation fan. My husband, now retired from FEDEX, was a commercial pilot for many years. He gave his love of flying and the aviation industry to our three children. Our son is a FEDEX pilot, our daughter in ANC has her private pilots license as does her husband, our youngest daughter is an Alaska Airlines First Officer and her husband is a Delta pilot. My six grandchildren have all flown enough miles to be MVP Golds!
I have a BFA in Communications from Oklahoma State University. I have lived in Anchorage, Alaska since 1993. I think it is important to give back to any organization you are a part of so giving back to my fellow union members by being a liaison between them and the company as a referral source is very important to me.
My husband and I enjoy skiing and biking and trying to keep up with our children and grandchildren. We both love to travel and love this great state of Alaska.
email janiecheno@aol.com
Pam Kerr
Pam Kerr is an ANC-based FA on a long term swap from PDX. She earned her wings in 2016 after a 30 year career in mental health and education. She is an LCSW and worked as a therapist in various specialities including sexual abuse, child abuse, and HIV/AIDS. She also is a licensed school psychologist providing assessments for autism, behavioral/emotional concerns, traumatic brain injury and health impairments. Although it was a rewarding career, Pam was haunted by the line from Mary Oliver’s poem “And what will you do with your one wild and precious life?” And took the leap to pursue the dream she had since she was 10 years old, which was to be a flight attendant. She hasn’t looked back! Being a member of the EAP is a perfect fit to pull together her past and present lives.
Pam is LOVING living in Alaska, with the super friendly base and the multiple opportunities to explore the amazing beauty of Alaska, and getting outside as much as possible.
email pamkerrafaeap@gmail.com
Los Angeles (Council 18)
Elizabeth Dillon, MEC Committee Chairperson
Elizabeth Dillon is currently a LAX based Flight Attendant for Alaska Airlines of 31 years and has been involved with the Employee Assistance Program (EAP/PS Professional Standards/CIRP Critical Incident Response) since 1996. Elizabeth has earned (3) certificates corresponding to Drug and Alcohol abuse including, NCAC- I (National Certified Addiction Counselor level 1); LAP-C (Labor Assistance Professional) and SAP (Substance Abuse Professional). Elizabeth is responsible for assessments and organizing Inpatient treatment for addicted Flight Attendants at Alaska Airlines, monitoring incoming EAP, Critical Incident and Professional Standard cases.
Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her family, especially the grandkids, traveling and scrapbooking.
Jeanne McCleave, Local Committee Chairperson
Jeanne McCleave is a 25 year flight attendant with Alaska Air, based at LAX. Jeanne has been a member of the AFA EAP-CIRP-PS program since 1997. Jeanne became the MEC EAP-CIRP-PS Co-Chair in 2006. Jeanne’s experience also includes past employment with the San Joaquin County Substance Abuse Department as a Senior Substance Abuse Counselor. Jeanne holds three certificates as a Labor Assistance Professional, National Addiction Counselor and Substance Abuse Professional.
Jeanne has been married 49 years, is a mother of 3 sons & 12 grandchildren, keeping life busy and interesting. She swims on a US Master’s team and has been listed on the US top ten in her age group.
Ava Ellington
Ava McWilliams Ellington has been a Flight Attendant with Alaska since May of 1989 and an EAP Rep since 2016. She became involved to be of service to her peers. Named a Legend in 2019, Ava can be found flying with her husband and best friend, Captain Gary Duke Ellington, who also became a Legend Award recipient in 2020.
Priscilla Egbe
Priscilla is a Los Angeles based flight attendant. When she was first hired in 2014 she decided to move to Anchorage where she was based for a year and a half. She is now back home in LA.
She is currently working on her masters for Marriage Family Therapy at California Baptist University. She hopes to work with crisis and trauma populations after graduating. When she isn’t flying she interns at Etiwanda School District counseling 1st-5th grade students.
Priscilla joined EAP in 2015 with hopes that she could use the skills and experiences she has attained over the years in mental health to assist, encourage and instill hope to her co workers.
During her free time she enjoys traveling abroad, trying new cuisines, being involved at her church, and relaxing at home with her 2 dogs and cat.
email pbegbe@gmail.com
Jennifer Wallace
Jennifer Wallace is an LAX based flight attendant. Jennifer attended California State University Long Beach and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design & Architecture. She worked in this field for many years. During a career change, Jennifer began studying nursing, served as a volunteer at Hoag hospital and worked in the Neurology unit. She became further interested in a career that could help others, she joined Alaska Airlines in April 2017.
She discovered EAP when she was injured on the aircraft, EAP called to check on her- and she never forgot the care and kindness provided. This event prompted her to join EAP because she wants to give back and help crew members in their time of need.
In her role as an EAP representative, she hopes to continue to connect flight attendants with the resources they need during difficult times. She is CIRP certified.
In her time off, she enjoys spending time with her husband, their dog Maggie, family and friends. She loves dogs, architecture/design, Pilates, weightlifting, paddle boarding, hiking, backpacking, and everything relating to the beach, the ocean and has a love of nature & the great outdoors.
email jenny.noel@yahoo.com
Andrew Beltran
Andrew Beltran is an LAX based Flight Attendant who has been flying since 2017. Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA he has been quite involved in the “LA/Hollywood Scene” from being an extra on tv shows to working award show parties. He has held previous careers as a massage therapist, yoga instructor, dog walker, uber driver, and valet attendant. He also spent many years involved with the Boy Scouts of America and holds the prestige title of “Eagle Scout”. His life experiences and involvement in the community has made him a humble and caring human being who strives to always be honest, be prepared, and do the right thing.
Andrew holds an associate degree in Humanities from Pasadena City College and continues to expand his knowledge on all subjects of lifelong learning. He joined the EAP committee because he genuinely likes to help others and wants to provide the same support and care he was given when he received a second chance at life after a serious auto accident. On his free time you can find him traveling, exercising, being outdoors, and overall living an active lifestyle.
email beltran92@yahoo.com
Portland (Council 39)
Contesa Diaz-Nicolaidis, Local Committee Chairperson
Over 26 years ago, during her junior year of college, Contesa took a “summer job” as a Flight Attendant with Alaska Airlines, based in Anchorage and flying Russia routes. Later, returning to school, Contesa balanced both school and flying until completion. Following her time in Anchorage, Contesa flew out of Los Angeles and Seattle until landing a placement in her hometown of Portland, Oregon.
Contesa has been a part of many special projects throughout her career to include The “D” Check Flight Attendant Training, Rose Festival employee activations, Flight Attendant Hiring Ambassador Program, Flight Attendant Recruitment, and The VOICE Committee.
Contesa’s most important work has been as a Union Representative with AFA-CWA, as the Local Chairperson of the Employee Assistance Program, where she leads a team of volunteers who assist with Critical Incidents, Professional Standards and Employee Resources to include Substance Abuse, Mental Health and Traumatic and Critical Incident Response. Contesa holds a Certified Labor Assistance Professional Certificate, with special emphasis on mental health, chemical abuse, or dependency issues.
Contesa is an active Board Member of the Rose Festival Foundation, where she currently holds the position of President-Elect of the Executive Board of Directors. Contesa also volunteers as the Rose Festival Court Chair, where she leads a mentorship program for high school juniors and seniors throughout Portland and surrounding areas.
In her personal time, Contesa enjoys spending time with family, attending her son’s sporting events, flower projects, visiting family in Greece, and traveling.
Kim LaValley
Kim LaValley is a Portland based flight attendant. She began her flying career fresh out of college in 1991. She was previously based in Seattle prior to the Portland base opening.
Kim has served on many award winning company projects over the years, and also served on several union committees including VOICE, Communications, Scheduling, and Grievance.
Serving on the EAP committee has always been Kim’s desire. She loves helping others. Having dealt with several difficult situations in her life, she wanted to give back, and found that EAP was a perfect fit for her.
Kim has 4 sons, 3 of whom are now grown and on their own, but has spent countless hours over the years as a volunteer for various schools, sports teams and organizations within her community. She currently enjoys spending her free time with her youngest son while he is still at home.
email kimlavalley@comcast.net
Terri Norwood
Terri Norwood is a PDX based flight attendant. She started working with Alaska Airlines as a CSA in PDX, May 1999. She served on the CARE team with Flight 261 and joined the Alaska inflight in November of 2000. Terri has published her autobiography which serves as support and encouragement for victims of domestic violence.
Terri joined the EAP because she wants to be a safe place for all flight attendants in times of distress or crisis. She feels it is important that everyone know that someone cares. Terri also volunteers as a Make A Wish Wish granter and is serving on the Board of Directors for the Portland Rose Festival.
In her spare time Terri enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren and is learning the craft of pour painting.
email flyinggrama@gmail.com
San Diego (Council 15)
Melanie Buker, Local Committee Chairperson
Melanie started her flying career with Horizon Air in 1986. While at Horizon, she joined the newly formed Critical Incident Response Program (CIRP). She switched to Alaska Airlines in 2002 and was recruited into the EAP program for Council 30 Anchorage. She chaired in this position for 8 years until she was elected as the Council 30 President in January of 2011.
She currently holds the AFA Vice President position for Council 15, San Diego and is the Chair of their EAP program.
Rex Hampton
Starting off as a licensed cosmetologist in 1990, Rex quickly realized his natural talent for listening to others and the ability to show empathy toward his clients. 22 years later, Rex decided to bring those skills to Alaska Airlines in 2012 where he excelled first as a CSA, but knew becoming a flight attendant would ultimately fulfill his personal goals and ambitions. It was in this role that he was able to identify when others (whether crew-members or passengers) were in need of support. His intuitive nature and ability to connect with people was recognized in 2018 by a fellow colleague who suggested he become a part of the EAP committee. Rex was very interested in this position, so after interviewing and spending many long days training in Critical Incident Response (CIRP), Employee Assistance (EAP), and FA Drug and Alcohol Program (FADAP), Rex officially became a certified representative.
While committing a lot of his time to the program, Rex often enjoys his free time with family, friends, and his husband Frank. He enjoys painting, cooking, sewing, and riding his two horses, Gabbana and Mister. Rex is currently continuing his education through the Union Plus free degree program focusing on an Associates of Arts with an emphasis in Spanish.
If you ever see Rex, feel free to say, “HI” and you will surely be greeted with a warm welcome and a genuine smile. Or should you ever need to utilize the EAP services, you will find comfort in knowing you have a true supporter on your side.
email rexonthebeach@yahoo.com
Norma Dormann
Norma was born and raised in San Francisco. She received her B.S. from San Diego State University and has called San Diego home ever since.
Norma started her flight attendant career with Alaska in 2013 and was ANC based her first 9 months, before transferring home to SAN.
Norma came to us with 30 years law enforcement experience investigating serious crimes including sexual assaults and child abductions. She volunteered for 12 years on the department’s peer support team, leading the group for 2 years. Norma has spent countless hours speaking with people in a variety of life’s situations and is happy to bring her active listening skills to lend support to others confidentially and without judgement in her role as EAP rep.
Norma has been married for 35 yrs and has two adult sons and a daughter-in-law. She enjoys yoga, paddle boarding, bike riding, reading and walking her lab, Maggie (although not all at the same time). Norma mentors a teenaged girl weekly and does her best to find life’s balance through prayer, meditation and self care.
email eap.norma@icloud.com
San Francisco (Council 35)
Zarah Cummings (Shaw), Local Committee Chairperson
Zarah Cummings is a San Francisco Based Flight Attendant, who began as a Flight Attendant with Virgin America in 2011.
Zarah wore many hats with Virgin, including being the peer selected Flight Attendant Representative for the Hotel Committee, working on Special Assignment for Catering to refine and develop the evolution of the First Class Service Standards and being a member of the Promo Team. She also was an Inflight Team Leader and became an Air Transportation Supervisor and certified member of the Training Department.
Since the merger with Alaska Airlines, Zarah has continued her involvement by becoming active in the AFA Union. She started as a Grievance Representative before she went on to become to pioneering member of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) in San Francisco. This was an exciting opportunity for Zarah as she saw it as a way to merge her passion and education in Psychology, with her life experiences and love of Aviation. She hopes to provide a safe space for her fellow Flight Attendants to get the resources they need while working to dispel the learned stigma and shame that often surrounds taking care of ones Mental Health.
During her free time, Zarah is an avid reader, is passionate about cooking and baking, enjoys hunting for antiques, and recently became a licensed Real Estate Agent in Virginia. She also loves going on adventures with her darling Husband and taking naps with her beloved cat Kiki, (who she is firmly convinced is the most amazing creature in the whole world).
Jody Ventura, Local Committee Vice Chairperson
Jody started as a flight attendant with Virgin America in 2013 where she worked as an Inflight Team Leader and Promo Team Member.
In 2015 Jody took the brave and courageous step to end her experience with alcohol abuse and got sober. After three years of continuous sobriety, she decided to join EAP in 2018 to support other flight attendants who struggle with alcohol and drug abuse. She understands what it’s like to struggle through the awful this experience and the everyday challenges flight attendants face in sobriety.
Supporting people in their recovery is a passion of hers and she is now a certified Life and Recovery Coach. Her goal is to support others in living an empowered sober life where they feel confident in who they are without allowing their past to define them.
In her free time, she loves to try new restaurants with her boyfriend, eat burritos, travel around the world, take long walks, read self help books and watch all of the Bravo shows!
Seattle (Council 19)
Lisa Allen
In her former life, prior to working as a Flight Attendant, Lisa donated much of her time to various committees. Her ‘Homeroom Mom’ humble roots, paved the way for more challenging opportunities to serve in positions that were both volunteer, and approved by voted-in appointments. She had the privilege to serve as: City of Murrieta Commissioner for 3 years as a (General Plan Commissioner), and 4 years as a (Traffic and Transportation Commissioner). Lisa has also owned her own business, while raising and supporting her 3 children into adulthood. Along with single parenting, preparing 3 small children for the world’s challenges, the other biggest accomplishment she is most thankful for, is being honored to be the first in her family to graduate from college with degrees in – Math, Science, and Psychology, from Mount Sac, San Jaciento Ca.
Lisa absolutely loves her job as a Flight Attendant, and has adopted her friends and colleagues at 35,000 feet, as her ‘Second Family’. She has always believed – There is goodness in all people. Lisa believes – All people jump Hurdles, experience Holdbacks, and need a little help to rise over Hard Humps in this busy life. Lisa is no stranger to Life’s Hardships and Deep Personal Loss. It is this experience that has given her the fortitude and faith, to help her fellow flight attendants, when they may need it most. “Always choose to do the right thing… and by gosh, Pay IT Forward”. This personal mantra, Lisa commits to accomplishing as often as humanly possible, and of course… hopes she can help others to achieve.
email coming soon
Ashley Harding
Ashley Harding started her career as Seattle Based Flight Attendant in October 2012. She made the decision to join the EAP Committee due to her personal life experiences and interest in making a positive impact on people’s lives.
Ashley hopes to help change her colleagues’ experiences through her compassion, confidentiality and professionalism. When Ashley isn’t flying, she enjoys travelling with her family. Ashley is also the President of her local Co-Op and a PTA member at Idlewild Elementary School.
