EACC Staff
Ethan West
UniServ Director - Unit I
Schools -Barnhart, Berry, Billingsley, Brown, Craik, Davis, Diggs, ELC1 (LaPlata), FB Gwynn, Gale-Bailey, Henson, Higdon, Indian Head, JC Parks, Jenifer, Lackey, La Plata, Mattawoman, Matula, McDonough, Middleton, Mitchell, Mt Hope, Mudd, Nanjemoy Creek, Neal, North Point, Piccowaxen, Smallwood,Somers, St Charles, Stethem, Turner, Wade, Westlake
Ethan West
UniServ Director
Ethan West is the UniServ Director assigned to work with the members of EACC.
Ethan has experience in every aspect of union work, including member advocacy and representation, membership recruitment and retention, legislative and political action, contract negotiation and enforcement, leadership development and member training, and more. Most recently, Ethan worked at the Virginia Education Association as a UniServ Director in three Northern Virginia school divisions. Coming from three generations of public-school teachers, Ethan prides himself on a deep belief in the values and power of organized labor, and a commitment to advocating for educators and public education.
Originally from western Charles County, and a former student of Charles County Public Schools, Ethan grew up in the city of Cumberland in Western Maryland. He is a graduate of Allegany High School, class of 2012, and of Frostburg State University, class of 2016, where he earned a B.S. in Political Science and Law and Society. He currently resides in Alexandria, Virginia with his loving wife, Elizabeth, and their dog, Bella.
Elizabeth Rasmussen
UniServ Director - Unit I
Schools -ELC 2(Waldorf), Hanson,Malcolm, Ryon, Stoddert, Stone, TC Martin
Elizabeth Rasmussen
Unit I -UniServ Director
Elizabeth will be working as a UniServ Director in Southern Maryland and spending time with EACC in Charles County. Elizabeth has a history of union experience back in her home state of Florida. She most recently worked as a Lead Membership Organizer for her local union, the Polk Education Association in Bartow, Florida. Elizabeth’s prior experience was in the classroom; she was a Social Studies Teacher in Florida for over 16 years. Elizabeth served on local and state membership committees, as a local building representative, on a local executive board, legislative committee, bargaining team, and was part of the Florida Young Remarkable Educators (FYRE) Cadre. Elizabeth sought to further grow her experiences in preparation for the UniServ Director position by participating in NEA’s Pre-UniServ Academy. Elizabeth has been actively involved and at the forefront of work to maintain a strong union following Florida’s 2023 anti-union legislation that eliminated dues deduction from payroll and requires unions to maintain 60% dues paying members to remain recognized. Elizabeth earned a Bachelor of Education in Social Studies Education from University of North Florida, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from University of South Florida, and a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from University of South Florida.
Dan Besseck
A&S - Unit II - UniServ Director
Unit II Members – refers to directors, coordinators, principals, vice principals, administrative assistants, supervisors, specialists, assistant supervisors, psychologists, and pupil personnel workers.
Dan Besseck
A&S Unit II- UniServ Director
Dan was a police officer from 1984 until 2011. From 1989 until his retirement Dan was involved with his union holding positions of President, Secretary, V.P., Trustee, Retirement Representative, PAC Chair and Chief Negotiator/Negotiation Team Member. Upon retiring Dan went to work for ACE-AFSCME Local 2250/MSEA as the Executive Director representing 5,000 education support professionals in Prince George’s County Public Schools from 2011 to 2013. From 2013 to 2014 Dan was the Executive Director for the South Dakota Education Association which represents 6,000 K-12 certified and support staff and several higher education institution staff. Dan returned to Maryland in 2014 where he now works for MSEA representing 9 administrative and supervisor units (Unit II) throughout the state.
Aimee Holmes
Administrative Assistant
I help prep for meetings, events and professional development. I manage the EACC side of the the Sick Leave Exchange. I am the members' first point of contact and manage the office.
Aimee Holmes
Administrative Assistant
I have been the Administrative Assistant for the EACC since 2014. I am the first point of contact when a member calls the office.
I have worked for a local printing company as a graphic designer/office assistant and with the Southern Maryland State Park Complex as an office assistant. I enjoy art, plants and spending time with family. I love being by the water. It doesn’t matter if it is a beach, lake, stream or creek. Hearing waves though is the most healing sound for me.