James McGee

Mr. McGee joined the Transit Employees’ Health & Welfare Fund in 2003, tasked with automating fund office procedures. He retired in 2020 but was brought back in early 2023 as Interim Executive Director to continue what he had started. If he has learned one thing it is that office automation technology advances faster than our ability to implement and adapt. It’s his goal to make those life changes that accompany our work lives as seamless as possible for the hardworking members of ATU Local 689.

Mr. McGee has spent his career working with jointly trusted public and private sector health and pension plans. He started as a Trustee of his own union’s health and pension plans – UA Local 520. He has written articles and been a speaker for the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP).

Mr. McGee graduated from Lehigh University, received his MBA from Penn State University, and his Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) designation from the IFEBP and the Wharton School. In addition to being CEBS Compliant, he has also earned the Certificate of Achievement in Public Plan Policy – Health and Pension.

Crystal Long

Crystal Long

is the Chief Financial Officer at Transit Employees’ Health and Welfare (TEHW) with over 20 years of successful experience in health plan and non-for-profit financial management. Her experience also includes auditing Labor Unions, Pension Plans, Health and Welfare Trusts, 401k Plans and Non-for-profits.

Crystal graduated from Bowie State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration from Walden University with a concentration in Leadership. As an industry professional, Crystal has worked for several types of health care organizations including Federal Employee Health Benefit (FEHB) plans, for-profit healthcare company, and non for profits.

Dedicated to service, Crystal is passionate about financial literacy and recognizes the importance of understanding one’s health and welfare benefits as being a staple in providing a lasting legacy to families. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, teaching financial literacy, and spending time with family and friends.

Phil Plymouth

Phil Plymouth is the Controller at Transit Employees’ Health and Welfare Plan. He has over 15 years of accounting experience, working in a health plan and labor union environment. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration with a concertation in Information Systems Management. His mission is to provide members with excellent customer service.

Ashley Wade

Ashley Wade is the Disability Analyst and Project Manager at Transit Employees’ Health and Welfare. She graduated from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and another in Ministerial Studies. She also has a background in Education, Project, and Program Coordination. Ashley is currently working on obtaining her Graduate Degree from Walden University. At TEHW, she will handle the review process for short and long term disability claims by providing regular report status updates. She will also have the responsibility of communicating with members and management to ensure a complete report is done. During her spare time, Ashley enjoys reading inspirational books, shopping with her friends, spending time with her family, and traveling. She continuously serves in her community and church as a mentor to 150 to 200 children.

Kierra Richardson

Kierra Richardson is the Executive Assistant & Human Resources Manager at Transit Employees Health and Welfare Plan. Her background at TEHW is extensive as she’s worked closely with members on a day-to-day basis in regard to New Hires, Retirees (Medicare), COBRA letters, transfers out of Local 689, Opt-out processing, and terminations. Her current responsibilities include implementing systems for managing staff benefits, payroll, behavior, and onboarding new employees. Kierra is dedicated to ensuring that TEHW runs smoothly and efficiently.

Jackie Wilson

Jackie Wilson is our Director of Member Outreach at Transit Employees’ Health and Welfare. As the Senior Manager of Health Integration, she works with the Moving Metro staff, Local 689, WMATA, and community partners to provide a holistic wellness experience for members and their families. She processes newly hired employees and short-term/long-term disability requests and assists members on the phone in person at the office. She also works with the TEHW staff to offer programs and services that address the needs of our membership. Jackie understands that good health is more than physical when it comes to our community of members.

Bertha Villatoro

Bertha Villatoro is the Senior Manager of Member Affairs & Satisfaction at Transit Employees’ Health and Welfare. She has been a member of Local 689 since January 2001. She provides Local 689 employees with an explanation of benefits and assists them with the enrollment and termination processes. Bertha ensures that all documentation complies with federal and state laws impacting employee benefits, Power of Attorney, Legal Documentation, etc. She also supports employees through the entire employee benefit lifecycle.

Kiana Vincent

Kiana Vincent serves as the Communications & Digital Media Specialist at Transit Employees’ Health and Welfare. In her role, she is responsible for managing both internal and external communications, overseeing the company’s website, and maintaining its social media presence. With a strong background in customer service and graphic design, Kiana is dedicated to creating a fresh vision for TEHW and ensuring optimal member experiences. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications with a concentration in Broadcast Journalism from Virginia Commonwealth University, and is currently pursuing her Masters Degree at Morgan State University.

Brandon Graves

Brandon Graves is the Director of Health & Wellness at the Transit Employees Health and Welfare Plan, bringing over 10 years of experience in public health, where he has promoted, advocated, and educated communities across the Washington DC Metropolitan area. He also serves as an adjunct professor at American University in Washington, DC, and Cambridge College in Boston, MA, where he teaches courses in organizational health, program planning and evaluation, and exercise science. In his current role, he oversees the design, implementation, and evaluation of the employee wellbeing strategy at Transit, aimed at improving the health of Local 689 members employed at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).

Brandon holds a Bachelor’s degree in Community Health from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Master’s degree in Health Promotion Management from American University. Prior to earning his master’s degree, he worked as the Worksite Wellness Specialist at the Transit Employees Health and Welfare Plan for five years, where he developed the 689 Moving Metro Wellness Program.

After completing his master’s degree, Brandon worked for Plus One, an Optum Company, as a Health Promotion Specialist. In this role, he had the opportunity to create CACI’s first-ever wellbeing initiatives. While at Plus One, he delivered presentations on Client Strategy and Alignment and served on the Health Promotion Advisory Board, leading their Comprehensive Health Engagement Platform Matrix Project.

Now back at Transit, Brandon is dedicated to continuing his mission of fostering a culture of health and well-being for Local 689 members, connecting them with resources to help them lead active, well-balanced lives. In addition to his degrees, he holds certifications in Personal Training (CPT), Health Coaching (CHC), and Fitness Nutrition (FNS) from the American Council on Exercise, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and is a Certified Wellness Practitioner (CWP) from the National Wellness Institute.

Krystal Simpson

Krystal currently serves as the Health Promotions Specialist for 689 Moving Metro. She hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management with a concentration in Business Administration, accompanied by a robust foundation in customer service, nutrition, and physical health. Krystal has experience teaching at DC Public Schools for a year as a Health and Physical Education teacher, in addition to serving as a track and field coach for 2 years. Krystal is excited to be a part of the TEHW team, where she will be contributing to health promotion initiatives while pursuing certifications related to health and wellness.

Stephanie Steven

Stephanie Steven is the Director of Special Projects at Transit Employees’ Health and Welfare. Stephanie comes to TEHW with a Healthcare Management and Benefits background of over eight years. Prior to TEHW, she worked for CareFirst in the Behavioral Health Intake and Assessment Department. She was responsible for developing and maintaining knowledge bases for use by local Mental Health practices. In her current role, she supports the overall program strategy and ensures benefit plans are administered according to plan provisions and the company’s regulatory guidelines. She carries a Bachelor of Administration from The College of St. Elizabeth and is certified in Medical Billing & Coding.

Kerri Kerr

Kerri Kerr is the Director of Benefits and Eligibility at Transit Employees’ Health & Welfare Plan. Throughout her career in the healthcare industry, she’s held leadership roles in operations, program management, network contracting, and software system implementation. Kerri is new to the Health & Welfare team and is excited to add her 30 years of customer-centric industry experience to this motivated and dynamic team. She is naturally curious and looks forward to learning something new each day. Outside of the office, Kerri travels with her husband and two sons. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) and completed her Master of Health Care Administration and an MBA in Human Resources.

Tiajuana Smith

Tiajuana Smith, also known as “Tia,” is the Benefits and Eligibility Manager at Transit Employees’ Health and Welfare. She possesses over 15 years of experience in Human Resources and Benefits. Tia oversees life insurance, death claims, qualified medical/child support court orders, evidence of insurability, and Delta Dental discrepancy reports. She also assists with administering medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and retirement programs, including Medicare-related inquiries. Tia loves playing cards with her friends, growing/manicuring orchids, and connecting with friends and family outside of work.

Natasha Hawkins

Natasha Hawkins is the Benefits and Eligibility Specialist at Transit Employees’ Health and Welfare. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Biology from Towson University, and a Master of Science degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus. She specializes in documentation as well as educating retired members of the benefits that they possess. Natasha is also responsible for ensuring that retirees have a great experience via phone or in person, discussing their benefits. Natasha uses her positive attitude, diligence, and collaborative efforts to help propel the team in a positive direction and motivate those around her. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, and shopping with her friends.

Bernardine Annor

Bernardine Annor is the Lead Benefits and Eligibility Specialist at Transit Employees Health and Welfare (TEHW). She is a results-oriented account management professional with a strong background in benefits administration and wellness education. She possesses over 8 years of benefits and accounts management experience, with the proven ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, diverse environment while communicating effectively, maintaining client relations, and adhering to urgent deadlines. Bernardine graduated from Bowie State with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and a Master of Science degree from Coppin State in Criminal Justice and Administration.

Anjanatte Parker

Anjanette Parker is a Benefits and Eligibility Specialist at Transit Employees Health and Welfare. She has held many positions in her career from customer service to business analyst. She has a proven track record of excellent customer service, promoting company advancements, and boosting team performance. I have consistently achieved revenue targets by reviewing accurate data and producing creative recommendations. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Fayetteville State University. I also am in the process of pursuing a Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Maryland.

Faith Jackson

Faith Jackson is the Benefits and Eligibility Specialist at Transit Employees Health and Welfare. She has several years of administrative experience. She is knowledgeable in customer service and problem-solving. Faith has demonstrated the skills of being organized and paying attention to details. Faith is excited about carrying out the mission of TEHW and its members. Faith has obtained a bachelor’s degree in International Business from LIM College. Faith is currently seeking her master’s in marketing.

Raymond Jackson

Esker Bilger

Keith Bullock

Sherri T. Dickerson