Board of Directors

	President Michelle Caldwell, CSR, CRR, has been a certified shorthand reporter for 35 years. After graduating from the California School of Court Reporting in 1990, she freelanced for several years before becoming an Official Court Reporter for Santa Clara County. There, she played a key role in forming a reporter-specific bargaining unit, served as a union steward and negotiated labor contracts. She has extensive legislative training and experience and has collaborated with unions, associations and state focus groups advocating for the advancement and protection of reporters. She has served on numerous boards and volunteered in nonprofit programs on a myriad of topics dealing with advocacy for women and children. Michelle is also a freelance writer, having written for local, state and national publications. She retired from the Court in 2024 to partner in a freelance reporting firm. Michelle spends her downtime reading and traveling and lives with her husband of 35 years along the Northern California coast. Email Michelle
	President-Elect Tamara Houston, CSR 7244, RPR, CCRR has been a California CSR for 39 years. She started her career freelancing both in criminal and civil court. Emerald Deposition Reporters was formed in 1995 by Tamara while she continued improving her skills and professional representation as a CSR within the industry. After obtaining her CCRR in 2010, Tamara joined Caption Colorado to do national broadcasting from home in her "spare" time while working as a full-time reporter. However, court reporting was her passion and she dedicated herself to that realm. Tamara's daughter Kaitlyn passed the CSR in November of 2016 and joined her at Emerald Deposition Reporters. Her family life focuses on exotic animal rescue and rehabilitation, as well as attending the rodeos of her youngest daughter Annie, a graduate of UC Davis and accomplished breakaway roper. Tamara has been on the CCRA Board served as a district director for CCRA for nearly four years before becoming president elect, then serving two years as president. In 2023/2024, Tamara served as immediate past president and has reassumed the role of president for 2024/2025. The experiences while serving on the board have been invaluable, especially within the legislative processes. Tamara is passionate about being involved, learning, listening to new ideas, and sharing the knowledge and experience that has been gained over the years to help the evolution and empowerment of current and future court reporters. Let's work together to make this great profession even better! Email Tamara
	Vice President Russell Walker, CSR, RPR, has been a reporter for 18 years. He graduated from court reporting school in San Diego in 2004, then began working in the freelance field in 2005. In early 2006, he discovered how well he fit into the San Diego Superior Court environment, devoted his time to working as a per diem until coming on as an official in 2006. In 2012, as one of the reporters laid off when civil and family law positions were eliminated, Russell was one of the founding members of San Diego’s first official pro tem reporting firm, SDCRC. He worked with that group until accepting reinstatement as an official in early 2014. Russell served nine terms as president of the San Diego Superior Court Reporters Association and continues to serve as a union steward. Russell enjoys serving his church, Horizon South Bay, and spending time with his wife and two sons. Email Russell
	Secretary/Treasurer Stacy Gaskill, CSR, RPR, CCRR, has been a dedicated court reporter since becoming licensed in 1996. She began her official court reporting career with the San Mateo County Superior Court in 1999, where she has reported hearings and trials in all case types. In the fall of 2023, Stacy expanded her skillset by attending West Valley Community College to learn voice writing, and by July 2024, became a licensed voice writer. Beyond her work in the courtroom, Stacy serves as the Chapter Chair for her union, SEIU Local 521, representing court reporters at the San Mateo County Superior Court, and is currently involved with the Labor/Management Committee, contract negotiations, and has served as a steward for the past 15 plus years. Stacy served on the Board of the California Official Court Reporters Association (COCRA) from 2008 to 2019, including a two-year term as President. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to advancing the profession and supporting the court reporting community. “As a new Board member with CCRA, I remain committed to our profession and will continue to be a staunch supporter for the court reporting community through labor advocacy and professional development for all Certified Shorthand Reporters.” Email Stacy
	Immediate Past President Brooke Ryan, CSR, RPR graduated from Humphrey’s College in 1996. She quickly became a Pro Tem for the Sacramento Superior Court which led to an officialship in 2001. In 2003 Brooke was elected CCRA Legislative Council Representative for the Sacramento Officials Court Reporters Association which began her affinity for CCRA. It was around this same time she became a board member for her union, United Public Employees. She ultimately became Chair of the union board and held that position for numerous years. At the same time she was nominated for a Board of Directors position with CCRA. She worked her way up through the positions culminating in her first presidency in 2016. She was re-elected as president in 2017. In 2020, Brooke left her officialship to become a freelancer. Her goal was to come back to CCRA this time as a freelancer. Her passion lies in legislation. She has helped to advocate for multiple bills on behalf of CCRA over the years. Brooke has two boys, Oliver and Truman, and together they love to travel the world. Email Brooke
	District A Priscilla Gwaltney I have been court reporting since 2008. I was freelancing until 2014. I then became employed as an official with Contra Costa County. As of January 2022, I have been freelancing and working as a part-time official with Sacramento Superior Court in the Family Law Relations department since September of 2022. I obtained my RPR in 2019. I have served as chair of the Support Our Students committee and Mentor Chair since 2020. I have been serving on the BOD since 2019. Email Priscilla
	District B Lucy Gonzales, CSR, RPR became a California CSR in 2001. She worked as a freelance reporter for a short time, reporting depositions and court hearings throughout various counties before starting her journey as a pro tem court reporter with Contra Costa County Superior Court, from 2001 to 2005. From 2005 to 2006, she worked as an official court reporter for Solano County Superior Court. In 2006, she made her way back to Contra Costa County Superior Court, as an official court reporter. While working in Contra Costa County Superior Court, Lucy had assignments in family law, civil, juvenile dependency, juvenile delinquency, probate, and criminal courtrooms. She has also been assigned to death penalty cases. In 2019, Lucy obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Court Reporting, from Humphreys University. She also obtained her RPR certification in 2020, and is currently the Lead Court Reporter for Contra Costa County Superior Court. She looks forward to serving on the CCRA Board and in helping to make a difference in the court reporting profession. Email Lucy
	District C Veronica Bertolucci, CSR, CRR, RMR, RPR, has been a court reporter since 2003. She began her career working for a local deposition firm and then joined Kern County Superior Court as an official in 2005. During her years as an official, Veronica has reported all case types and is currently assigned to a felony trial courtroom. She also provides CART services for hearing impaired litigants. She is a member of SEIU and currently serves as the president of her chapter. She has negotiated several contracts as a member of the bargaining team and is also a shop steward. Veronica has taught at the local court reporting school in the past and she hopes to teach again soon. She is a mentor for students and new court reporters when they are hired at Kern County Superior Court. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters. One of her favorite weekend activities is attending her daughters’ sports events. Veronica is looking forward to serving on the CCRA Board of Directors and being more involved with others to promote and improve court reporting. Email V eronica
	District D Lauren Tilbury, CSR I have been a California Court Reporter since 1997. I first got my Nevada CSR license and then attained my California CSR in 1998. I started work immediately in Court. Back then, you had arrived when you became an official. I was an official for 23 years. My main arena was family law, and I worked in a heavy-transcript courtroom. Many celebrities and sports figures appeared in my courtroom. In 2013, OCSC made reporters part-time employees. In 2018, I went to work for LA because it was full-time. It was a great experience, but the travel was just too much. I came back to OC right before the pandemic. I missed my friends so much. It felt good to be home. One of my proudest accomplishments was winning an appeal for all pro tem reporters that allowed officials to buy back their time while being pro team reporters. It was life-changing for a lot of us, and I got to retire seven years early. I am now private and have many private clients. It has been the best thing I’ve ever done, work-wise. When not in the courtroom, I love to paint. The form is called Mandala dotting. I started a group on FB and now have almost 37,000 followers on my page. I am also a Gemologist. Jewels are my passion. I have a very kind and supportive husband, an adorable and incredibly successful son, two cats, and a tortoise. I am loving the niche I have created for myself as a board member of CCRA. I am proud to be the engineer of the reincarnated mentoring program now known as "The Wisdom Exchange." It will be a fantastic avenue for new and working reporters to get the guidance they need to become self-confident reporters and pay it forward by helping other reporters find our program. I see it becoming very successful and going nationwide. Life is good. Email Lauren
	District E Elena Murphy, CSR, obtained her CVR in 2022 after completing coursework at West Valley College and passing the test in Atlanta. She worked freelance, remotely, for an agency in Gainesville, GA, primarily in Athens Clarke-County State Court but also taking down depositions and sitting in other courtrooms in nearby counties. After voice writing became legal in California, she took the next CSR test and passed, becoming the first licensed CSR voice writer (and only) in California. She is happy she’s not the only one anymore. She was hired at Santa Clara County’s Superior Court and has been enjoying getting to do in-person court after being remote for almost a year. She is excited to grow her knowledge and experience and share it with new and aspiring court reporters as well as growing and advocating for voice writing in California. When not in court, Elena enjoys hanging out with her family, hockey, reading, and various types of crafting. Email Elena
	District F Cristine Ramirez Gerongco, CSR, RPR, CCG, CCR, CVR-S Cristine began her court reporting career in 2009 as a freelance deposition reporter, developed and honed her realtime skills transitioning her skillset toward providing equal accessibility as a CART/Broadcast Captioner, worked as an official court reporter for state superior court, and is currently an official court reporter for the federal judiciary. She has reported and captioned onsite and remotely across the country and internationally. Cristine is passionate about sharing her knowledge and helping others discover and enter this rewarding career. Her enthusiasm has inspired her family, with several relatives, including her sister and cousins, starting their own court reporting journeys. The great thing about this career is that you never stop learning and developing your skills. She continues to maintain her skills and speed through weekly intentional practice with fellow colleagues and students. She enjoys giving back to her steno community and volunteers as an instructor for Project Steno. Email Cristine
	Director, District G Cindy Tachell, CSR, CRR, RPR Cindy Tachell, CSR, RPR, CRR, CCRR, began her career in January of 1990 as a freelancer, reporting depositions, arbitrations, and public hearings. She became an Official Reporter Realtime with the Los Angeles Superior Court in 1996 and has reported in civil, family law, and criminal courtrooms. Cindy is the Immediate Past President of the Los Angeles County Court Reporters Association. She’s chaired the Legislative Committee and helped to work on legislation to provide Californians with the best record of court proceedings. This will be Cindy’s first year on the board with CCRA. “Give 15 minutes to your association.” Email Cindy
	Executive Director Gloria Peterson Email Gloria

California Court Reporters Association