THOMPSON ANNOUNCES MEL ORPILLA AS NEW DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE, RYAN LABAR AS NEW CONSTITUENT SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE IN VALLEJO OFFICE
July 30, 2013
U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) today announced that Mel Orpilla will serve as the new District Representative and Ryan Labar will serve as a new Constituent Services Representative in Thompson's Vallejo office. Orpilla replaces outgoing District Representative Brian Bottari. Labar was hired through the Wounded Warrior Program announced by Thompson in February.
“I am thrilled to have Mel and Ryan on our team,” said Thompson. “They are both smart, talented, hard working individuals who will provide great service to the people in our community.”
Orpilla has worked in non-profit management, public affairs, and journalism for the last twenty-five years. He spent nine years as the Community & Government Relations Manager for Kaiser Permanente in the Napa-Solano Area before taking a position as the Field Representative for State Senator Lois Wolk.
Orpilla serves the community on a number of boards - Salvation Army of Solano County, Rebuilding Together Solano County, Leadership Vallejo, and the Filipino American National Historical Society. He formally served on boards ranging from the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum to the Benicia Vallejo Humane Society.
Orpilla was born and grew up in Vallejo, where he still lives. He has two sons.
“I'm honored to represent Congressman Mike Thompson out of his Vallejo District Office,” said Orpilla. “As a native-Vallejoan and now his staff person, I am looking forward to supporting Congressman Thompson's efforts to strengthen Solano County, Contra Costa County and the entire District.”
Labar joined the army in November 2000 as an infantryman, and has served in almost all infantry levels including, rifleman, Bradley gunner, team leader, squad leader and Bradley commander. He also served as a recruiter for two-and-a-half years.
Labar spent 6 years stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia where he had his first deployment to Kosovo. Upon his return, Labar's unit was part of the spearhead invasion of Iraq with the 1st battalion 30th infantry regiment. One year later, Ryan returned for another one-year deployment with the same battalion to Iraq.
After his second tour, Labar moved to a recruiting assignment and spend two and half years on recruiting duty before he was sent to Korea.
Due to injuries incurred in the military Labar was medically retired in November 2010 at the rank of Sergeant.
Labar is from Vacaville, California where he currently lives. He is married with one daughter.
“Veterans need to know that there are people out there that want to help, and understand what they have been through,” said Labar. “It's an honor for me to serve my fellow Veteran's in this position with Congressman Thompson.”
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
“I am thrilled to have Mel and Ryan on our team,” said Thompson. “They are both smart, talented, hard working individuals who will provide great service to the people in our community.”
Orpilla has worked in non-profit management, public affairs, and journalism for the last twenty-five years. He spent nine years as the Community & Government Relations Manager for Kaiser Permanente in the Napa-Solano Area before taking a position as the Field Representative for State Senator Lois Wolk.
Orpilla serves the community on a number of boards - Salvation Army of Solano County, Rebuilding Together Solano County, Leadership Vallejo, and the Filipino American National Historical Society. He formally served on boards ranging from the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum to the Benicia Vallejo Humane Society.
Orpilla was born and grew up in Vallejo, where he still lives. He has two sons.
“I'm honored to represent Congressman Mike Thompson out of his Vallejo District Office,” said Orpilla. “As a native-Vallejoan and now his staff person, I am looking forward to supporting Congressman Thompson's efforts to strengthen Solano County, Contra Costa County and the entire District.”
Labar joined the army in November 2000 as an infantryman, and has served in almost all infantry levels including, rifleman, Bradley gunner, team leader, squad leader and Bradley commander. He also served as a recruiter for two-and-a-half years.
Labar spent 6 years stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia where he had his first deployment to Kosovo. Upon his return, Labar's unit was part of the spearhead invasion of Iraq with the 1st battalion 30th infantry regiment. One year later, Ryan returned for another one-year deployment with the same battalion to Iraq.
After his second tour, Labar moved to a recruiting assignment and spend two and half years on recruiting duty before he was sent to Korea.
Due to injuries incurred in the military Labar was medically retired in November 2010 at the rank of Sergeant.
Labar is from Vacaville, California where he currently lives. He is married with one daughter.
“Veterans need to know that there are people out there that want to help, and understand what they have been through,” said Labar. “It's an honor for me to serve my fellow Veteran's in this position with Congressman Thompson.”
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
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