About NLRB

Cornele A. Overstreet was appointed Regional Director of the Phoenix Office (Region 28) in 1996.  Mr. Overstreet began his NLRB career in 1978 as a Field Attorney in the Indianapolis Regional Office.  He transferred to the Las Vegas resident office in 1988. A native of Chicago, Mr. Overstreet received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin (Madison), where he majored in French.  He received his Master’s degree in French Literature at the University of Illinois (Champaign) in 1975, and his J.D. degree from the same university in 1978.

In 2016, Paula S. Sawyer was appointed to serve as the Regional Director in the Region 27 Office in Denver. A career NLRB employee, Ms. Sawyer has been serving as Regional Attorney in Region 5. 

Patricia Nachand was named Regional Director for the Region 25 Office in Indianapolis in March 2016. A native of the Indianapolis, Indiana area, Ms. Nachand received her B.S. and M.B.A. degrees from the University of Indianapolis in 1983 and 1997, respectively. She began her Field Examiner career in the Indianapolis office in 1981 after first working for the Agency as a receptionist, stenographer, and labor-management relations aide while attending college at night.

William B. Cowen was appointed Regional Director of the Los Angeles Regional Office (Region 21) in 2016.  Mr. Cowen began his NLRB career in 1979 and served in various capacities throughout the Agency at both Headquarters and in the field until he left to enter private practice in 1985. Mr. Cowen was later appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as a Board Member from January 22, 2002 to November 22, 2002. He then acted as Executive Assistant (Chief of Staff) to NLRB Chairman Robert J. Battista. From 2006 to 2016, Mr. Cowen served as the Board’s Solicitor. Mr.

Jennifer A. Hadsall was appointed Regional Director of the NLRB's Regional Office in Minneapolis, MN (Region 18) in 2017. She began her career with the NLRB in 2003 as a Field Examiner in Region 18. In 2010, she relocated to Des Moines after her promotion to Resident Officer. In 2013, Ms. Hadsall was appointed as the Assistant to the Regional Director and returned to the Minneapolis Regional Office to serve in that role in 2015. A native of Minneapolis, Ms. Hadsall earned her B.A.

Timothy L. Watson was appointed Regional Director of the NLRB’s Regional Office in Fort Worth, Texas (Region 16) in 2017. He began his career with the NLRB in 1988 as a Field Attorney in Region 16. In 1999, he was promoted to Deputy Regional Attorney in Region 16. In 2006, Mr. Watson was appointed the Regional Attorney in Region 16. In his capacity as Regional Attorney, Mr. Watson served as Region 16’s chief legal counsel.

Kathleen McKinney was appointed Regional Director of the New Orleans Regional Office (Region 15) in 2008.  Ms. McKinney began her NLRB career in 1990 as a Field Attorney in Region 15.  In 2000, she was appointed Deputy Regional Attorney, in 2003, she was appointed Regional Attorney and in 2006 she was appointed Deputy Director of the same office.

William B. Cowen was appointed Regional Director of the Los Angeles Regional Office (Region 21) in 2016.  Mr. Cowen began his NLRB career in 1979 and served in various capacities throughout the Agency at both Headquarters and in the field until he left to enter private practice in 1985. Mr. Cowen was later appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as a Board Member from January 22, 2002 to November 22, 2002. He then acted as Executive Assistant (Chief of Staff) to NLRB Chairman Robert J. Battista. From 2006 to 2016, Mr. Cowen served as the Board’s Solicitor. Mr.