August 20, 2024 — Following the 2024 PEF Triennial Election, several top leadership roles have changed hands.
Bruce Giddings joins vice presidents Randi DiAntonio and Darlene Williams; Radhakrishna Mohan and Kelly Nadeau join trustee Muriel Hardy-Lee; and four new Regional Coordinators join the leadership ranks – Monica Moore (R4), Gabriela Franklyn (R9), Tamara Martin (R10) and Corinne Testa (R12).
Bruce Giddings, Vice President
Giddings was elected Vice President after serving three years as a PEF Trustee, where he conducted critical oversight of union policies, working in collaboration with his fellow trustees to ensure the union’s policies were sound and in the best interest of members.
Originally hired by New York State in 1988 as a principle drafting tech, Giddings is now an assistant electrical engineer at the state Department of Environmental Conservation. His work has taken him from Port Jefferson, Long Island, to Love Canal in Buffalo, to Plattsburgh and Cape Vincent in the north.
“I have enjoyed designing recreation projects and fish and wildlife projects in the Adirondacks and Catskill parks,” Giddings said. “Serving the public by building them new and renovated facilities motivates me.”
Giddings joined PEF in March 1988. He became a Steward for PEF Division 169 and then was elected Treasurer. He has held a seat on the PEF Executive Board for six years and served as Civil Service Committee co-chair; on labor/management and health and safety committees; and on the AFT Climate Task Force, AFT Greening Schools, and Workplaces Committee.
During the COVID pandemic, he provided members with information about telecommuting and ensured oversight of agency health and safety guidelines and protocols. As a vice president, he intends to work on projects and issues assigned by President Spence, always maintaining his core values of integrity, fairness and the ability to listen.
“It offers me new challenges, which inspires me to better serve the members I have represented and the new members I have yet to serve,” he said. “I know that I can help strengthen the mission and forward direction of our union.”
Being a union leader for more than two decades has been rewarding, Giddings said.
“I am proud of the continued years of service I offer to my colleagues and PEF siblings. I am proud to know that I have helped inform and direct members so they may proceed with their valuable work serving New Yorkers. But most of all, I am proud to be an example to my three sons,” Giddings said. “I hope they follow in their father’s footsteps and find joy in serving others.”
Giddings lives in Albany, where he is active in his community and a Deacon in his church.
Radhakrishna Mohan, Trustee
Addressing issues in the workplace is one of Radhakrishna Mohan’s top priorities as a PEF Trustee.
“I thought it is time to assume more responsibility to serve our members,” said Mohan, who has been a PEF member for more than 26 years. “It gives me a great zeal of enthusiasm to serve members, to help them in any way to address their issues.”
Mohan served as a steward, council leader, Executive Board member, co-chair of the Political Action Committee, current Chair of the Article 13 Workers’ Compensation Committee and, most recently, Region 10 Coordinator.
He also served on PEF’s Statewide IT Committee, a position he is uniquely suited for as an information technology specialist at the State Insurance Fund. He is also a founding member and president of PEF’s Indo-American Committee.
At the State Insurance Fund, Mohan developed an agency telecommuting policy long before the COVID-19 pandemic; advocated for cancer screening time off for women equivalent to the four hours afforded to men; and continues work on making sure fellow IT PEF members are fairly compensated for extra time worked.
“When I see something is not right, I would like to address that and find the best solution for those situations,” he said.
Kelly Nadeau, Trustee
Kelly Nadeau began her career with New York State in 2006 and became a PEF member in 2014. She worked her way up the Civil Service ladder from an entry-level position at grade 6 to her current positon as an Associate Accountant for the New York State Comptroller, grade 23.
Nadeau is responsible for preparing accurate and timely financial statements for the State of New York. She has proven experience in governmental accounting and auditing for fraud, waste, abuse, and misappropriation of state funds. Nadeau ensures compliance with established laws, policies, and standards.
While raising a family and working full time, Nadeau achieved her Bachelor of Science in Business, Management and Economics with a concentration in Human Resources along with additional credits in accounting and auditing.
It was not until 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, that she had a strong desire to participate in union leadership. Nadeau wanted to become more involved in the union by having her voice heard and taking a stand on issues that matter to all PEF members — including a better work/life balance (telecommuting), better wages and benefits, safe workplaces, and equality for all members. She aspires to empower young members and ensure positive changes are made for future generations to come.
Nadeau holds many elected and appointed leadership positions in PEF: Steward and Treasurer for Division 263, Executive Board member, and Region 8 Treasurer. She remains active on several committees including Labor Management, Grievance, EAP, and is a credentialed member of the Political Action Committee.
“As Trustee, I will leverage my knowledge and experience in government oversight and will remain as the eyes, ears, and voice of all PEF members,” Nadeau said. “I will impartially uphold my constitutional duty as Trustee to report on all matters related to the fair and equitable discharge of union power on members’ behalf.”
Monica Moore, Region 4 Coordinator
Moore has held multiple positions within PEF Division 304 (OPWDD Central New York DDSO), serving as council leader, treasurer and secretary. She has also served on the PEF Executive Board, and sits on several committees, including OPWDD Labor Management, local Labor Management, Health and Safety, Safe Patient Handling, Workplace Violence and is the co-chair of the EAP Committee.
Moore has attended every PEF Convention since 2010 as a delegate. She is also an active member of the Greater Syracuse Labor Council and the Region 4 Women’s Committee. She works for OPWDD as a Social Worker Assistant 2, having started her career with the agency in 1987.
Moore fosters positive relationships with families, individuals, voluntary agencies, care managers and leadership. Her dedication to serving others has always been a priority and has been demonstrated throughout her career. Moore is a leader with proven performance, integrity, and dedication. She is excited to meet and engage with all members in Region 4 and focused on making sure they have a strong and active voice in their union.
Gabriela Franklyn, Region 9 Coordinator
Gabriela Franklyn was elected Region 9 Coordinator in June 2024 and took office on August 1. She is looking forward to getting to know all the members in Region 9 she hasn’t yet met and working together to empower her union siblings.
She is a parole officer with the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision based in New Rochelle. During her 30 years in State service, she has also worked as a case worker and a probation officer.
For PEF, Franklyn serves as the Assistant Council Leader of Division 236. Since it is a statewide division, she assisted in establishing productive Labor-Management and Health and Safety Committees throughout the State. She also serves on the Hudson Valley Labor Federation as a PEF delegate.
Her priorities for Region 9 include maintaining safe workplaces for all and increasing the wellness of PEF members. She is fully committed to empowering members through advocacy and reliable leadership. Any PEF member wishing to become more involved in Region 9 is encouraged to contact her.
Tamara Martin, Region 10 Coordinator
Tamara Martin took office as Region 10 Coordinator on Aug. 1, 2024.
She is a Legal Assistant II at the New York State Attorney General’s Office in Manhattan and the Council Leader of PEF Division 187.
She is a fierce advocate and organizer and also serves as a steward helping her union siblings navigate all things PEF. She sits on the local Health & Safety Committee, is the Chair of the Statewide Labor/Management Committee, Co-Chair for Region 10’s Political Action Committee (PAC) and Assistant Chair of the Joint Affirmative Action Advisory Committee.
She negotiated the current statewide telecommuting agreement for the Law Department, which has been used as a template for telecommuting agreements at other state agencies.
She works with PEF’s Political Director and other members of the region’s PAC to engage elected officials on PEF’s budget priorities and other issues that affect PEF members.
While attending the Union Leadership Institute at Cornell, she streamlined the complaint/review process for discrimination cases filed by PEF members and created the form that PEF members currently use to file discrimination complaints.
Martin has a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management and a Master’s in Public Administration.
Corinne Testa, Region 12 Coordinator
Corinne Testa is an assistant engineer with the Department of Transportation and a lifelong resident of Long Island. An alumna of Stony Brook University who lives in Nassau County, she is the Vice President of the American Society of Civil Engineers Younger Members Committee, as well as the recipient of the 2024 Young Government Engineer of the Year Award.
As Region 12 Coordinator, Testa aims to advocate for cost-of-living adjustments, increased communication, and more member engagement across Region 12. Enthusiastic about change with experience in leading and organizing, she is ready to use her voice to be a strong advocate for all public employees working on Long Island from western Nassau to eastern Suffolk.
In addition to the issues of Long Islanders at large, she is acutely aware of younger members’ needs. A member of Tier 6, she hopes to push for continued improvements to the State pension plan, such as a decreased minimum retirement age, standardized flat percentage contributions, and halting employee contributions after a set number of years.
Editor’s Note: Members wishing to contact any PEF regional office may visit this page for contact information.