Page 13 - Work Force May 2025

14 The Work Force May 2025
ALBANY — The CSEA Board of
Directors elected two new Statewide
Officers at their April meeting to fill
vacancies as a result of the former
Executive Vice President retiring in
February.
The Board elected Richard Bebo
to the Executive Vice President
position. Bebo most recently served
as our union’s Statewide Secretary.
“Richard Bebo has been a trusted
friend and union brother for many
years,” said CSEA President Mary E.
Sullivan. “He’s someone who leads
with his heart, who listens and who
always puts our union members first.
I’ve seen firsthand his dedication,
and I know he’s going to bring
that same passion and integrity
to his new role as Executive Vice
President.”
As a result of the vacancy created
by the election of Bebo, the Board
elected Stacey Baldwin-Deyo as
Statewide Secretary. Baldwin-
Deyo has served in various CSEA
leadership roles, including currently
serving as treasurer of the CSEA
Greene County Local and treasurer of
CSEA’s Capital Region.
“Stacey Baldwin-Deyo is a
passionate leader who always steps
up for our union members,” said
Sullivan. “I’m so proud to welcome
her to this new role, and I know she’ll
continue to be a powerful advocate
for working people across our
union.”
The Work Force will feature
profiles of Bebo and Baldwin-Deyo in
an upcoming edition.
— Jill Asencio
CSEA Board of Directors
elect statewide officers
to fill vacancies
CSEA Executive Vice President Richard Bebo, CSEA President Mary E.
Sullivan and CSEA Statewide Secretary Stacey Baldwin-Deyo pose after
Sullivan swears them into office.
Her advice is simple,
“Never give up,” said Rumley. “If
you feel you can do it, you have to
prove yourself, keep going for it.”
Her promotion not only reflects
her personal perseverance but
also marks a broader step forward
for inclusivity in the district’s
operations. Rumley’s story stands
as a testament to resilience,
commitment, and the power of
persistence — qualities that will now
guide her as she leads the very team
she once fought to join.
— Sara McNicholas
ropes. She said she’s encouraged by
the dynamic of her team.
“I think everyone in the
department works well together.”
said Rumley.
Rumley brings a clear vision of
leadership to her new role.
“I want to be a leader, not a boss,”
said Rumley. “We’ve had a lot of
change, and I want to bring everyone
back together. I want us to feel like a
team again.”
She also said one of her favorite
aspects of the job is working
outdoors.
“I couldn’t see myself being
cooped up in an office all day,” said
Rumley.
As she takes on her new
responsibilities, Rumley said she
hopes her journey will inspire
other women to consider roles in
traditionally male-dominated fields.
WEST SENECA — Tracy Rumley,
1st vice president of the CSEA
West Seneca School District Unit, is
making history as the district’s first
female lead groundskeeper.
Rumley, who has worked at the
district for more than two decades,
started her career in 1999 as a bus
aide. She later became a bus driver
and continued to serve the district
while raising her family.
“My grandmother, aunt, uncle
and mother have all worked here,”
said Rumley. “I joined our union
right away. Once my kids were
grown, I wanted something full time,
so I applied for a groundskeeper
position.”
But the road to her new role
wasn’t easy. Rumley said she was
passed over three times just to be
on the crew, while other candidates
were hired from outside the district.
“It felt to me that they didn’t want
a woman on the crew at all,” said
Rumley.
When the opportunity came up
for the Lead Grounds Crew, Rumley
cautiously put her name in.
“I didn’t think it was going
to happen,” said Rumley of her
promotion. “Especially since being
turned down so many times for the
grounds crew.”
In her new position, Rumley is
stepping in during an important
seasonal transition. As winter fades,
her team is shifting focus from snow
removal to spring field maintenance.
“We’re getting the lacrosse fields
and the baseball diamonds ready,”
said Rumley. “There’s a lot of work to
be done.”
Though she hasn’t officially
started in the new role, Rumley is
currently shadowing and learning the
Rumley breaks ground as first female
lead groundskeeper at district
Rumley poses with a truck she uses
on the job.