Bebo
ALBANY — The CSEA Board of Directors recently elected Richard Bebo as our union’s Executive Vice President.
“I have always felt it is the role of the statewide officers to support the incredible leaders and members of CSEA,” said Bebo. “I’m excited that I will be able to continue doing that in my new role as Executive Vice President.”
Bebo fills a vacancy created by the retirement of our union’s previous Executive Vice President. As directed by the CSEA Constitution, the Executive Vice President vacancy must be filled by one of the remaining statewide officers through an election by the Board of Directors.
Bebo started with the New York State Department of Transportation in 1999. He began his path of activism in 2006 when he was appointed Vice President of his local. He would serve in various roles in the organization including President of his DOT local, 3rd Vice President of the Capital Region and Executive Vice President of the Capital Region before being elected to serve as the Statewide Secretary in February 2020.
In 2009, Bebo completed the LEAD program, furthering his dedication to becoming a strong activist for CSEA. In 2019, he was awarded the Capital Region President’s award for his dedicated service to the members of his region. He has also been awarded the Jim Bell Award by CBTU for his commitment to labor.
He has served on numerous region and statewide committees which align with his strong beliefs in human rights, social justice and dignified treatment of not just working people but all people. He has served as officer liaison to the Statewide Minority Issues Committee, Resolutions Committee, Constitution and By-Laws Committee and Statewide LGBTQ+ Committee.
“All people deserve to be treated equally,” said Bebo. “In terms of labor, we’re in a wonderful position to ensure first and foremost this happens in the workplace. When we secure and protect equal rights in the workplace, we strengthen every one of us.”
Bebo is looking forward to working directly with leaders in his new role as he did in his old one.
“It is so important for our leaders to have the skills they need to best represent and lead our members and I take my responsibility in preparing them for that very seriously regardless of what position I hold,” said Bebo.
Bebo is a proud father and grandfather, which provides much of the motivation for him to be the activist he has become.
“It’s simple. Fight hard so hopefully they won’t have to,”said Bebo.
— Mathew L. Cantore
