PEF Division 357 Information Portal
Division 357 Leadership
Check out the PEF Elections page for information on current elections: www.pef.org/elections.
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Officers
-Council Leader: Christopher J. Ford
-Assistant Council Leader: “Vacant”
-Secretary: Heather Craven
-Treasurer: Andy Michela
-Lilani Asmara, Assistant Secretary
Executive Board
-Seat 172: George Howard
-Seat 173: Brandon Hill
-Seat 174: Andy Michela
-Seat 175: Mario Chiarello
-Seat 176: Heather Craven
-Seat 177: Biswajit Datta
Election information is at www.pef.org/elections.
Committees
-Council Leader: Christopher Ford
-Assistant Council Leader: “Vacant”
-Secretary: Heather Craven
-Treasurer: Andy Michela
-Assistant Secretary: Lilani Asmari
-Executive Board: Biswajit Datta, Heather Craven, Brandon Hill, Mario Chiarello, Andy Michela, George Howard.
-PAC Representatives: Christopher Ford, Prakash Lal, Brandon Hill.
-Workplace Violence Prevention: Brandon Hill
-Grievance: Heather Craven
-Civil Service:
-Quality of Work Life (QWL): Claudia Gomez
-Leadership Advisory: Mario Chiarello
-EAP: Mario Chiarello
-Health & Safety: Prakash Lal
-Membership: Michael Tracy-Ireland
-Labor-Management: Ron O’Bryan
-Communications: Traci Scalzo
-Events: Sarina Dayter
-Scholarships: Tony LaPointe
-Audit: Open
-Finance/Budget: Open
NY HELPS Survey and Useful Language
A note from Veronica Foley, Director, Civil Service Enforcement/Research, New York State Public Employees Federation, AFL-CIO
October 1st, 2025, a NY HELPS related survey went out to the membership. The survey’s goal is to collect data on our members’ career mobility concerns and their experiences with the program. The information we collect will inform our conversations with the membership and leaders, The Department of Civil Service, legislators, and other unions.
The survey has a section for comment and members should be directed to memorialize their concerns there.
Regarding concerns that PEF is ostracizing NY HELPS hires, I recommend the following language for your conversations in the field:
PEF is glad for existing members who gained career mobility options through NY HELPS and for those who are first time members because of it but the program was always meant to be temporary. Years of underfunding and disregard on the part of the State made the existing merit-based appointment system obsolete and it in turn was blamed for the dysfunction.
Waiving examinations was a decision made by state leadership during a crisis, it was never meant to be the norm. Our constitution dictates that civil service appointment must be made via competitive examination. This is a control against cronyism and was written after the chaos of the late industrial age when civil service positions became little more than political patronage jobs.
If you protect civil servants, you protect public services regardless of who holds power in NY State government.
Additionally, more information on why we opposed the recent extension of NY HELPS and why we have concerns regarding the State’s new transformation plan can be found here.
Login for the latest news, updates, and events from PEF Division 357. Including Steward Meeting Minutes and the Division 357 Newsletters.
Exams for the ITS Series, Project Manager Series, and Business Analyst Series of promotional exams are tentatively scheduled. Check out our Training and Education Page for more details.
Member Resources
NOTE: Once logged in, select Account in the main menu for members-only content.
PEF Website (Public with Members Section)
PEF Facebook Page (Public)
D357 Facebook Page (Public)
D357 Facebook Group (Members Only)
D357 Facebook Group (Stewards Only)
D357 Twitter (Public)
Register Your Personal Email: This will allow the Division to contact you regarding Division events and news.
D357 ITS Calendar
Division 357 Steward Council Meetings
Steward Council meetings are at PEF Headquarters. All meetings start at 6:00pm with food and arrival at 5:30pm. To attend please send a request to secretary@pefd357its.org and note whether you want to attend by zoom or in person.
Membership Benefits Update
Information is available for the following programs. Check the GOER page for Programs for PEF-Represented Employees
College Tuition Reimbursement (CTR) and Nurses' Enhanced College Tuition Reimbursement (NECTR)
Workshop and Seminar Reimbursement (WSR) Program and Nurses’ Enhanced Workshop and Seminar Reimbursement (NEWSR) Program
Certification and Licensure Exam Fee Reimbursement (CLEFR) Program
Certification and License Renewal Fee Reimbursement (CLRFR) Program
Members can view specific content, register for events, engage the Division leadership and other members, and request assistance.