Union Leaders
President
Joshua Pechthalt, a teacher in Los Angeles, was elected CFT President in March 2011 after serving as a CFT Vice President and president of the largest AFT local union in California, United Teachers Los Angeles, Local 1021. Pechthalt has worked to build alliances of education unions, social service and healthcare providers, and community-based organizations.
Secretary Treasurer
Jeffery M. Freitas, a credentialed secondary math teacher currently serves as CFT Secretary Treasurer. He has advocated on behalf of members for more than a decade as president of the Carpinteria Association of United School Employees, AFT Local 2216, and as a field representative and lobbyist for the CFT.
Senior Vice President
L. Lacy Barnes, an instructor of psychology at Reedley College is the Senior Vice President of CFT. Barnes, who holds a Ph.D, is also president of the State Center Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 1533, representing faculty at Reedley and Fresno City Colleges in the Central Valley.
AFT Vice Presidents
Every two years, delegates to the AFT Convention elect officers of the national union. Two leaders represent California as Vice Presidents on the AFT Executive Council.
President, United Teachers Los Angeles, AFT Local 1021
Alex Caputo-Pearl
CFT President
Josh Pechthalt
Division Council Leaders
Experienced educators lead each of the five CFT division councils. Representatives from constituent local unions of each division elect their council leaders in biennial elections.