Union Leaders
President
Jeffery M. Freitas was elected CFT President in March 2019 after serving as CFT Secretary Treasurer for eight years. A credentialed secondary math teacher, Freitas has advocated on behalf of members and the education community for more than two decades as president of the Carpinteria Association of United School Employees, AFT Local 2216, and as a field representative and lobbyist for the CFT. Freitas also serves as a Vice President of the AFT and as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Federation of California Labor Unions. He is also a member of the Governor’s Council for Post-Secondary Education, and a board member of Equality California.
Secretary Treasurer
L. Lacy
Barnes, serves as CFT Secretary Treasurer. Prior to
this position, Barnes served as CFT Senior Vice President. Barnes
holds a doctorate and is an instructor of psychology at Madera
Community College; she is former president of the State Center
Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 1533, representing full-and
part-time faculty at Clovis Community, Fresno City, Madera
Community, and Reedley Colleges in the Central Valley.
Executive Vice President
Juan Ramirez serves as CFT’s Executive Vice President. Prior to this position, Ramirez served as UTLA’s AFT Vice President. Ramirez has 24 years of teaching experience in kindergarten and grades second through fourth. He also taught adult education for nine years.
Vice Presidents
The vice presidents typically hold leadership positions in their local unions, and together they represent the broad spectrum of educators and support staff represented by the CFT.
Division Council Leaders
Experienced educators lead each of the CFT’s five division councils. Representatives from constituent local unions of each division elect their council leaders in biennial elections.
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EC/TK-12 COUNCILSteve McDougall is president of CFT’s Early Childhood/TK Council 12th-grade education division council of locals. He is a rank and file member of the Salinas Valley Federation of Teachers Local 1020 and has served in numerous leadership roles since 2006, including local president and chief negotiator. |
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COUNCIL OF CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEESCarl Williams is president of the Council of Classified Employees, the division representing paraprofessionals and support staff. Williams leads the Lawndale Federation of Classified Employees, AFT Local 4529, representing staff at in the Lawndale Elementary School District, where he works as a custodian. |
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COMMUNITY COLLEGE COUNCILJim Mahler is president of the Community College Council and leader of the AFT Guild, Local 1931. He serves on the executive board of the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council and teaches engineering, math and physics in the San Diego Community College District. |
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UNIVERSITIES COUNCILKatie Rodger is president of the CFT Universities Council. |
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COUNCIL OF RETIRED MEMBERSDennis Cox is president of the CFT Council of Retired Members |
AFT Vice Presidents
Delegates to the biennial AFT Convention elect officers of our national union. Three CFT leaders represent California as vice presidents on the AFT Executive Council.
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Jeffery M. Freitas |
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Juan Ramirez |
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Carl Williams |