Since 2009, Liz Moran has served as your CSEA Local 698 President. With over 24 years of service @ DASNY, she began her journey in 1999 as a consultant with Empire State College placed at DASNY with the charge to develop and implement a training initiative. In January 2000, Liz took a full-time position and has since risen a few rungs to become, in 2019, the Senior Training Specialist.

For about the first 15 years at DASNY, Liz delivered training all over the state providing training services to the then nearly 650 DASNY employees, as well as delivering training for the NYS Governor’s Office of Employee Relations. Today, she continues to manage the training function at DASNY, with the Construction Division being her primary customer base. Among delivering training, Liz coordinates training and educational programs, designs and develops training, manages DASNY University, develops WalkMe for PMWeb, and is a point person on the PMWeb implementation. Additionally, she provides coaching and guidance to staff.

Liz enjoys being active within the union community having served on the CSEA Statewide Board of Directors representing NYS Authorities and a liaison to the Albany County Federation of Labor. Liz has served as the NYS President of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), National Board Member of CLUW, and as the President of the Capital District CLUW chapter. It’s not hard to see that she enjoys serving others. Liz has enjoyed volunteering for her church in a variety of roles.

When the spring, summer, and fall months are upon us, you can find Liz in her backyard gardening. She and her husband, David, have raised five girls, and now enjoy three granddaughters and a grandson. One of her greatest joys is her dogs, Benson, Claire, and Doug (everybody loves Doug).

Why did Liz choose to serve Local 698 members? “I got mad. In 2009, I did not like the representation my colleagues in Local 698 were getting. I knew that we all deserved better. So, I ran, and I won. I knew that if I wanted change, I had to be the change agent. I work every day to help members address issues they face in the workplace. It is a tiring job, but not a thankless one. Members are quick to offer thanks and appreciation. Nothing is more rewarding than bringing folks relief, peace of mind, and a whole lot of tenacity!”

Jim Sullivan is the 1st Vice President of CSEA Local 698. He is a NYS licensed professional engineer working in the Downstate Design department in the Construction Division. He is responsible for the design phase management and technical review of projects in the downstate region.  Jim has been with DASNY for seven years, and prior to joining was a consulting engineer in the private sector for over fifteen years.  Jim earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Manhattan College.

As an officer, Jim travels the State quite a bit, living in Region 3 (Putnam County), working in Region 2 (NYC), and frequenting Region 4 (Capital Region).  He is active in his local Catholic Church as a lector and eucharistic minister, as a minister to the homebound and those in institutions, and is also a member of his parish’s Knights of Columbus. Jim enjoys traveling, hiking, bicycling, and reading.

Jim was appointed in a special election in 2018 as 1st Vice President and was re-elected in 2021 and continues serving as 1st Vice President today.  I chose to serve for several reasons – being an officer allows me to meet co-workers and other union activists from across the state, allows me to be of service to others and gives me an opportunity to grow personally and give back what was so freely given to me.  I have an appreciation for what our union has won for us as I know what it’s like to beg, borrow and plead in the private sector. 

I have worked at DASNY for 20 years, January 2025.  I started my career as a Finance Clerk in the Financial Operations unit in 2005.  Then transferred to the Financial Management Unit holding the same title.  After graduating from Siena College in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, I was later promoted to Accountant.  My current position is Accountant II within the Financial Management Unit (Accounting)

I strive to help others who need a helping hand. I volunteer within my church helping with the food drive and other events.  As a person who finds comfort in baking, I volunteer for church fund raising events which not only raise funds, but also awareness for the community.  It is also a place to socialize and meet others in my community.

I served on the CSEA audit committee 2014 – 2023 and the scholarship committee 2014 – 2024. I look forward to being a part of this devoted CSEA Local 698 team, please feel free to reach out to me as I will do my best to help.

Michelle Rigney is the 3rd Vice President of CSEA Local 698. She has been with DASNY for 20 years working in the Construction Division for her entire career. Michelle recently graduated with an Associates degree in Business Management using the AFSCME’s free degree program. Two years of night school was worth it! She has lived in the Capital District her entire life raising three kids. And now, her children are raising children of their own. One of Michelle’s favorite things is to work on my house.  I have taken down walls, epoxied a concrete countertop and rebuilt two new closets.  

Michelle was elected in 2013 as the Secretary. She chose to serve because she wanted to see what the union did from inside the organization. She served in this position for 8 years. She stepped away from the position to allow for someone else to get the experience I did. Michelle continued to serve the union as a Shop Steward, but she missed being part of the board. A vacancy became available on the board, and Michelle was invited to take the position of 3rd Vice President. Michelle wanted to work on the scholarship program and other duties as needed.  “I think everyone should get involved in being on the board, joining a committee or being a shop steward, it is a valuable lesson in how the union works for you”. 

Kelly M. Cooper is the Treasurer for CSEA Local 698. She is a NYS licensed CPA and has a Masters degree in Accounting from the College of Saint Rose. She has been working for DASNY since 2006 in the Financial Management Unit and is responsible for coordinating client audit confirmation responses for Public Programs (CUNY, SUNY and Upstate CC) as well as preparing financial statements, footnotes, schedules and supporting documentation for DASNY’s annual audit.

Kelly began her involvement with CSEA Local 698 in 2009 as a shop steward and served in that role until recently elected to the Treasurer position. She chose to continue to serve because she wanted to support the Local leadership that has fought for her. The Local has a history of supporting members beyond the contract language, supporting and defending members when they need it most. Kelly enjoys working with people who care about the welfare of others and believes the Local does just that, including negotiating for good wages and benefits.

Outside of DASNY and CSEA, Kelly enjoys spending time with her husband, Darren, and their three children. She enjoys yoga, walking on wooded trails and rides her motorcycle whenever she gets the chance.

Jason Wiatr is the Secretary of CSEA Local 698. Jason his career with DASNY in late 2005 as an Office Assistant at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn (Downstate Construction). After being transferred to Brooklyn College, Jason’s hard work paid off as he was promoted to Assistant Project Manager. He promoted again to Field Representative. While an APM, Jason took advantage of the tuition/training assistance program at DASNY to get a Certificate in Construction Project Management through Fordham University. 

Jason has lived in NYC his entire life, born in Brooklyn and now living in Manhattan. He received a Bachelor’s degree at Hunter College of CUNY. During his down time, you can probably find Jason and his wife walking their dog or may see him bicycling through Central Park. Married since 2007, his wife has supported and encouraged Jason’s work efforts which has helped him to make advancements while with DASNY.

When the position became vacant, Jason was appointment as the Secretary to the Local. Jason chose to serve to learn more about how we, the members, are represented. Jason has always believed that unions are the best way to hold companies accountable and being on the inside has only confirmed this thought. Jason has committed to always fighting for the rights of his union brethren to ensure that we are all treated fairly by management.

Eric Muldoon has worked for CSEA for 25 years.  He began his career with CSEA as a Labor Education Specialist in CSEA’s Education Department, and moved to his current role as a Labor Relations Specialist (LRS) in 2011. The role of a CSEA Labor Relations Specialist is to provide support, expertise and guidance to the Local/Unit President when labor issues arise. The LRS acts as the Chief Spokesperson during contract negotiations.

Eric holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Villanova University and a Master’s Degree from George Mason University in Organizational Development and Knowledge Management.  He has been active in his staff unions in a variety of roles, and currently serves as the Region 4 representative to the Field Staff Association.

Eric believes that strong unions are the best way to make sure working people have the voice they need in the workplace.  He has dedicated his career to ensuring that CSEA is as strong as possible.