Gay Henson
Secretary-Treasurer

Gay Henson was elected IFPTE Secretary-Treasurer in August 2021 at the union’s 60th Convention. Before that, Gay served on the IFPTE Executive Council as Eastern Federal Area VP since 2012, representing U.S. federal workers east of the Mississippi and focusing on the many issues facing these dedicated public servants.

Gay’s local union is the Engineering Association (EA) - IFPTE local 1937). The EA represents ~2500 white collar workers at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). She served as the EA President from 2005-2022. The EA membership includes engineers, scientist, technicians, IT professionals, program administrators and operation support specialists. TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider serving 10 million people. Her leadership of the EA has included successfully campaigning to stop the outsourcing and privatization of 220 TVA IT workers’ jobs during the pandemic by engaging community partners and labor support.

At TVA, Gay is employed in work management at the Sequoyah Nuclear Station as a Project Control Specialist. Her TVA career includes many years as a Health Physicist providing radiation protection to workers, the environment and the public.

Henson, studied at Oak Ridge Associated University (ORAU) were she received certification in Applied Health Physics. Graduating from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a BS degree, she currently resides in Chattanooga, TN with her husband Maurice.

John Dimas
SPEEA Area VP

John Dimas currently sits on SPEEA’s Executive Board as a Northwest Vice-President. He served as a Council Representative (Shop Steward) from 2015-2021.

Dimas became a Council Representative because he was curious about his union and wanted to learn how to be an activist.  Dimas has been involved in various committees ranging from Governing Documents, Legislative & Public Affairs, Leadership & Development Training, and Joint Committees  This experience ins his local’s governance and meetings with the employer has been instrumental in helping  determining member’s needs and communicating that with the employer.

Dimas, currently working in Technical Integration, began his career with in Aerospace with The Boeing Company in 2005.  The bulk of Dimas’s career was working Electrical Wire Installation, helping to design how electrical wires are installed in various aircraft.  Dimas has worked on 747, 767, and 777 aircraft.

Dimas was born and raised in the Midwest, specifically in Northern Illinois, about 90 minutes northwest of Chicago. Dimas has a bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb Illinois.  He also holds a master’s degree in Digital Audiences from Arizona State University.

Dimas enjoys watching documentaries and volunteering in his free time.  His family includes his wife Donna, two children, and one grandchild.  He also sits on the board of directors of a local non-profit that provides both an activity program and housing for adults with developmental disabilities.

Benjamin Emmel
Eastern Federal Area VP

Benjamin Emmel was appointed Eastern Federal Area Vice President by IFPTE's Executive Council in March 2024. 

Benjamin currently serves as President of the GAO Employees Organization (GAO/IFPTE Local 1921), which represents nearly 2,500 analysts, auditors, technical specialists, and support staff at the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). Soon after joining GAO in 2015, Benjamin began his union career as an elected representative for probationary employees and took on positions of increasing responsibility, including serving on the Local's Bargaining Committee since 2017, as Vice President for Membership from 2020 to 2022, and attending the 2018 and 2021 IFPTE Conventions as an elected delegate. 

Professionally, Benjamin is a senior analyst at GAO, where his team conducts audits and investigations supporting Congressional oversight of the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in theology from Seton Hall University and Master of Public Affairs degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Benjamin resides in Prince George’s County, Maryland with his wife and four daughters. In his spare time, Benjamin serves on the board of a local non-profit engaged in community emergency response and promoting amateur radio.

Frances Hsieh
Western Area VP

Frances is the Vice President for Legislative & Political Action for IFPTE Local 21, overseeing and coordinating the political and legislative advocacy work in San Francisco, the East Bay, and South Bay and on statewide issues and candidates.. She was previously the Chairperson of Local 21’s San Francisco Political Action Committee. She is also the founding co-chair of the Local 21 API-Caucus, and a delegate to the San Francisco Central Labor Council.

Frances has over 20 years of experience in advocacy, politics, and government affairs. She is currently a Legislative Aide for Connie Chan, Member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, and oversees the office’s work on government accountability, labor issues, immigration policies, public safety, and staffs the Supervisor on the Government Audits Committee and Health Services Board. Previously, she was the senior policy analyst for San Francisco’s Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs, where she implemented and enforced the City’s strongest-in-the-nation Language Access Ordinance.

Frances is also involved in local political and community advocacy work. She has previously served as an elected member on the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee, which is the governing body of the Democratic Party in San Francisco. She is an active member of the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, fighting for more progressive candidates and policies to benefit the most marginalized communities in San Francisco; Comrades, Compas, Kasamas, and Tong Pao of D11, organizing working class families and communities of color in San Francisco’s southernmost neighborhoods; and a former Board member of the San Francisco Women’s Political Committee, helping to promote women and family friendly policies and elect more female candidates to public office.

A native San Franciscan, Frances and her wife, Maritza, have raised their two children in the Excelsior District.

Michelle Johnston
Canadian Area VP

Michelle Johnston is an IFPTE Canadian Area Vice President and the President of Ontario-based IFPTE Local 160, the Society of United Professionals.

A proud Metis woman from Timmins, Ontario, Ms. Johnston has burst through glass ceilings throughout her more than 30 years in Ontario’s energy sector. Beginning in forestry as a summer student, Ms. Johnston moved on to customer service roles before being recruited to Ontario Hydro’s head office. Prior to becoming an elected union leader, Ms. Johnston worked in IT as a Senior Business Process Analyst at Hydro One.

Ms. Johnston became a union activist during the Society’s 105-day strike of Hydro One in 2005. Organizing her colleagues to fight back against two-tier pensions and benefits was an empowering experience that motivated Ms. Johnston to join the Society’s elected leadership.

Prior to becoming President in 2021, Ms. Johnston served as Secretary-Treasurer. In the Secretary-Treasurer role Ms. Johnston maintained the union’s strong financial position and led successful organizing campaigns to grow the Society’s membership. Ms. Johnston has also served the Society as Executive Vice President of Policy and Unit Director in the Society’s Hydro One Local.

As part of her role Ms. Johnston holds a number of external offices. She is a member of the Canadian Labour Congress’s Canadian Council, a member of the United Way of Greater Toronto Executive Board, and a director of the Ontario Federation of Labour, Canadian Nuclear Association, and Electricity Human Resources Canada.

Ms. Johnston holds an Honours BA in Psychology with a double minor in Sociology and Social Work from Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario.

Having beat an aggressive form of breast cancer with the support of Ontario’s health care system and her family, in her spare time Ms. Johnston dedicates her efforts to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada and the CIBC Run for the Cure.

Richard Mahe
Canadian Area VP

Richard Mahe is an IFPTE Canadian Area Vice President and the president of the Winnipeg Association of Public Service Officers (WAPSO/IFPTE Local 162). WAPSO is located on the original lands of Anishinaabeg, Ininew, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the traditional homeland of the Métis Nation. We acknowledge that our water is sourced from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation.

Richard was first elected to his local’s board in 2015 and has since been actively involved in different committees and board positions. First elected as president in 2017, Richard is now serving his second term. Richard’s local represents over 800 civic professionals including engineers, accountants, city planners, and other professionals of the Winnipeg public service who have dedicated their careers to ensuring that Winnipeg is a vibrant and flourishing city.

Richard joined the Board of WAPSO to advance the interests of its members and to help lead the organization to play a more active role in the labour community. Under his leadership, WAPSO is now an active member of the Winnipeg Labour Council and the Manitoba Federal of Labour.

Richard received his masters of City Planning from the University of Manitoba in 2010. His expertise includes land use and transportation policy and urban design. Richard’s experience working in government, the private sector, and the public sector, has given him unique insight into politics and labour relations at the local and provincial level.

Richard is a proud franco-manitoban who is active in his community, including having served as president of a local francophone artist-run centre. His family includes his wife Kim, and his two sons Félix and Samuel.

Sean McBride
Atlantic Area VP

Sean comes from a strong Labor family following the lead of his father and grandfathers throughout organized labor.

Sean started his career with IFPTE in 1987 becoming a member of IFPTE Local 196 then moving through various Local 196 leadership positions.

Sean is proud to serve as President of the Garden State Parkway Employees organization, President of IFPTE Local 196 representing many authorities, counties and municipalities throughout New Jersey while also representing IFPTE in the Atlantic Area and working closely with the NJ State AFL-CIO.

He is most proud of his family His son Sean Jr., and daughters Kelly and Kelsey.

A life long resident of Locust, NJ, McBride is also committed to community service working with various charitable organizations, and continues to be an active Firefighter/EMT for over 35 years achieving the rank of Captain in 2017.

Steve Pinto
Atlantic Area VP

Steve was appointed Atlantic Area Vice President at the Spring Executive Council Meeting in May of 2023.

His 37 year career with the State of New Jersey began in 1980 as a staff mechanic trainee at Kean University in the Facilities and Maintenance department. Steve didn’t come from a family of union members and, in sharp contrast to their non-union experiences, quickly learned the importance and benefit of fair employee representation. Accordingly, Steve became an active participant in IFPTE Local 195’s Kean chapter meetings and events very early on. He was elected Chapter Treasurer in the mid 1990’s and continued in this role until he was appointed Chapter President in 2001 by Local President Dominick Critelli Jr. After being duly elected, Steve served continuously as Chapter President until 2017. During these years, he held several Local level positions including Presidential Assistant, Election Committee Chair and Local Trustee. In early 2017, Local 195’s Executive Board approved his appointment as a staff organizer and he began working full time for the Local.

In addition to ongoing duties as an organizer, Steve currently serves as Local 195 Trustee Chair, an elected position with the responsibility of reviewing complex member issues. His daily responsibilities also include working directly with members in need of assistance. For instance, he is a proactive liaison between the membership and various state offices, including state human resource and payroll departments, state police, DEP, transportation and various universities and colleges, among others.  

Steve has completed a number of labor education courses and is a graduate of the Union Leadership Academy at Rutgers University. 

Steve resides in Manalapan NJ with Donna, his wife of 25 years. Steve’s happiest moments are spent with family, particularly with his five very active young grandchildren.

Denise Robinson
Northeastern Area VP

Denise Robinson currently serves as President of IFPTE Local 400 representing members at the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) and Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM). She is currently employed as an Engineering Technician IV at RIDOT.

While in Local 400, Denise has served as Correspondence Secretary, Steward, Unit Representative, Chief Steward, and Vice President. She has actively been attending the NE Council, serving as a delegate for Local 400, and currently is Vice President of the NE Council. Denise currently serves on the Executive Board of the RI AFL-CIO. She is also a member of the National Coalition of Labor Union Women and serves as a trustee on the Executive Board of the RI Chapter of Coalition of Labor Union Women, and the Women’s Solidarity Network (which she joined at the IFPTE 59th Convention).

In 1989 she began her career at the Rhode Island Department of Transportation. Upon her employment with RIDOT, she became active with Local 400. Denise’s union experience started back in 1980 as a recording secretary for Local 1293 AFSCME-Council 94 AFL-CIO; she moved through the ranks becoming a Steward and then Treasurer. She has been employed in union jobs for over 40 years.

Denise was born and raised in Rhode Island and now shares a home with her significant other, Paula, in Attleboro, Massachusetts. She has a daughter and three wonderful grandsons, she loves spending time with family and friends, and enjoys giving back to her community.

Jamie Uyeunten
Western Federal Area VP

Jamie Uyeunten was elected Western Regional Federal Vice President of IFPTE, AFL-CIO & CLC at the Union’s Executive Council meeting in August 2021.

Jamie is the President of IFPTE Local 121, a diverse union of more than 3,000 technical and professional bargaining unit members comprised of nine (9) units in seven (7) different agencies in Hawaii. These agencies include Navy agencies Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PHNSY & IMF), Naval Facilities (NAVFAC) Hawaii, NAVFAC Pacific, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA); as well as the Defense POW-MIA Accounting Agency.

Jamie became a member of IFPTE Local 121 in 2006. She served as interim Treasurer of IFPTE Local 121 from 2008 to 2010. Jamie continues to serve as President of IFPTE Local 121 from 2010 to present.

Jamie is a General Engineer at PHNSY & IMF. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Jamie is active in her local community and continues to serve as a vice president of the Hawaii State AFL-CIO. In addition, she has served as the Vice President and is currently Sergeant-at-Arms of the Hawaii Federal Employees Metal Trades Council.

Gus Vallejo
Western Area VP

A member of IFPTE Local 21’s IT Chapter, Gus has been employed by the City and County of San Francisco as a Principal Business Systems Analyst for over 21 years and serves as an Area Vice President for IFPTE’s Western Area.

Gus Vallejo also serves as President of IFPTE Local 21, having been elected to the position in 2017.

Previously, Gus served as San Francisco Vice President from 2013 to 2018, IT Chapter President from 2009 to 2013 and IT Chapter Vice President from 2007 to 2009.

Gus has been directly involved in the selection and hiring of IFPTE Local 21’s last two Executive Directors, having served on both the 2006 and 2018 Executive Director Search Committees.

A delegate to the San Francisco Labor Council, Gus has also been a delegate to every IFPTE International Convention from 2009 forward.

Gus has done volunteer work using his technology skills to help bridge the digital divide by assisting in  repurposing computers for student use in a low income inner city high school, setting up cyber security for the local offices of the Sierra Club and providing technology consulting to local non-profits in the Asian Pacific Islander and Latinx communities.