Westchester/Fairfield Areas: Paul Ryan Appointed Assistant Business Manager

Paul Ryan
Assistant Business Manager

Business Manager Christopher Erikson, with the approval of the general membership at its December 2007 meeting, ­appointed Paul Ryan assistant business manager for construction for the Weschester County, N.Y. and Fairfield County, Conn. areas of Local 3’s jurisdiction.
In his remarks to the membership, Business Manager Erikson pointed out that the appointment is in no way a reflection upon the efforts of Assistant Business Manager Raymond Melville who has had responsibility for both the New York City and White Plains jurisdictions since the merger of ­Local 501 into Local 3 in 1993. “We are in a war for our jurisdiction” stated Erikson, “ and in a war there are times when a realignment of the troops is necessary. This realignment will permit Assistant Business Managers Melville and Ryan to concentrate their ­efforts and focus in on attending to the needs of their respective jurisdictions. We look forward to insuring a greater percentage of the available work will be performed by the ­members of Local 3 in their respective jurisdictions.”
Brother Ryan joined Local 501, IBEW in September 1973. He was initiated into the union in September 1974. He completed the “A” apprentice training program in 1977 and worked on many construction projects throughout Westchester County, N.Y. and Fairfield County, Connecticut as a journeyman, foreman and general foreman.
In July, 1991, he was appointed a business representative of Local 501. In 1992 he was appointed treasurer of Local 501 and held both positions until the merger of Local 501 into Local 3 in August, 1993. After the merger he continued to serve as a business representative representing the lower Westchester area.
He has served as trustee/alternate on ­Local 3 White Plains Pension/Welfare Fund and ­Security Benefit Funds until their merger into the Joint Industry Board administered funds. He also served as an alternate trustee on the Local 3 White Plains Savings and Investment (401 (k)) Plan and serves on the Westchester – Fairfield Apprenticeship ­Committee.
On September 8, 2004, he was elected president of the Westchester-Putnam AFL-CIO Central Labor Body and continues to serve as its president. Prior to being elected president, he served as the Body’s secretary/treasurer for five years and prior to that as one of its trustees. The Labor Body has 144 local union affiliates and represents 100,000 plus working men and women and their families in Westchester and Putnam counties in New York.
Paul has been a delegate to the national AFL-CIO’s 2001 Convention. He has represented Local 3 as an alternate delegate to the IBEW’s 35th Convention in Philadelphia in 1996, and the 36th Convention in San Francisco, CA. in 2001 and the 37th Convention in Cleveland, OH in 2006.
Assistant Business Manager Ryan serves as a labor representative on the Westchester-Putnam United Way Board of Directors and is a member of their Executive Committee. In 1999, Westchester County Executive ­Andrew Spano appointed him as a charter member of the Westchester Human Rights Commission. He serves as a Local 3 representative on the Yonkers Chamber of Commerce and since 1993 has served as a labor representative to the Yonkers Private Industry Council and Workforce Investment Boards.
He served eight years as a member of the Village of Buchanan Planning Board (1995-2003), including 1 ½ years as its Chairman. He is a veteran of the United States Army with service in Germany and Vietnam and is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Vietnam ­Veterans of America.