.jpg)
|
|
|
Charles Wowkanech is the president of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO, first elected by the New Jersey State AFL-CIO Executive Board to the position in 1997. Prior to his election as president, Wowkanech served two years as secretary-treasurer, the number two position of the state's largest labor organization, and six years as assistant to the president. He is a graduate of the AFL-CIO's George Meany Institute in Washington, D.C. where he received training on labor law and grievance arbitration. As part of his role as principal lobbyist for New Jersey's labor movement, Wowkanech has focused on expanding the voice of unions in electoral campaigns. He has expanded the NJ AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education Department (COPE), created an innovative "worker/voter" registration program designed to register union members to vote at their worksites. Wowkanech launched a Labor Candidates Program for the AFL-CIO which now leads the nation with nearly 400 union members elected to office. He also started an innovative Labor Candidates School which motivates, identifies, trains, and acts as a resource for rank-and-file union members considering running for public office. Over the years, numerous state and national organizations have recognized Charlie for his work and achievements on behalf of the labor movement. New Jersey Monthly Magazine included him as No. 11 on its list of the "25 Most Powerful People in New Jersey" and PoliticsNJ, New Jersey's premiere website for political news, listed him as one of the state's top five most politically influential personalities. Charlie Wowkanech is married to the former LuAnn Mercadante of Elmwood Park, New Jersey. They reside in Ocean City, New Jersey and are the proud parents of two children, Charles and Michael.
|
|
Back
to Top of Page... Home
| Centers
& Programs | Faculty
& Staff | Students
| News, Research
& Publications Copyright 2007 Eagleton Institute of Politics |
