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. In his role as CFT President, Freitas serves as a Vice President of the AFT and the California Labor Federation, 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.
EC/TK-12 COUNCIL
Steve 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.
COUNCIL OF CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES
Carl 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.
COMMUNITY COLLEGE COUNCIL
Jim 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.
UNIVERSITIES COUNCIL
Mia McIver is president of the CFT Universities Council and past president of UC-AFT Local 1474. Mia teaches at UCLA.
COUNCIL OF RETIRED MEMBERS
Dennis Kelly is president of the CFT Council of Retired Members. He is currently chair of UESF Retired Division. Formerly, he was UESF president; AFT & CFT vice president; 26 year CFT parliamentarian; SF Labor Council Executive Board; and a 35 year classroom teacher. Kelly received the Ben Rust award in 2018.
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.
Jeffery M. Freitas
CFT President
Juan Ramirez
AFT President of United Teachers Los Angeles, AFT Local 1021
Carl Williams
President, CFT Council of Classified Employees and Lawndale
Federation of Classified Employees, AFT Local 4529