Ange Palmerini, President

Ange Palmerini has been involved in the Union for over 20 years and has held the positions of Trustee, Unit Steward, Chief Steward and Vice President.  Ange has served on numerous committees and has helped to coordinate many Union sponsored events and functions. He also serves on the board of the Rochester Labor Council as well as the Sergeant of Arms of AFSCME NY Council 66.

Jessica Rinebold, Vice President

Jessica Rinebold has been with the RCSD since 2006. She began her work with the Union in 2010 as the Elementary Unit Chair. Other titles she has held within BENTE are Website Coordinator and Trustee. In addition to her role as Vice President, she currently serves as the Chief Steward, a title appointed to her in August 2020. She has also served on the BENTE Scholarship Committee since 2015 and was a member of the 2021 Negotiating Committee. Jessica has attended the American Association of Classified School Employees Conference, which gave her the opportunity to lobby in Washington D.C. with fellow AFSCME brothers and sisters. She also serves as a Member-at-Large on the executive board for AFSCME NY Council 66.

Laura Kuhn, Secretary-Treasurer

Laura Kuhn, Secretary-Treasurer, is new to the role as of December 2023.  She has been an active part of the BENTE since 2015, serving as the Unit Steward for Elementary and Secondary Clerical and website coordinator. Laura is always quick to volunteer for speaking at board meetings and assisting with the organization and set up of union activities like the Rally for Respect, Labor Day Parade, and the Essential Then, Essential Now picket.  She has also served on the BENTE Scholarship Committee and the Negotiations Committee.

Sonia Alvarado, Recording Secretary

Sonia Alvarado has been employed with the RCSD since 1995 and currently works as an Office Clerk Bilingual at School of the Arts. Prior to her election to Recording Secretary, she served as a Steward in the Food Services unit and has been active in the Union since 1995 . Sonia has attended Steward Training,  informational pickets, and Union sponsored functions. She currently serves on the Negotiating Committee. 

Jessica Rinebold, Chief Steward

See above under the title Vice President for details about Jess.

Zelder Bice, Sergeant-at-Arms

Zelder Bice has been an active involved member with BENTE for over 20 years.  Zelder has served as Unit Steward and Trustee of Local 2419 and is also the Sexual Harassment Prevention Coordinator and a voting Member-at-Large for AFSCME Council 66. She has attended numerous AFSCME Lobbying efforts in Albany and has participated in CBTU and political action functions throughout her career. Zelder has a history of representing all members equally but has been particularly instrumental in advocating for the security unit, pushing for contractual gains that have resulted in security license reimbursement, bracket increases, and increased professional development to name a few. She currently serves as a School Safety Officer at the District’s Central Office. 

Wayne Collom, Sergeant-at-Arms

Wayne Collom has been actively involved in BENTE for over 20 years.  He is famous for his annual portrayal of Santa Claus at the CURE Holiday party each year.  Wayne has served as a Unit Steward, Unit Chairperson, Election Committee Chairperson, and member of the negotiating team.  Wayne is also the Council 66 and BENTE Local 2419 photographer.