Leadership

Executive Officers

Robert Newell, Jr.

President
Robert Newell has been a Local 1500 member for over 20-years. He began his career pushing carts at Pathmark and joined the UFCW Local 1500 staff in 1995, helping to organize Wild by Nature. Rob has been a Pension & Welfare Trustee since 2007 and in January of 2014 was elected as Plan Manager of the UFCW Local 1500 Legal Service Fund.

Aly Y. Waddy

Secretary-Treasurer

Hablo Español

Aly Y. Waddy began her career working as a PT deli clerk for Dan's Supreme Key Food in Queens, NY in 1998. She rose through the ranks from PT to FT and finally to Deli Manager. In June of 1999 Aly left Dan's and came to work for Local 1500 as an Organizer. She currently holds the position of Secretary Treasurer. In her Executive position Aly works directly with President Rob Newell and the rest of the Executive staff daily to ensure that the hardworking women and men of Local 1500 are protected in their workplace.

Joseph Waddy

Executive Vice President/Recorder
In May of 2016, President Tony Speelman appointed Joseph Waddy Assistant to the President. Joe also serves as Vice President on the Local 1500 Executive Board, Welfare Fund Trustee, and a Delegate to the Long Island Federation of Labor.

Paul Santarpia

Director Of Operations
Paul Santarpia has been a Local 1500 member for over 35-years. He began his career at Pathmark on Staten Island and joined the UFCW Local 1500 staff in 1992. Paul oversees all Union Representatives as Field Director for UFCW Local 1500. He is also a Vice President.

Directors

Greg Pasquale

Field Director
Greg joined the UFCW Local 1500 team in January, 2014. Greg worked for Stop & Shop and Grand Union for over 36 years. He served as a Shop Steward and a key negotiating committee member for numerous contract negotiations. He also served on the Local 1500 Executive Board before joining the staff. Greg represents Local 1500's members in Northern Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties.

Jay Scorzelli

Assistant Field Director
Jay has worked with UFCW Local 1500 for over 20 years. He has served UFCW Local 1500 members in Long Island, Brooklyn, The Bronx and New York City. Prior to servicing, Jay worked in the Organizing Department where he fought for workers rights at BJ's Wholesale Club. Jay also is an elected member of the UFCW Local 1500 Executive Board.

Rob Ecker

Assistant Field Director
Rob Ecker has been with UFCW Local 1500 as a member, organizer and Union Representative for nearly 30 years. In February 2017 Rob was promoted to Administrative Field Coordinator/Representative. In January of 2018, Rob was elected as a member of the UFCW Local 1500 Executive Board. In 2022 Rob became an Assistant Field Director. Rob is active in holding numerous fundraisers for the Leukemia-Lymphoma Society, as well as for Breast Cancer research.