UJP Announces New Leadership Team
Independent Organization announces first Executive Director, expands regional leadership team
Albany, NY – The Upstate Jobs Party (UJP) today announced an expansion of their leadership team, naming the organization’s first Executive Director, as well as several prominent regional leaders. UJP named Timothy Dunn as the organization’s first Executive Director.
Dunn, a business and political consultant originally from the Mohawk Valley, will be tasked with building the organizational structure, crafting and articulating messaging, and continuing to advance UJP as a major force in Upstate NY politics. For the last five years, Dunn has served as President of Dunn Strategy Group, a Saratoga County-based consulting firm specializing in advanced electronics, healthcare, politics, energy, economic development, and marketing.
Prior to founding his own firm, Dunn has served in various corporate, nonprofit and small business leadership roles. He’s a passionate voice for economic development and the innovation economy, holds an MBA from the University at Albany and in 2016, was recognized by the Albany Business Review as a 40 Under 40 Business Leader. He previously served as Communications Director for UJP, securing wins in 20 out of 30 endorsed races since 2018. Dunn rounds out a senior team led by UJP Founder and Silicon Valley Entrepreneur Martin Babinec and State Chair John Bullis.
Martin Babinec said, “UJP has been building momentum since our founding in 2016, helping independent leaders like Mayor Ben Walsh achieve electoral success, while shining a light on the opportunities presented by the innovation economy. Recruiting a topflight leader like Tim to serve as Executive Director will allow us to now turn that momentum into organizational strength and success.”
UJP also announced an expanded slate of local leaders around the State:
- Albany County Chair Daniel O’Sullivan, an experienced technology marketer, business consultant and startup mentor.
- Cortland County Chair Paul Allen, an experienced sales leader and print industry specialist.
- Herkimer County Chair Marc Butler, former NYS Assemblyman.
- Oneida County Chair Frank Anderson, Sr. Litigation Specialist and member of the Rome, NY Common Council.
- Onondaga County Chair John Catanzarita, Executive Vice President of One Group Financial.
- Monroe County Chair Aaron Metras, an owner of multiple restaurants.
- Saratoga County Chair Robin Dalton, a former news and publishing executive.
This new leadership team comes at pivotal time for UJP, as the Upstate economy has struggled to recover from the pandemic amid confusing mandates, with little public data transparency, and rampant government actions limiting freedom of speech and public engagement. The expanded leadership team is focused on advancing the UJP platform and visibility over the 2021 election cycle, as well as building momentum for the 2022 Gubernatorial race with aims of qualifying for ballot eligible status statewide. More information on the leadership team can be found at www.UpstateJobs.org/leadership.
UJP Chair John Bullis said, “We have assembled an impressive initial leadership team and they are already working to broaden our base and advance the Upstate Jobs Party. We’re thrilled to announce this important step as we seek ballot eligible status in New York. It’s clear that the traditional two party system isn’t working, and we need to find a way to speak for the hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who as of November 2020 became disenfranchised from the five constituted minor parties no longer qualifying as ballot eligible in New York State. UJP believes we are uniquely qualified to fill this void and this expansion of our leadership team reflects growing interest in our pursuing the path for statewide ballot eligibility.”
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