ULI Alumni Shares His Leadership Path to Public Office
We are excited to highlight the latest leadership update of one of ULI Alumni Randy Brolo, Business Development Manager for South NJ LECET, who recently won election to the Rancocas Valley High School Board of Education.
Randy credits the leadership training at the NYS AFL-CIO Union Leadership Institute (ULI) for preparing him to play multiple roles as a union leader and public servant. During ULI, he learned how to become a strategic leader ready to look for different ways to engage his members, advocate for working people and connect his union to the needs of his community.
Randy Brolo began his career in the labor movement as an Apprentice for Laborers Local 172. He then became an Organizer for the Laborers Eastern Region Organizing Fund in 2017 and as of January 2023, he was appointed South NJ Business Development Manager NJ LECET.
Randy’s inspiration for his work stems from witnessing how though union membership members of his community can build economic stability and provide a safe future for their families. Randy understands that his responsibility is to organize workers, so they understand that unions are about workers building power together. His personal aspiration is always to be a good union leader who leads by example and fights for the dignity of workers in any construction site or workplace.
In his own words Randy shares that "the ULI program gave me confidence to stand up as a leader for my union and my community. The program prepared me to take on leadership roles by giving me the tools to guide others. Through very informative sessions, we learned that leaders bring others along to a common vision of the work. I learned that 'if you are doing it alone, you are doing it wrong.' Also, it gave me an extended family of other leaders in organized labor whom I know I can always count on for ideas if I am stuck and or support when I need it."
Randy is a father of five and also a grandfather. He enjoys helping his children with their extracurricular activities. He is also a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and spends his free time going to car shows in his antique car.
Some of the other leadership positions held by Randy Brolo are:
- Burlington County Central Labor Council (AFL CIO): Trustee
- Lumberton Township Planning Board: Director
- Burlington County Community Development Program (CDBG): Advisor Committee
- Burlington County Workforce Development: Board Member
- Mount Holly Municipal Authority: Commissioner
- Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust (LECET): South New Jersey Business Development Manager
- Rancocas Valley High School Board of Education: Board Member
- Co-Chair of the Lumberton Democratic Party.
We are proud of Randy's leadership path. Congratulations Randy.
Stay connected with your ULI Family. Send us updates at Sherrie Morales sm92@cornell.edu