ALBANY, N.Y. September 14, 2009 - New York State United Teachers today announced that Patrick J. Lyons will serve as assistant to NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi, effective immediately. A longtime NYSUT staffer, Lyons was previously a senior legislative representative in the union's legislative department. He replaces Anthony Bifaro, who retired earlier in the month.
"Patrick brings a wealth of union experience and legislative knowledge to the table," said Iannuzzi. "He is a terrific addition to the NYSUT leadership team."
Lyons, 40, holds a master's degree from the Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the State University at Albany and an undergraduate degree in political science from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh. He lives in Clifton Park with his wife and three children.
NYSUT, the state's largest union, represents more than 600,000 classroom teachers and other school employees; faculty and other professionals at the state's community colleges, State University of New York and City University of New York, and other education and health professionals. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO.