The Club elected its 2018 Officers and Executive Board at its Annual Meeting on January 8, 2018, after passing a Constitutional amendment increasing the number of Executive Board Members-at-Large from 6 to 8. 

In thanking members for her election, incoming President Bridget Cusick said: “There is so much work to do, and we are the people to do it! I am looking forward to a very busy year of events and activities that help educate us and our neighbors and help elect great candidates.”

Bridget Cusick has served as a consultant to many campaigns, including those of Assemblymember Rebecca Seawright and City Councilmember Ben Kallos and as an adviser to the campaign of District Leader Ben Wetzler. Today she serves as director of marketing at the Archdiocese of New York, a volunteer tutor to NYC public school students and a board member of the Originally You Foundation, which works to combat bullying.

Frank Wilkinson, re-elected as Vice-President, is the author of the bestselling novel “Bygones”. He became involved in Yorkville politics in the mid-1980s and served as a district leader for twenty years. He currently sits on the New York County's Judiciary Committee, which picks the panel organizations that screen Democratic candidates for Civil and State Supreme Court judgeships.

Treasurer John Bartos stepped in as acting Treasurer last fall when the then Treasurer resigned.  He has served as treasurer for several other Democratic elected officials, judges, and organizations, and previously worked as a legislative aide to a state senator.

Jerry Ferguson, re-elected as Corresponding Secretary, is a lawyer specializing in Digital Media Law. He has focused on increasing community engagement with Club social media accounts and is leading an effort to revamp our website.

Recording Secretary Lauren Trapanotto is also a County Committee member. She has lived on the Upper East Side since graduating from Pace University in 2011 where she studied Economics, and is an Account Manager for a technology firm.

The following individuals were elected as Members-at-Large of the Executive Board.

Arlene Kayatt was elected as Judicial Delegate in several recent elections and is a member of the Democratic Committee. Prior to becoming an attorney practicing in the area of matrimonial and family law, she was an Assistant Professor of Business in the CUNY/SUNY system and an editor for Our Town newspaper. She presently writes the East Side Observer column for the paper.

Matt Lombardi is a trial attorney and has served as an Alternate Judicial Delegate. Last year, he chaired the Club’s Events Committee, which has hosted successful fundraisers, and thrown community Club events like the summer BBQ, and holiday party.

Bob Menna is Chair of the Activism Committee and is also a County Committee member. He is a recognized community activist among elected officials and other community leaders, and previously was President of another area Democratic Club.

Pierre Ratzki is an attorney, County Committee member, and prior candidate for Alternate Judicial Delegate. He also represents our district on the County Rules Committee.

Adam Roberts previously served as a District Leader and Member-at-large of the Club’s Executive Board. Professionally, he has worked for numerous elected officials and candidates, and currently works for the American Institute of Architects doing government relations.

Tricia Shimamura chairs the Club’s Diversity and Outreach Committee. She serves on the County Committee, and is a member of Community Board 8, chairing the Waterfront Committee and is Second Vice Chair of the Board. She recently founded She Will Rise, an organization dedicated to engaging young women and building a leadership pipeline to increase representation in local government and across professional sectors.

John Wagner is Chair of the Policy Committee of the FFDC. He is a Professor at Weill Cornell Medical College, chairs the Secular Coalition for NY, and works at the UN to promote human rights.

Esther Yang is a Community Activist and an advocate. She is a former board member of the Organization of Chinese Americans, former Bellevue Hospital Community Advisory Board and also a former Judicial Delegate. She has worked with Comptroller John Liu as his Community Coordinator.