Below is some background on our 2021 leadership team.

President Jerry Ferguson

How long have you been involved in Four Freedoms and how did you originally hear of it? I heard of the idea of forming the Four Freedoms Democratic Club at the downstairs bar of the Players Club after the fateful meeting of the Lenox Hill Democratic Club where an aspiring City Council candidate had engineered a hostile takeover of the Lenox Hill Democratic Club by purchasing memberships for a large group of friends and business associates. It was the first meeting of the Lenox Hill Democratic Club that I had ever attended – quite an introduction to NYC politics. I joined the Four Freedoms Democratic Club as soon as it was formed.

Two truths and a Lie - (For those unfamiliar, two of the statements below are true, and one is made up. Want to know which is which? Chat with Jerry!)

1. I back-packed through West Africa for two months.
2. I bicycled through the Rajasthan region of India for 10 days.
3. I climbed the ruins of Tikal – a Mayan fortress in the rainforest of Guatemala.

Vice President Frank Wilkinson

How long have you been involved in Four Freedoms and how did you originally hear of it? I joined soon after its founding, having heard of it through the political grapevine, since I was then a district leader with the now defunct East Side Democratic Club.

Two truths and a Lie - (For those unfamiliar, two of the statements below are true, and one is made up. Want to know which is which? Chat with Frank!)

1. Frank wrote the defining Philadelphia novel, about which one reviewer on Amazon said, "Absolutely terrific multi-generation family story -- should be a television miniseries" and another said, "Loved this book. I literally couldn't put it down... read through the night (till 3am). Took a couple days to finish. A great classic American family saga." (for the record, Frank was too humble to include this one - editorial liberties were taken)
2. Frank has almost all of his money in the stock market.
3. Frank is 39 years old.

Recording Secretary Erica Vladimer

How long have you been involved in Four Freedoms and how did you originally hear of it? I joined Four Freedoms back in 2018, after talking with Assemblymember Dan Quart. I mentioned to him that I was eager to get involved in broader political and advocacy work but was hesitant to get out there. He urged me to attend the upcoming meeting, which he would be at, and I was shocked at how comfortable I felt. I met with Kim soon after to learn more about becoming a county committee member, and the rest is history.

1. I have a twin sister who can feel my pain in that special ESP kind of way
2. I went tornado chasing back in college during spring break
3. I was the first freshman in my high school to ever make the women's varsity volleyball team

Corresponding Secretary Alex Bores

How long have you been involved in Four Freedoms and how did you originally hear of it? I joined Four Freedoms looking for a way to get more involved locally after years of working with the federal government. I looked up Upper East Side clubs, and Four Freedoms was the only one with a functioning website and upcoming meeting. After getting to know the members of Four Freedoms, I was hooked.

1. As a born and bred resident of the UES, I've had the pleasure of interning or working for our last three council members (Gifford Miller, Jessica Lappin, and Ben Kallos).
2. As a result of my work with the Department of Commerce, the US government changed the way it calculates GDP.
3. I was an extra in a movie that stars Robin Williams, David Duchovny, Téa Leoni, Erykah Badu, Anton Yelchin, and Frank Langella and received a whopping 10% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Treasurer John Bartos

How long have you been involved in Four Freedoms and how did you originally hear of it? I had previously served as a board member of the Lexington Democratic Club. When I began dating the Four Freedoms Democratic Club's district leader in 2015, I decided to join the Four Freedoms as a full-time member. Later on, when the club's treasurer moved to California, I was appointed as his replacement, and I have been managing the club's finances ever since.

Two truths and a Lie - (For those unfamiliar, two of the statements below are true, and one is made up. Want to know which is which? Chat with John!)

Board:

Matt Lombardi

How long have you been involved in Four Freedoms and how did you originally hear of it? I joined FFDC shortly after its formation. I had put down roots on the Upper East Side and was looking to get more involved in the community. I was told that there was a new and exciting Democratic club in the neighborhood, and I should check it out. So I got into contact with Mike Dillon, the Club's president at the time. We hung out, talked politics, current affairs, our backgrounds, and after a while he asked if I wanted to check out the Club. I came to the next meeting, and never left.

Two truths and a Lie - (For those unfamiliar, two of the statements below are true, and one is made up. Want to know which is which? Chat with Matt!)

Flor de Maria Eilets

How long have you been involved in Four Freedoms and how did you originally hear of it? I was interested in being part of a Democratic club that was progressive and community inclusive. In my search I met District Leader Kim Moscaritolo in person at a 3rd Avenue Street Fair and she introduced me to Four Freedoms with its policy of diversity and true democratic values. Since then, I joined the Club, became a Manhattan County Committee Member, and a FFDC Board Member.

Two truths and a Lie - (For those unfamiliar, two of the statements below are true, and one is made up. Want to know which is which? Chat with Flor de Maria!)

Jordan Stein

How long have you been involved in Four Freedoms and how did you originally hear of it? I joined Four Freedoms in late 2017. I was at a community board meeting and I met a Four Freedoms Member Matt Locastro. He convinced me to come and I met so many wonderful people I didn't stop.

Two truths and a Lie - (For those unfamiliar, two of the statements below are true, and one is made up. Want to know which is which? Chat with Jordan!)

Gabe Panek

How long have you been involved in Four Freedoms and how did you originally hear of it? I've been part of Four Freedoms since it was but a twinkle in the eye of local activists. I was thrilled to play a role in creating this club—a true home for all UES/RI progressives—and will always be proud of it. Cheers to all members, new and old!

1. I am an avid collector of vinyl records.
2. When I was nine years old, I co-hosted an episode of a WNYC radio show.
3. I am a champion chess player.

Amy Schwartz

How long have you been involved in Four Freedoms and how did you originally hear of it? I joined in 2018. After working in NYC public policy advocacy for several years, I wanted to become involved in local progressive politics. I asked around for a Democratic Club on the UES, my home, where I could really affect political reform and become actively engaged in progressive politics - how lucky was I to be referred to FFDC! By my fourth meeting, I was helping set up an education workgroup, and soon after testifying at a NYC Council Public Hearing to improve funding for NYC public schools.

Two truths and a Lie - (For those unfamiliar, two of the statements below are true, and one is made up. Want to know which is which? Chat with Amy!)

Esther Yang

How long have you been involved in Four Freedoms and how did you originally hear of it? I started with Lenox Hill and was part of the founding members of FFDC. So since before the beginning! My good friends wanted something different. They didn't want the old Dems machine. We all decided FFDC is a better choice to make our mark and make that difference against all odds. Well, we did it and am sooo proud of all the hard work, sweats and more sweats + love.

Two truths and a Lie - (For those unfamiliar, two of the statements below are true, and one is made up. Want to know which is which? Chat with Esther!)

1. Esther has a blackbelt
2. Esther went to school in Holland
3. Esther has been named a "New Yorker of the Week" by NY1.

Ruth Halberg

(Ruth was our very first showcase, so the format of the answers was a little different!)

Marina Phillips

How long have you been involved in Four Freedoms and how did you originally hear of it? I have been involved with FFDC on and off since the beginning. I started getting serious about it after the last presidential election. My friend and neighbor introduced me to it - we had both worked on the Obama campaign together.

Two truths and a Lie - (For those unfamiliar, two of the statements below are true, and one is made up. Want to know which is which? Chat with Marina!)