Our Staff
The North Shore AFL-CIO Federation of Labor is the organized voice for 85,000 working people in Cuyahoga, Lake, and Geauga counties. Over 146 Local unions are affiliated with our labor federation. We represent teachers, musicians, nurses, construction workers, firefighters, janitors, bus drivers, bakery workers, and many more.
LEONARD DICOSIMO | EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Leonard has been President of the Cleveland Federation of Musicians, Local 4 AFM, since 2005. He most recently served as Treasurer for the Federation. He is a longtime working musician and a labor leader, previously serving on the faculties of Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music and Lakeland Community College. He has performed as an associate artist for Cleveland Opera on Tour in the orchestra pits of Playhouse Square Foundation, Great Lakes Theatre Festival, and Cleveland Playhouse. First appointed to the Local 4 Executive Board in 1996, he was elected the union's Secretary-Treasurer from 1999-2004. He was educated at the former George Meany Center for Labor Studies in Washington, DC, and has been the Secretary of the AFM International Finance Committee since 2013.
BRIAN PEARSON | POLITICAL DIRECTOR
Brian is a native of the Youngstown area. Before joining the North Shore AFL-CIO, he spent eight years as a firefighter/paramedic with the City of Girard, where he also served as Secretary-Treasurer and then President of IAFF Local 1220. Along with his work as a local union leader, he served on the Legislative Committee of the Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters (OAPFF), where he lobbied at the Statehouse for pro-worker and pro-firefighters policies. Before that, he was a member and Trustee of AFSCME Local 765. He remains a dues-paying IAFF member and is a member of OPEIU Local 1794. Brian has a bachelor's degree in American History and holds a Master of Public Administration from Ohio University. His wife, Samantha, and their two children live in Shaker Heights.
KAREN RECHENBACH | OFFICE MANAGER
Karen has served as an administrative professional in the labor movement for nearly 50 years. Her dedicated service has included work for the Cleveland Teachers Union (AFT) Local 279, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Communications Workers of America District 4, and the Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council. She is a member of OPEIU Local 1794 and lives in Westlake.
WYNNE ANTONIO | RETIREE COORDINATOR
Wynne coordinates the Senior Voice! Coalition. She is a retired teacher from the Cleveland Municipal School District. Wynne was an active member of the American Federation of Teachers Local 279 for 35 years and a member of the Cleveland Teachers Union Retiree Chapter. As a political activist in community organizations, electoral politics, progressive campaigns, and the labor movement, she is always dedicated to issues of peace, social justice, and self-determination issues.
Wynne resides in Lakewood. She graduated from Cleveland State University with various educational credentials and a lifetime Ph.D./ABD from Kent State University with a focus on Organizational Development.