Your representation
We've got your back
Local 17's officers and stewards are your coworkers at VA Central Office, elected and trained to represent you. Here's how to reach a representative for your unit.
Home/Your Representation
Executive board
Your elected officers
These are the members you elected to negotiate your working conditions, enforce the collective bargaining agreement through the grievance process, and resolve issues through informal dispute resolution. The Local also handles arbitrations and represents members before the EEOC, MSPB, and OSC.
President
Douglas Massey, Esq.
First Vice President
Calanit Kedem, Esq.
Second Vice President
Nicholas Keogh, Esq.
Third Vice President
MB Viccellio, Esq.
Secretary
Vanessa Watts
Sergeant-at-Arms
JR Cummings, Esq.
Treasurer
William Wetmore, Esq.
Local President — Douglas Massey
President Massey leads AFGE Local 17's representation of bargaining unit employees at VA Central Office. He welcomes members to reach out directly with any concern, small or large.
On the floor
Your stewards
Stewards are your coworkers at VA Central Office, trained to represent you in the moment — at an investigative interview, in a performance dispute, or the day a problem lands on your desk. You have the right to a steward's presence before you answer questions that could lead to discipline.
Chief Steward
Stephen Eckerman, Esq.
Steward
Georgio Comninos, Esq.
Steward
Chareese McSwain
Steward
Marcus Colicelli, Esq.
Steward
Tyeas Tillman
Reaching your officers & stewards
To keep our representatives reachable without exposing their inboxes, Local 17 publishes one address for the whole Local: douglas.massey@afgelocal17.org. Tell us your unit and what's going on, and we'll connect you with the right person right away. 6 of your 7 elected officers are practicing attorneys.
By unit
How to find your representative
A representative is your first call for anything on the job. Don't know yours? Reach out by your area, or just email the Local office and we'll connect you.
Can't find your representative?
Email the Local office or submit an issue online. We'll connect you with the right rep for your unit.