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Kathy Bonazzi

most recently taught in the Cranbury, New Jersey school district. Previously, she served as Executive Director of the Chesapeake (Virginia) Education Association, as Communications Specialist for the Teachers Association of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, and as a teacher in Virginia and Massachusetts.

Deborah Conway

-Professional Development–was Director of Professional Development and Instructional Issues for the New Jersey Education Association, where she worked for 17 years. She holds a Bachelors degree from Montclair State University and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Middleham University. She has done graduate work at Trenton State College, Bank Street School, and University of Colorado.

Dr. Walter C. Farrell Jr.

is Professor of Management and Community Practice in the School of Social Work, Associate Director of the Urban Investment Strategies Center in the Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, and a Fellow in the Center for Urban and Regional Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Widely published, he holds a Ph.D. in Urban-Social Geography from Michigan State University, among other advanced degrees.

Michael Flynn

was an Audit Manager with NovakFrancella CPAs and Global Controller for Deloitte Consulting. A CPA, he is the Director/Owner of AIM IT Solutions. For 10 years, he has worked with the NEA, their affiliates and other labor organizations performing technology analysis, software development, project management, and operational consulting. He holds a Master’s in Business from Boston University and a Bachelor’s in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame.

Jill Kirwen

is a consultant analyzing health insurance contracts for public employee groups. She graduated from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., and participated in the Certified Employee Benefits Specialist Program through the Wharton School. She was an Associate Director of Research with NJEA for over 15 years, analyzing and negotiating school employees’ health benefits.

Stephen J. Melchiskey

is a professional, independent arbitrator and mediator. For 16 years, he negotiated contracts, handled grievances, participated in arbitration hearings, and organized new locals for the New York State Teachers Association/NEA. For seven years, he was Director of Labor Relations and Personnel for Erie II Chattaugua Cattaraugus Board of Cooperative Education Services, where he oversaw all personnel issues. He holds a Master’s degree in Counseling from Indiana State University.

Dr. James P. Reilly

is a collective bargaining consultant to both labor and management in the public education sector. For 31 years, he served as Director of Research and Economic Services for the New Jersey Education Association. Previously, he taught science in public schools in New York and was a Professional Research Consultant to the Michigan Education Association. He holds a Ph.D. in Education Research and Administration from Michigan State University.