EAS Carpenters Promote Anthony Abrantes as the New Assistant Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Carpenters Union

Anthony Abrantes Promoted to Assistant Executive Secretary-Treasurer. Regional Manager Bruce Garganio to Oversee all of New Jersey

(Edison, NJ) The Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters has announced the promotion of Anthony Abrantes as Assistant Executive Secretary-Treasurer for the carpenters union.

“Over the years, Anthony has been committed to working with industry partners, elected officials, and enforcement agencies to help expand workers’ rights and the opportunities for market share for union carpenters,” said William C. Sproule, Executive Secretary Treasurer for the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters. “Having Anthony as my Assistant Executive-Secretary Treasurer will be a great asset to our union and a role I know Anthony will excel in. His problem-solving ability and his overall passion for representing the members will be a great asset across our region “

Abrantes has served the Council as a Council Representative, Senior Council Representative, Political Director, and most recently Director of Organizing for the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters. Abrantes has a B.A. from Montclair State University in Sociology with an emphasis in Justice Studies. Prior to joining the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America as a carpenter, he interned as an investigative analyst with the New Jersey Office of Attorney General’s Division of Criminal Justice – Organized Crime and Racketeering Bureau. Abrantes also has served his Union and labor causes as an Executive Board Member for the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, Trustee for the Northeast Carpenters Funds, Trustee for the Carpenters Contractor Trust, Delegate for Local Union 254, Trustee for the Carpenters Benefits Fund of Philadelphia & Vicinity, and President Emeritus for the Northwest Jersey Central Labor Council.

“It is an honor to serve in this new role for a union I care so much about and have committed so much time and energy to,” said Abrantes. “The carpenters union is a leader in our communities and takes its role seriously in defending apprenticeships, safety on the job site, and the right for workers to organize. I look forward to continuing to work with EST Sproule and for the membership in this new leadership role and promoting the good work of our union.”

An Essex County native, Abrantes has lived in Morris County for the last 30 years and now resides in East Hanover, New Jersey with his wife, Nicole and their two children, Nicolette and Anthony Jr.

Also announced were expanded duties for Regional Manager Bruce Garganio to include all of New Jersey. Garganio’s role as Regional Manager will expand to include overseeing Council activities for all of New Jersey following the retirement of Peter Gowing as well as the State of Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Garganio is a 39-year union member and has served his union in several leadership roles including: Chairman of the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters Members Assistance Program (MAP), Vice Co-Chair of the Northeast Carpenters Fund, member of the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters Executive Board, and Financial Secretary for Local Union 255. Bruce also has been a true leader in the community serving on both the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders (now Board of County Commissioners) from 2010-2017 and the Delaware Valley Planning Commission from 2013-2017 and is currently a Commissioner for the Delaware River Port Authority and President of the Florence Township Council.

“New Jersey is my home and I take seriously who will help me oversee the day-to-day activities of our union there,” Sproule said. “Pete Gowing is one of the finest carpenters I have ever known, and I wish him a happy and healthy retirement. Bruce has an excellent record of service for his union and community. Expanding his role to include all of New Jersey is a choice I am confident in and know Bruce, as well as Anthony, will succeed in this new structure”

The Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters represents over 41,000 of the most skilled carpenters who live and work in Delaware, The District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Virginia, and West Virginia. In New Jersey alone the union represents over 13,000 carpenters. EAS Carpenters are trained in many different trades, including: commercial/residential carpentry; heavy highway; piledriving; floor-layering; mill cabinet work; and tradeshow construction.