NEWS: RPEA Announces New Executive Director and Director of Member Engagement to Lead Organization’s Ongoing Efforts

ALBANY, N.Y. – The Retired Public Employees Association (RPEA), which represents the interests of over 500,000 New York state and local government retirees, today announced the addition of Tom Tatun as executive director and Bianca Hotte as director of member engagement. They bring a strong and diverse background in public affairs, policy, and grassroots engagement to further RPEA’s mission of protecting the earned benefits and rights of New York’s retired public employees.

Mr. Tatun is a seasoned government relations professional with over a decade of experience shaping national, state, and local public policy, leading advocacy efforts, and building bipartisan coalitions. He previously held senior positions with Wonderschool, the National Service Office for Nurse-Family Partnership and Child First, and the Association of School Business Officials of New York. Previously, Tatun also worked as a legislative aide and budget analyst in the New York State Assembly and the Division of State Police.

“Serving as RPEA’s executive director is more than an opportunity to advocate for and represent public service retirees; it’s personal for me,” Mr. Tatun said. “My father and uncle are longtime RPEA members, having retired from the Division of State Police and Suffolk County, so I’ve seen firsthand the impact of this organization and its advocacy. I’m honored to help lead RPEA’s efforts, which span more than 55 years and counting, to continue to secure and enhance the benefits New York’s public servants have earned.”

Ms. Hotte brings a strong background in outreach and constituent services from her time as Congressional staff. She also held a policy and advocacy role at the Commission on

 Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU). In her new role with RPEA, she will focus on membership development efforts, executing programs and services that support the needs of retirees, and working with vendors to provide enhanced programs and benefits for members.

“Our members are the heart of this organization, and I’m excited to connect with retirees to expand RPEA’s reach within our regional chapters and beyond,” Ms. Hotte said. “Drawing on years of experience working with membership-driven associations, I look forward to helping our members leverage all of RPEA’s benefits and programs and supporting the growth of this organization.”

“Public employees work their entire lives with the expectation that when they retire, their existing benefits will be preserved. Tom and Bianca are strategic, passionate, and deeply committed to advocating for public service retirees,” said Diana Hinchcliff, RPEA board president. “Their experience will strengthen RPEA’s efforts to protect the retirement, health care and other benefits our members have earned, while enhancing our advocacy effectiveness across the state, in Albany and in Washington, DC.”

RPEA is the only organization whose sole purpose is to advocate on behalf of public service retirees and the state’s leading voice on issues affecting them including, pension protections, cost-of-living adjustments, and access to affordable health care.

###

The Retired Public Employees Association (RPEA): Founded in 1969, RPEA is a not-for-profit entity that represents and advocates for the interests of nearly 500,000 retirees and their beneficiaries from New York state and local governments, school districts, and public authorities. For more information, visit www.RPEA.org.