A Delmar resident has been named the new director of communications for New York State United Teachers or NYSUT.
Deborah Hornell Ward will oversee all internal and external communications for the 575,000-member union, the largest in the state. Ward has been with NYSUT since1989, and NYSUT president Richard C. Iannuzzi said she will lead the team that communicates to members and the public.
It is important for us to center our efforts in one place, under the direction of one person, said Ianuzzi. `It was obvious to us we had that person already on staff.`
Ward worked as an editor at the Oneonta Daily Star and also worked at the Albany Times Union. She joined NYSUT after working at United University Professions and at public relations firm Sawchuk Brown Associates, where she was responsible for many education accounts.
Ward said providing members and the public with timely information is one of her goals as director.
`We really need to communicate now at the speed of byte,` said Ward.
NYSUT communications includes the 575,000-circulation newspaper The New York Teacher, along with all media relations, online communications and member communications.“