New Jobs for Chris and Jeanne!

Chris Whalen and Jeanne Otersen at Jeanne’s going-away party on December 2.

Chris Whalen begins his new job today as HPAE’s Executive Director. For the past five years, Chris has been HPAE’s Director of Public Sector Representation and has been with HPAE for greater than 10 years.

Chris has been an essential part of HPAE’s growth and enhanced communications programs. Recently, he has been designated by AFT to develop HPAE/AFT’s member engagement program for the whole union.

At the same time, Chris is playing a key role in helping HPAE to develop new administrative and information/data systems which will enable us to be a more effective organization.

Chris is replacing Jeanne Otersen, who was HPAE’s Chief of Staff for the past two years. Jeanne played a central role in helping HPAE become the largest and most well-respected healthcare union in New Jersey. After joining the HPAE staff in 1994, Jeanne guided our public policy and legislative programs. In recent years, she also assumed overall responsibility for coordinating the work of our staff and our union’s strategic plan.

Jeanne also begins a new job today as an Associate Director of AFT’s healthcare division in Washington, D.C. We will miss Jeanne tremendously, but we wish her all the best in her new job and new life in Washington, D.C.