Local Officers

Rosa Taormina, President
Rosa joined Salem State University in July 2017 as an Administrative Assistant II in the Bertolon School of Business. She became an APA union member in May 2018 when she was promoted to the role of Assistant Director of Operations, Assessment and Accreditation. After helping the school achieve initial AACSB accreditation, Rosa accepted a new position as a Business Advisor – CARES Act at the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center, where she has been helping small business owners navigate federal COVID relief programs.

Rosa served as chapter grievance officer since December 2018 and is excited to make a difference in this new role. She lives with her husband, two daughters, and Boston Terrier Jackie Daytona, in neighboring Beverly. A Connecticut native, Rosa has lived in Massachusetts since 2003 and tries very hard to get her children to pronounce the letter “r”. Rosa holds a BA from Providence College and a JD from Massachusetts School of Law.
Email Rosa

Derek A. Barr, Vice President
Derek Barr has been involved with the APA for over a decade at Salem State University, assisting with elections, special events and contract inquiries. He has worked as an instructional technologist in the The Center for Teaching Innovation for 13 years and the last 2.5 years in a dual role with Information Technology. Prior to working in the Center for Teaching Innovation, he worked for the Instructional Media Center for 14 years as an instructional media specialist.  Currently he serves as the Assistant Director of Digital Media and Classroom Technology Services in Information Technology. Barr’s hard work has been noted by receiving the governor’s Citation of Performance Recognition Award (three times in the past decade). Derek is here to answer your questions. If he can’t, he will get an answer for you. 
Email Derek

Michael Pelletier, Lead Grievance Officer
Michael Pelletier has been an APA member since 2014, and was elected Chapter President of Salem State University in 2015. A former classified AFSCME member and overall State University System employee since 2008, Michael has familiarity with a number of constituents, groups and scenarios and has a wide canon of university functions, including Student Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Registrar’s office. Servicing currently as a Business Operations project manager working closely with Fleet management, Commonwealth Fuel Program, University Mail Services, to name several areas.

Randy Cloke, Membership Coordinator
Randy Cloke is an alumnus of Salem State and Saint Joseph’s University, having earned a Master of Education in Higher Education in Student Affairs from SSU and a Bachelor of Arts in History SJU. With a rich background in academic coaching, student retention, and advising, Randy has dedicated his career to fostering student success through individualized support, the development of critical academic skills, and the promotion of holistic student development. His expertise extends to managing student caseloads, collaborating with faculty and staff to overcome barriers to success, and leading initiatives that enhance the student experience, particularly for commuter students, first-generation students, and students from underrepresented communities.