News

Veteran Union Leaders Anthony Villa and Jim Mason to Oversee Nearly 10,000 Members Across Five Locals

The North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (NASRCC) announced the promotion of Anthony Villa and Jim Mason to Regional Managers, overseeing carpenter locals across New York State. They will share the responsibilities formerly held by longtime Regional Manager Bill Banfield, who retired earlier this year.

In their new roles, Villa and Mason will lead organizing efforts, represent members in labor and community partnerships, and ensure continued advocacy for fair wages, safe worksites, and expanded access to union careers. Together, they will oversee nearly 10,000 members across five locals.

“Anthony and Jim bring decades of experience and a real understanding of what it takes to keep our members and contractors successful,” said Joe Byrne, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters. “They’ll play an important role in strengthening our workforce, supporting our contractors, and preparing the next generation of carpenters to meet the industry’s growing demands.”

Anthony Villa, Regional Manager – Eastern New York

Locals 291 (Plattsburgh–Albany), 279 (Hudson Valley), and 290 (Long Island)

A lifelong New Yorker, Anthony Villa joined Local 11 in 2002 as an apprentice, working his way through the ranks as journeyman, shop steward, and foreman. In 2013, he was hired on staff with the NASRCC, where he has since served as Local 290 President, NASRCC Executive Board Trustee, Delegate to the Council, and most recently, Eastern New York Regional Manager.

Villa is involved in the broader labor movement, serving as a delegate and executive board member for the Nassau Suffolk Building Trades and the AFL-CIO Long Island Federation of Labor. He also holds leadership positions on the Suffolk and Nassau County boards of business agents, several local labor advisory boards, and the Green Build Council’s Long Island chapter.

Villa oversees more than 4,800 members across three locals. Among his many career milestones, he is especially proud of mentoring young carpenters and helping unorganized workers find a pathway into union membership. His signature field projects include the Catskill Delaware UV Plant and numerous high-rise developments across New York City and Westchester County.

“An important part of our role in the community is making sure our members and contractors have what they need to achieve their goals and be successful,” Villa said. “That means leading with experience, strengthening partnerships in the field, and ensuring union carpenters remain the most skilled and reliable workforce in the industry.”

Jim Mason, Regional Manager – Western and Central New York

Locals 276 (Western NY) and 277 (Central NY)

Jim Mason, a third-generation carpenter from Mexico, NY, joined Local 277 in 2002 as a GC/Heavy Concrete apprentice. Over a 15-year field career, he advanced to journeyman, foreman, and superintendent before joining the union staff in 2017. Mason currently serves as President of Local 277, Delegate, Combined Funds and Annuity Fund Trustee, and Chairman of the Carpenters Labor Management Program. He also serves on the NASRCC Executive Committee.

Beyond his union work, Mason is active in community development and workforce initiatives, including the Board of Directors for Operation Oswego County and the Citi BOCES Advisory Board. He helped develop the Syracuse Build Pathways to Apprenticeship program in Syracuse, now a national model for building trades recruitment, helping to expand access to union careers for underrepresented groups.

Mason proudly represents over 4,700 members across two locals. His field experience includes the Onondaga Lake Cleanup and work at Ground Zero following the September 11 attacks. Mason was recently recognized for his leadership representing the Carpenters in helping to attract Micron’s investment in Central New York.

“We have a responsibility to build a workforce that’s ready for the future, from new technologies to large-scale projects across the state,” Mason said. “That starts with recruiting and training the next generation of carpenters and maintaining strong programs that give every member the tools they need to succeed. I’m proud to be part of the team helping to make that happen.”