After years of dedicated service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to working people, OCSEA Vice President Gerard "Rocky" Jolly has officially retired from State of Ohio service and has stepped down as Vice President with OCSEA/AFSCME Local 11. Brother Jolly passed the VP torch to activist Cynthia Watiker, who began in the position on Friday after official approval by the members of the OCSEA Board of Directors.

 

Brother Jolly, a union activist with The Ohio State School for the Blind, was first elected OCSEA Vice President in August 2019 and was reelected in 2023. For nearly three decades, he has held many positions within the union including Ohio State School For Blind Chapter 2529 President, District 6 President, OCSEA State Board of Directors member, and a Union Education Trust (UET) Board Trustee. Rocky was a pillar of the collaborative Combined Charitable Campaign (CCC) throughout his state career, including serving as its state co-chair during the duration of his time as Vice President.

 

"The strength of the union today was built on communication and trust," said Jolly. "And it's important to continue building a path where voices are heard," he said, calling union solidarity a "team effort."

 

Jolly's impact can’t be measured just in years served, but in the countless members he stood up for, the contracts he helped secure, and the strength he brought to our union every single day. He has worked tirelessly to listen, understand and learn the concerns of our members.

 

"I've always thought of myself as a 'man of the people,' and I'm proud to say I never swayed from that ideal. I'm humbled to have been a part of building this movement and to have stood by the hard-working union members who make Ohio happen," said Jolly.