Leadership Bios

Joe Vitta
President
Teamster Since 1974

Joe started his career in the soft drink industry at the age of 15 as a helper for Pepsi distributor Suydam Beverages during summers and school breaks. He joined Local 812 when he was 18 and worked in the loading department as summer help. In 1974, he was hired permanently as a warehouseman for Pepsi. He was elected Shop Steward in 1982 and held that position until he was elected to the 812 Executive Board as a Trustee/Business Agent in 1987. He was elected Recording Secretary in 1991 and later elected Secretary Treasurer. Joe serves as a Vice President on the Teamsters National Brewery & Soft Drink Conference. Joe is  Chairman of the 812 Pension Fund and of the Local 812 Health Fund. He also chairs the Computer Committee.

President's Message

John Visconti
Secretary Treasurer
Teamster Since 1989

In 2004, John was elected Steward for Peps-Cola’s Webster Ave. and Hunts Point warehouses. In 2009, he became Steward at Pepsi’s new Brush Ave. facility. John was elected to the Local 812 Executive Board in 2012 as a Trustee and also became a Business Agent. In 2015, he was elected Recording Secretary. In 2016, he became Vice President and then, in 2019, Secretary Treasurer. He knows experienced leadership is very important in these difficult times. “I am committed, along with the rest of this Executive Board, to fight for all our members. With our integrity and hard work, we will keep Local 812 strong.” John is a Trustee on both the Local 812 Health Fund and Local 812 Retirement Fund. He is Chairman of the Local 812 Delinquency and Administration Committees.

Angel Martinez
Vice President
Teamster Since 1991

Angel worked as a Fountain Technician at Coca Cola for 19 years and was also elected Shop Steward. He was appointed Business Agent in 2010. Martinez is the Chair of Local 812’s Political Action Committee (PAC). He is also active in the community and was appointed as a member of Community Board 9 in the Bronx, where he still serves. Angel is a member of the Teamsters National Hispanic Caucus and is a Director of the New York Chapter.

Jeff Knatz
Recording Secretary
Teamster Since 1996

Jeff started his career at Canada Dry Maspeth, working as a side Loader Driver. In 1999, he joined Coca-Cola Maspeth and became Steward in 2000. Jeff was a Shop Steward for all the drivers and merchandisers for 16 years, until he became a Business Agent for Local 812 in 2016. He began serving as a Union Trustee in 2019. In September 2021, Jeff was appointed Recording Secretary. He also serves as a Trustee on the Local 812 Health Fund and is the Secretary Treasurer of the Local 812 Political Action Committee.

Mark Pooler
Trustee
Teamster Since 1983

Mark began his career in the beer business in 1983. In his years with Budweiser, he worked as a Helper, Driver, Warehouseman, Driver Salesman, and Bulk Driver. Adding to this experience, Mark was on every contract negotiation committee, and was elected Shop Steward in 2000. He helped lead the Clare Rose members through an 84-day strike before being appointed Business Agent in 2019. Pooler was elected Trustee in 2020.

Richard Staszewski
Trustee
Teamster Since 1979

Rich is a 42-year Teamster, starting his career with The Pepsi Cola Bottling Company of New York Vending Department in 1979. Rich has served as the Shop Steward of the Vending Department for the last 17 years. In addition of being a long time Shop Steward, Rich has been an advocate for Local 812 members and their families while he held the position of President and Trustee of The Local 812 Scholarship Fund. Rich believes that Labor Unions are the key to better lives for working people.

Anthony Broquadio
Trustee
Teamster Since 1996

Anthony began working at Coca Cola Elmsford production in 1996. He was first elected Shop Steward in 2016. In addition to decades as an active union member, Anthony served in both the Navy and Air Force for a total of 14 years, both as an active and reserve serviceman. In 2022, he was appointed Local 812 Trustee. Anthony says that he is “always there for the members, fighting for their rights.” He is proud to be the first production member to serve on the board.