News

At their recent monthly meeting, the Board of Trustees of the North Atlantic States Carpenters Training Fund (NASCTF) voted to appoint Ziven Drake as the new executive director of the fund, effective April 4, 2025.

Drake is a nine-year member of Piledrivers Local 56 and has served as assistant to the director of NASCTF since June 2020. She will succeed Tom Fischer, who recently announced his retirement. A 38-year member of Carpenters Local 336, Fischer has been the executive director since 2018.

 “I am honored to have served in my capacity as assistant director for these last two years, helping to implement the vision of the organization,” Drake said. “I look forward to carrying that momentum forward as executive director to improve the lives of our members and serve the needs of our employers.”

The North Atlantic States Regional Council lauded Fischer’s dedication, service, and sacrifices to propel a program that serves as a model within the UBC and the construction industry. Joe Byrne, executive secretary-treasurer, congratulated both Drake and Fisher.

“Tom Fischer’s tenure has been transformative,” Byrne said. “It will be remembered for the significant improvements made to our training facilities, delivery of curriculum and a significant culture change. By his side during most of that work was Ziven Drake. The way they have worked cooperatively and effectively gives me tremendous confidence that the excellence of our training programs will continue.”

Mike Holmes, chair of the NASCTF Board of Directors, also offered his thanks and congratulations.

“As a program that serves the interests of both members and our employer partners, we look for paths to mutual success,” he said. “That requires an ability to understand multiple perspectives and create a positive and supportive environment. To know Tom is to understand how well suited he is to do that. Some of us have learned more from Tom about professionalism and purpose than we have carpentry skills.

“We are lucky to have someone, in Ziven, who has not only been a great asset to Tom and the program, but will continue and expand on his work,” Holmes said.

The NASCTF Board of Directors consists of 9 labor trustees and 14 management trustees (both contractor and association members) throughout the 7-state region. They participate in shaping the apprenticeship and training programs offered to union carpenters at 14 training sites throughout New York and New England.  The program oversees 2,500 apprentices as well as programs that help journey level members advance their careers by keeping their skills current as the construction industry changes.