Joe Rugola has served as the Executive Director of OAPSE/AFSCME for 34 years. As Director, Rugola served for 10 years as Field Director and as a Field Representative. He, with the support and assistance of the Executive Board, has guided OAPSE through dramatic changes during the 1990’s that stabilized the union’s finances and led to a period of dramatic growth in membership.

After his appointment as Executive Director, Rugola was elected as an International Vice President of AFSCME International, and still serves on that Board as the senior IVP.

In 2007, Rugola was elected to the Presidency of the Ohio AFL-CIO, working as a volunteer in that full-time position while still heading up OAPSE. After he left the Ohio AFL-CIO, he continued to serve on the Executive Board of the Federation and still holds that post today.

Rugola is recognized in the trade union movement as one of Ohio’s most aggressive advocates for the welfare of OAPSE members and a supporter of working families across Ohio. He is 1972 graduate of The Ohio State University.