What is NFFE 1998?
Who Represents NFFE Local 1998?

Passport Specialist
Philadelphia, PA
Lee’s career at the Department of State started in 2007 as a Passport Specialist at the Philadelphia Passport Agency. In 2010 Lee became a member of NFFE1998 and unexpectedly won the role of Senior Steward at the Philadelphia Passport Agency that same year. Three years later Lee ran for the NFFE1998 National Recording Secretary position and lost. But fortunately, there was an open Trustee position that Lee was able to fill in order to stay involved at the National Level. The year 2016 saw Lee again seeking the vote of his fellow members for the NFFE1998 National Recording Secretary position. But alas, once again it was not meant to be. Fortunately, Lee was able to stay involved at the National Level as a part of the National Collective Bargaining Agreement Team. As we know things are never static within the ranks of NFFE1998. In 2018 Lee was appointed to the position of Recording Secretary to finish the term of the National Recording Secretary as the recording secretary was moving on to a new role within the department. The year 2019 brought an unexpected change to the President and Vice President positions for NFFE1998. And with that Lee was promoted to the position of Vice President and then President for the remainder of the year. And it is with great pleasure to say that the most recent NFFE1998 election found Lee carrying enough votes to become your President until 2022.

Passport Specialist
PPT/CPC
More information to come
Brianne Martinen
Passport Specialist
PPT/NPC
More information to come
Jonah Baker
Passport Specialist
PPT/CPC
More information to come
Richard Phelps
Passport Specialist
PPT/New York
I’m originally from Suffolk County, Medford, NY. I received my BA in Political Theory and Postmodern American literature from the State University at Albany in 2008 and my MA in Work and Labor Policy in 2022 and also became a recipient of the Rosa Parks Scholarship. After completing my undergrad education, I served as a Peace Corps education volunteer in the country of Zambia from 2012 to 2014 where I taught English as a second language and established a library at the local primary school that I volunteered for and assisted other NGOs to help with the installation of electricity and running water for several local villages.
I joined the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Passport and Visa Services, August 2015. I was elected to the local union steward position at the New York Passport agency in 2018. Under my stewardship, I’ve successfully fought to establish a new dress code policy and the agency’s first local duty officer policy and a local seating agreement. Additionally, I have also established a morale committee with the agency and removed a past practice outlawing a “No talking” policy at the office. With the help of President Lee Wentz and VP Boyd Hinton and the National Officers, I have elevated sensitive topics and issues to Department officials at the Directorate level and OIG to address local auditing procedures, training practices, discrimination and unethical conduct involving local couriers at the New York Agency.
I’ve advocated for myself in an EEO case that involved the New York Passport Agency in a retaliation case against me for providing union consultation and assistance to bargaining unit employees. The case was adjudicated by the U.S. EEOC Commission, whereby the outcome was in my favor.
In 2022 I was a co-advocate for the local by assisting VP Boyd Hinton in writing a position brief paper for the WSL arbitration case. The case involved whether the Agency violated the Parties Master Agreement, laws and or regulations and policy when it changed the Weather and Safety Leave rights for bargaining unit employees without completing bargaining with the Union which resulted in the union prevailing in this case. As of 2022, I was appointed to serve as the Chief Steward for NFFE Local 1998.
During my personal time, I enjoy a good gin martini with a cigar. Most importantly, I love spending time with my family and friends and learning new things.