Award Winning Journalist Joining Public Employees Federation

ALBANY, NY (08/04/2020) (readMedia)-- The Public Employees Federation (PEF) announced today that award winning Times Union journalist, Brendan Lyons, will be joining the PEF team as Director of Communications, effective August 17, 2020. Lyons replaces Jane Briggs who is retiring at the end of August.

Lyons comes to PEF following a long career at the Times Union, beginning in 1998 as a crime reporter, becoming editor of the investigations team and most recently as senior editor overseeing the Capital Bureau and Investigations.

PEF President Wayne Spence said, "Brendan is a superb communicator with a deep understanding of New York state government and the unique communications needs of PEF and unions in general. As Communications Director, Brendan will lead the creation of strategic communications plans, including messaging and content that connect overall communication goals with PEF members, elected officials and the community, expand PEF's online and social media presence and ensure PEF communications across all platforms advance the union's vision and mission."

Lyons said, "I am very excited to join PEF and begin work with an outstanding team. In these extraordinary times, I look forward to advancing PEF's internal and external communication efforts to support the union in its representation of its members. "

Spence added, "With his wealth of expertise and knowledge, we believe Brendan Lyons is the ideal choice to assume the role of PEF Director of Communications."