Melvyn Francis Hester

Background

Hester, Melvyn Francis was born on December 9, 1938 in Kingston, Jamaica. Came to the United States, 1957. Son of Glen Owen and Ditta Ann (White) Hester.

Education

Bachelor in History with honours, Anderson University, 1961. Master of Arts in Government and History, Indiana University, 1962. Master of Social Work with distinction, Columbia University, 1969.

Career

Graduate assistant, Indiana U., Bloomington, 1961-1962; assistant to the pastor, Lafayette Church of God, Brooklyn, 1962-1969; caseworker, bureau of Child Welfare, New York City, 1963-1966; supervisor/case supervisor, bureau of Child Welfare, New York City, 1966-1972; assistant to director, bureau of Child Welfare, New York City, 1973-1976; assistant to assistant commissioner, Special Superior vena cava syndrome for Children, New York City, 1972-1973; director, Office of Administrative Superior vena cava syndrome, New York City, 1976-1979; executive deputy commissioner, Human Resources Administration, New York City, 1979-1990; general manager, United Federation Teachers, New York City, since 1990. Field instructor Columbia University School Social Work, New York City, 1972-1978. Adjunct Professor Fordham University School Social Work, New York City, 1979-1980, Columbia University School Social Work, 1978-1982.

Mentor National Urban/Rural Fellows, New York City, 1988-1990.

Achievements

• Melvyn Francis Hester has been listed as a noteworthy Labor union executive by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Board directors New York Urban Coalition, since 1992, National Forum for Black Public Admisntrs., Washington, 1986-1992, Caribbean Action Lobby, Washington, 1985-1987. Trustee Riverside Church, 1992-1994. Minister Bronx-Westchester Community Church, since 1993.

Member One Hundred Black Men (chairman international affairs 1989-1992), New Life on the Lower East side (board directors 1988-1990), Columbia University School of Social Work Alumni Association (board directors 1992-1994).

Interests

• Avocations: travel, history, Biblical scholarship, Afro-Brazilian music, Caribbean Art and Literature.

Connections

Married Sarita Stair, 1963 (divorced 1970). Married Laura Pires, February 17, 1990.

Father:

Glen Owen Hester

Mother:

Ditta Ann (White) Hester

Spouse:

Sarita Stair

Spouse:

Laura Pires