EBF Benefits Specialists
CSEA Employee Benefit Fund (EBF) regional benefits specialists serve as a liaison between the EBF, members and the CSEA staff. Benefits Specialists assist Labor Relations Specialists, local government negotiating teams, and bargaining units during the contract negotiation process. They provide dental and vision benefit comparisons, give in-depth presentations to CSEA officers, bargaining units and management negotiating teams and assess the appropriate rate structure and participation levels applicable to obtaining and implementing EBF benefits.
State Benefits Specialists also assist in the daily service of CSEA State and Unified Court System members with inquiries, questions and issues pertaining to the EBF benefits for these bargaining units. State Benefits Specialists are also available to provide presentations at membership meetings, information days and health fairs to help educate the State and UCS members on their benefit packages.
To find out more information about how the valuable benefits offered by the EBF can help the members in the bargaining units you are in and how to obtain them, please contact your Benefits Specialist. We are YOUR benefit resource!
Candace Sclafani serves as a Senior Benefits Specialist for CSEA Region 1. Prior to joining the EBF she worked in retail as a Customer Relationship & Marketing Manager. She graduated from Alfred University in 2009. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in expanded media and printmaking. This included coursework in marketing and family business management.
Courtney Sim graduated from Hudson Valley Community College with an Associate of Arts with a concentration in physical education in 2010. She joined the EBF in 2022 taking on the role of State Benefits Specialist and social media coordinator. In November 2022 she was promoted to represent the EBF in Region 6. Prior to joining the EBF team, Courtney served the community throughout her eight-year tenure with The Village of Colonie. When she is not helping members of the EBF, you can find Courtney coaching her Special Olympic athletes or cheering on the New York Yankees.
Erin Bazinet graduated from Le Moyne College in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and a minor in Management Information Systems. She has served as CSEA Region 4 Senior Benefits Specialist of the Benefit Fund since 2010 having previously worked in Public Relations for the Albany Medical College Alumni Association for a five year period.
Andrew Miller serves as the region 5 Senior Benefits Specialist. He graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Prior to joining the CSEA Employee Benefit Fund team, he worked in management at the ADK Brewery and in investor services with Ultimus Leverpoint. In his free time, Andrew loves to walk his golden retriever named Archie, and watch hockey. He also enjoys jazz and playing his saxophone.
Michael Wagner serves as a CSEA Employee Benefit Fund (EBF) Sr. Benefits Specialist for units in CSEA Western Region 6. He started his career with the EBF in November 2000 as a Data Entry Clerk. Over the years he has served in a variety of other roles at the EBF and in 2023 he was promoted to his current position. Prior to his career with the EBF, he worked for the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. He earned his Associate’s Degree in Physical Therapy before joining the EBF. He then earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business while working.
Shane Rapping serves as one of the EBF’s State Benefits Specialists. He graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Audio/Radio Production and a minor in History. He then worked at Eagle Country Radio in South Burlington, Vermont as the Traffic Director/General Office Manager. Following this, he obtained Master’s Degree in Communications with a focus in New Media and Marketing from Southern New Hampshire University in 2022. Shane enjoys video games and spending his free time playing ultimate frisbee, basketball, and snowboarding.
Kylie Chard attended Hudson Valley Community College, and began her career with the CSEA Employee Benefit Fund in 2012. Kylie worked in the EBF's Member Services Unit and specialized in eligibility and enrollment. Kylie excelled at helping member's understand their EBF benefits, with a special emphasis on the EBF's vision plan. She was promoted to the position of State Marketing Specialist in January 2015.
