By Toni Davis

RALEIGH –  The State Employees Association of North Carolina's Board of Governors recently voted to extend the contract of Dana S. Cope, executive director of SEANC, for an additional five years.  Cope has served as the SEANC executive director since April 2000.

Upon renewal of his contract Cope said, "I look forward to continuing my support for public services and the people who provide them."  In addition to his role as executive director, Cope serves on the Service Employees International Union's Executive Committee as a vice president of the 2.1 million person union.

The SEANC executive director serves as chief executive, lobbyist and public spokesman for the 55,000-member association. The association, headquartered in Raleigh, advocates on behalf of public services and the people who provide them to governmental and legislative leaders. Cope is SEANC's chief executive officer responsible for managing the association's 50-person professional office staff. Cope served on SEIU's International Board from 2008 to 2012.

Prior to his SEANC service, Cope had been director of Governmental Affairs for the North Carolina Department of Labor since 1992.  In that position, he maintained close contact with the General Assembly and Congress on labor-related issues.  From  1988 to 1992, prior to joining the Labor Department, Cope owned and operated a political consulting firm in Washington, DC.

Cope is a native of Dallas, Texas, and a graduate of Southern Methodist University.  He also holds a certificate from Harvard Law School on negotiating techniques.  Cope resides in Raleigh with his wife, Melinda, and two sons.

SEANC, SEIU Local 2008 is the South's leading state employees' association 55,000 members strong.

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