Employee Benefit Funds Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Employee Benefit Funds has 4 executives leading key functions including operations, information technology, human resources, and digital infrastructure.

Committed to enhancing the well-being of union members, Employee Benefit Funds delivers comprehensive health, pension, and wellness services to the New York City hotel industry workforce.

Leadership Roles at Employee Benefit Funds

  • Chief Operating Officer - Robert Lafferty
  • Chief Information Officer - Jonathan Cerezo
  • Chief Human Resources Officer - William Torres
  • Deputy Chief Information Officer - Benjamin Farber
  • Robert Lafferty - Chief Operating Officer

    Robert Lafferty, the Chief Operating Officer at Employee Benefit Funds, manages the daily delivery of health, pension, and legal services for over 90,000 union members. Overseeing the administrative workflows, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that benefit claims processing remains efficient and accurate for retirees and active hotel employees. This leadership role involves coordinating with external healthcare providers to maintain high standards for dental and eye care programs. By streamlining internal operational procedures, Robert Lafferty directly impacts the quality of life for the entire membership base. The Chief Operating Officer also monitors regional service metrics to ensure that the organization meets the complex needs of the New York City hotel industry. Through rigorous oversight of benefit distribution, Lafferty secures the long-term stability of these essential member resources while maintaining strict compliance with industry regulations and union requirements.
    Robert Lafferty

    Jonathan Cerezo - Chief Information Officer

    Jonathan Cerezo, the Chief Information Officer at Employee Benefit Funds, directs the digital transformation of health and pension management systems. Overseeing the integration of virtual health visit platforms, the Chief Information Officer ensures that members access wellness resources with maximum security and ease. This leadership role involves architecting robust data architectures to protect sensitive member information while facilitating seamless communication between the organization and its 90,000 constituents. By modernizing the technological infrastructure, Jonathan Cerezo directly supports the expansion of digital health assistance programs across the New York City hotel sector. The Chief Information Officer also collaborates with the executive team to align technical capabilities with long-term strategic goals. Through constant innovation in software deployment, Cerezo maintains the integrity of the benefit delivery network, ensuring that all digital touchpoints remain reliable for retirees and active union members alike.
    Jonathan Cerezo

    William Torres - Chief Human Resources Officer

    William Torres, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Employee Benefit Funds, manages the internal talent strategy and organizational culture supporting the delivery of union benefits. Overseeing the recruitment and development of staff, the Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the workforce possesses the expertise required to handle complex pension and health benefit inquiries. This leadership role involves fostering an environment of service excellence that directly benefits the 90,000 union members and dependents served by the organization. By implementing comprehensive training programs, William Torres directly impacts the efficiency of member support services within the New York City hotel industry. The Chief Human Resources Officer also aligns personnel policies with the broader mission of providing high-quality wellness and legal resources. Through strategic workforce planning, Torres maintains the operational capacity necessary to meet the evolving needs of retirees and active employees throughout the region.

    Benjamin Farber - Deputy Chief Information Officer

    Benjamin Farber, the Deputy Chief Information Officer at Employee Benefit Funds, executes the tactical implementation of cybersecurity protocols and network maintenance. Overseeing the daily stability of the information systems, the Deputy Chief Information Officer ensures that the infrastructure supporting health and pension data remains resilient against emerging threats. This leadership role involves managing the technical support teams that assist members with virtual health visits and online benefit portals. By optimizing system performance, Benjamin Farber directly impacts the accessibility of wellness resources for the 90,000 union members in the New York City hotel industry. The Deputy Chief Information Officer also coordinates with the broader IT department to deploy scalable solutions that handle high volumes of member traffic. Through meticulous attention to system uptime and data protection, Farber supports the organization's commitment to providing reliable, secure, and efficient benefit services to all retirees and active participants.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Employee Benefit Funds Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Employee Benefit Funds?
    Employee Benefit Funds is led by Robert Lafferty (Chief Operating Officer), along with executives such as Jonathan Cerezo (Chief Information Officer) and William Torres (Chief Human Resources Officer).
    Who is part of Employee Benefit Funds’s executive team?
    The executive team of Employee Benefit Funds includes leaders such as Robert Lafferty (Chief Operating Officer), Jonathan Cerezo (Chief Information Officer), William Torres (Chief Human Resources Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Employee Benefit Funds have?
    Employee Benefit Funds has 4 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Employee Benefit Funds’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Employee Benefit Funds includes roles such as Chief Operating Officer, Chief Information Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer, Deputy Chief Information Officer.