The first named CCA Scholarship was named after Carmella Mandanici, wife of the CCA’s legendary President, Al. Although she wasn’t a Captain, Carmella was the strength behind her husband, supporting him while he worked diligently building the CCA as a union. Carmella and Al were married for nearly 51 years at the time of her passing in 1993.

Al Mandanici was CCA President from 1968 to 1985. “Mandy” as he was affectionately known, ran the CCA using the trunk of his car as the office. He was a dynamic labor leader and was responsible for laying the foundation for the CCA to become a modern, strong union. After serving in the military during WWII, Mandy began his career with the Correction Department in 1949, retiring in 1985. He stayed active with the CCA, working as the Retiree Consultant until 1997. Mandy passed away March 19, 2002.

Donald Cranston was CCA President from 1984 to 1991. Donald holds the distinction of being the first (and thus far, the only) person to be president of both the Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association and the Correction Captains’ Association. In 2000, the Correction Department named the Donald J. Cranston Judicial Center in his honor. Donald passed away on April 3, 1999.

Peter became CCA President in 1991. He was responsible for many CCA successes, such as the Wittenberg Arbitration award and the 20-year pension. Peter began his career in 1972 after serving with the U.S. Army in Vietnam. Even after retiring from the Correction Department, Peter continues to serve as the Chairman of the NYS Public Employees Conference to this day.

Capt. Renee Chong served the Department from 1988 until her untimely death in October 2007. Promoted to Captain in 2000, Renee began working as a Captain in RNDC, transferring to QDC in 2006. On Oct. 30, 2007, tragedy struck. Renee’s house caught fire and although she was safely outside, Renee ran back into the inferno to try and rescue her two sons — 5-year-old Noah and 10-year-old Eliott. All three perished. 

Ron became CCA President in 2007. His long career as a union official began as a Delegate for HDM, and he served as the First Vice President under his predecessor for nearly 15 years. Ron was always working diligently for the Captains he represented and was admired by the membership. Ron passed away on March 15, 2016.

Lance Corporal Nicholas J. Whyte is the son of Capt. Andre Whyte. LCpl Whyte served in Iraq with the U.S. Marine Corps. On June 21, 2006, LCpl Whyte made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. LCpl Whyte was killed in Ramadi, Iraq, two days before his 22nd birthday. 

Capt. Charles Harris began his career with the Department in 2005, and was promoted to Captain in 2013. Charles was then assigned to AMKC. In 2017, Charles was elected by his peers as Alternate Delegate. During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Charles continued to serve the Department, working in AMKC. On April 7, 2020, he passed away due to COVID.

Capt. Laforteke Coldwell began her career with the Correction Department in 2013, assigned to OBCC and VCBC. In 2018, Laforteke was promoted to Captain and was assigned to AMKC. Soon thereafter, she was assigned as the steady Captain in AMKC’s Mental Observation Unit. Tragically, Laforteke passed away suddenly on July 9, 2022, at the young age of 34.