Emanuel (Manny) R. Yllescas was born and raised in Bushwick, Brooklyn, and is the youngest of six children to his mother Maria from Bayamón, Puerto Rico, and his father Joaquin who immigrated from Guayaquil, Ecuador. Manny graduated from Transit Tech High School in East New York in 2005, where he first developed an interest in the field of construction through electrical shop classes. He was selected to represent the school’s Career and Technical Education Program, which provided him with training in installing, repairing, and maintaining industrial, commercial, and residential electrical systems including motor control and AC/DC circuitry. It was here that Manny recognized his passion for the electrical industry and his aspiration to join Local 3. To ensure that he met his goal, Manny completed a voluntary pre-apprenticeship training program aimed at securing NYC union positions.
In 2006, Manny joined the Local 3 Apprenticeship Program, becoming a first-generation member of Local 3, IBEW. Manny has served on the “A” Apprenticeship Advisory Committee as a Board of Directors member, Vice Chairman, and Chairman. Currently, Manny serves on the Elechester 4th Housing Board, the Santiago Iglesias Educational Society, and the Local 3 Grievance Committee.
Combining his passion for motorcycles and his dedication to the union, Manny joined the Local 3 Motorcycle Club. He has served the club as Legislative Chair, Vice President, and currently President. As a member and leader of the club, Manny has helped coordinate events such as the Queen’s Special Olympics and Christmas Toy Drives for adults with special needs.
Manny was a Local 3 delegate at the Central Labor Council Young Workers Conference in Albany, New York, and has attended the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus (EWMC) annual Leadership Conferences. He also volunteered for disaster relief bringing power to water filtration systems in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria devastated the area in 2017.
At the September 2024 General Membership meeting, Manny was sworn in by Business Manager Chris Erikson to serve on the Examining Board of Local 3 and fulfill the unexpired term of Kevin Collins.
Currently, Manny lives in Electchester and participates in the NYPD 107th Precinct Community Council, supporting the neighborhood where many Local 3 members live and work.
