Updated:
United Food & Commercial Workers, Local #919 (UFCW)
UFCW Local 919 is a Connecticut union pension fund led by Mark Espinosa, deploying capital into buyout private equity for grocery and retail workers.
United Food & Commercial Workers, Local #919 (UFCW)
UFCW Local 919 is the pension fund affiliated with the United Food and Commercial Workers union local in Connecticut, representing workers in supermarkets, retail, and food processing. Mark Espinosa serves as President, Jason Dokla as Secretary-Treasurer, and Jorge Cabrera — also a Connecticut State Senator — as Business Representative and Director of Organizing. The fund was established to manage retirement benefits negotiated through collective bargaining agreements with major employers, primarily Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC. The fund's investment strategy focuses on buyout-oriented private equity, as reflected in its allocation pattern. While specific portfolio company names are not publicly disclosed, the fund's mandate is to generate returns that support pension obligations for union members. Its geographic focus is largely domestic, with an emphasis on investments that align with the workforce's long-term stability. The fund likely targets middle-market buyouts and may co-invest with other union-affiliated pension funds through its AFL-CIO connections. Team size and total assets under management are not publicly disclosed. The fund operates out of a single office at 6 Hyde Road in Farmington, Connecticut, and maintains two ancillary entities: the UFCW Local 919 Strike Assistance Fund, which provides emergency aid during labor disputes, and the UFCW Local 919 Scholarship Program for members' families. It is affiliated with the Connecticut State AFL-CIO, providing access to a broader network of union pension capital and shared deal flow. A structural differentiator is its dual role as a pension fund and a labor organization — it negotiates contracts with the same companies it may invest in through private equity, creating an inherent alignment of interests between worker returns and workplace conditions. Governance is overseen by elected union officers, distinguishing it from corporate or government pension funds.
General information
Firm type
Pension Fund
Year founded
—
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Farmington
Corporate office
Farmington, CT, United States
Principals
Mark A. Espinosa
President
Jason Dokla
Secretary-Treasurer
Jorge Cabrera
Business Representative and Director of Organizing
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at UFCW Local 919's pension fund?
The fund is governed by elected officers of UFCW Local 919: President Mark Espinosa, Secretary-Treasurer Jason Dokla, and Business Representative Jorge Cabrera. Investment decisions are likely made by a board of trustees composed of union and employer representatives, though specific investment committee membership is not publicly disclosed.
How does UFCW Local 919 source its deal flow?
As a union-affiliated pension fund, UFCW Local 919 likely accesses private equity investments through the AFL-CIO network and its affiliated pension funds, which often share due diligence and co-investment opportunities. It may also partner with third-party fund managers specializing in buyout strategies.
Is UFCW Local 919 structured as a single fund or does it have multiple investment vehicles?
UFCW Local 919 appears to operate a single pension fund for its members, but also maintains a separate Strike Assistance Fund for emergency support during labor disputes and a Scholarship Program. These are ancillary vehicles, not additional investment pools.
Does UFCW Local 919 invest only in private equity buyouts, or does it also consider other asset classes?
Based on publicly available information, the fund's strategy is classified as buyout-focused private equity. It likely also holds traditional pension assets such as bonds and public equities, but those allocations are not disclosed.
What is the relationship between UFCW Local 919 and Stop & Shop?
Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC is a major employer partner of UFCW Local 919, with collective bargaining agreements covering workers represented by the union. This relationship influences the fund's pension contributions and may shape investment considerations, though direct investments in Stop & Shop are not confirmed.
Who are the key individuals involved in the fund's leadership?
Key named individuals include Mark Espinosa (President), Jason Dokla (Secretary-Treasurer), and Jorge Cabrera (Business Representative and Director of Organizing, also a Connecticut State Senator). Their roles are disclosed in the fund's public filings and labor records.
Does UFCW Local 919 maintain any philanthropic structures separate from the pension fund?
Yes, the fund operates the UFCW Charity Foundation and the UFCW Local 919 Scholarship Program, which support member families and community causes. These are distinct from the pension fund's investment activities.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
Need institutional-grade insight on family offices?
Altss delivers:
Prefer a guided tour?
We’ll walk you through: