Beacon Hires New HR Director Joel Pichardo To Replace Sara Morris Amid Arbitration Hearings
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During an immense amount of debate about how zoning might be changed in the Fishkill Creek (possible hotel at Madame Brett Park) and the Fishkill Avenue Corridor (Route 52), the City of Beacon hired a new Human Resources (HR) Director, Joel Pichardo, on its September 8th meeting, as generated by Robot Heart at News In Town that ALBB has verified.
Beacon’s previous HR Director, Sara Morris, was first hired by the City of Beacon at its 3/21/2022 City Council Meeting. At the time, she competed against 63 submitted resumes, according to her Recommendation Letter to appoint her. According to that letter: “Sara is in close alignment with the City of Beacon’s goal to professionalize our workforce, improve trainings, increase and support DEI initiatives, and continue to build a respectful and rewarding work environment for all our employees.”
Sara resigned on July 17th, 2026, according to her letter recommending Joel’s appointment. This was after ALBB’s article published in May 2026 about the termination of Highway Department employee James Cotrell in January 2026, one day after he submitted a Complaint for Targeted Harassment, which alleged several grievances, including being videoed multiple times by a fellow employee during employment hours. James pursued an arbitration hearing, which was to begin in September 2026.
The People of Beacon were not told of Sara’s resignation, but rumors began circulating that she was considering leaving in August, which is now known as being after her official resignation date that was not announced.
Also not currently involved in leadership involving James’ Harassment Complaint case is his CSEA Union Representative, Jordan Rider. A different representative has been assigned, which ALBB is cross verifying.
The only way the community learned of Sara’s resignation was when Mayor Lee Kyriacou introduced legislation at the 10/5/2026 City Council Meeting to give mid-year raises to high level staff positions in an effort to keep them, as ALBB reported. At that meeting, Mayor Kyriacou stated that the legislation was inspired by the departure of one employee.
That evening ALBB’s Publisher and Reporter, Katie used the 2nd Public Comment period to ask the Council to state who the departed employee was. Mayor Kyriacou answered that it was HR Director Sara Morris. The Mayor also stated that she went on to serve as HR Director to the NY State Bridge Authority.
ALBB has submitted FOILs for Sara’s starting salary, ending salary, and salary at the NY State Bridge Authority to verify if the impetus given by Mayor Kyriacou is accurate. ALBB has FOILed for the new HR Director Joel’s starting salary.
About Joel Pichardo
The recommendation letter for Joel Pichardo is almost identical to Sara’s years ago, minus the phrase “DEI.” Joel competed against 120 resume applications. His experience is largely in the private sector, with his most recent being for the media publication Consumer Reports.
According to Sara’s letter for Joel, dated September 2, 2026: “Joel has more than twenty (20) years’ experience in Human Resources and stood out as the strongest candidate in terms of current and prior positions in the public sector and with unionized workforces.
“Currently the People & Culture Partner for Consumer Reports, Joel previously served as the Human Resources Manager and HR Business Partner for several employers. In all roles, he handled most of the responsibilities necessary for our position, including negotiation with unions, workforce planning, management of employee relations, and administration of health and retirement benefit.
“During the interview, it was apparent that in addition to his experience, and skills, Joel is in close alignment with the City of Beacon’s goal to professionalize our workforce, improve trainings, and continue to build a respectful and rewarding work environment for all our employees. I would appreciate your consideration of this appointment at the Council’s meeting on September 8, 2026, which would allow Joel to begin in this new role on or around October 5th.”
Joel’s submitted resume can be found here.
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