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VP
Jon F. Walters Named Secretary-Treasurer
March 2005 IBEW Journal
 International
President Edwin D. Hill appointed, and the International
Executive Council confirmed, Eighth District Vice
President Jon Walters as IBEW International Secretary-Treasurer,
effective March 1, 2005, to fill the unexpired term
of Jerry J. OConnor. Brother Walters comes to Washington
after 22 years as Eighth District Vice President,
where he has represented IBEW members in Colorado,
Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming. During his tenure,
he has played a key role in developing high standards
for members and promoting the IBEW.
"Im
looking forward to the challenge," Walters said. "My
goal is to make it better for the members."
Walters was
initiated into IBEW Local 449 in Pocatello, Idaho,
in 1960. A journeyman wireman, he was elected to
the Local 449 executive board a year after he finished
his apprenticeship. Four years later, he was elected
president. He served as business manager of that
local from 1977 to 1982. He was elected Eighth District
Vice President at the 32nd Convention
in 1982.
President
Hill (r) congratulates newly appointed
International Secretary-Treasurer Walters.
Through the
years, he has been a member of the Idaho State Electrical
Board, the state AFL-CIO Executive Board and the
Rocky Mountain Apprenticeship Conference Steering
Committee. He also served on the board of Energy
for Idaho, a coalition of business, labor and individuals
who direct policy for the states energy needs. In
1972 he was designated Outstanding Young Man of America
for his activism in local and state politics and
his role as a labor leader.
Committed
to fostering labor-management cooperation, Walters
was co-chairman of the IBEW-NECA Council on Industrial
Relations for 22 years. He also represented the IBEW
and labor in general on several statewide committees
including those involving utilities, pensions and
investment and energy. He served as a tireless and
capable IBEW liaison to the 2002 Olympic Winter Games
in Salt Lake City.
Walters was
also instrumental in drafting the "Code of Excellence," which
developed a set of core standards for IBEW members
and employers. The code was developed after the IBEWs
Eighth District nearly lost a major employer, Micron.
Walters said he is anxious to get to work on a new
initiative to address the high cost of health care
for members as well as
fulfill the other obligations of the office, which
include overseeing the finances and membership of the
Brotherhood.
He said he
was humbled to step into the position filled by so
many respected leaders. "I look forward to carrying
on a tradition that has been left by Jerry OConnor,
President Hill, Jack Moore and others. They left
some big shoes to fill."
Walterss
other pursuits include hunting, fishing, skiing and
horses. He and his wife, Theresa, have three children
and three grandchildren. IBEW wishes Brother Walters
much success in his new position.
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