October/November 2011

Convention Ratifies Caucus Choices for
IVPs and IEC Members
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Convention delegates unanimously ratified the choices of district caucuses that selected nominees Sept. 19 for International Vice President and International Executive Council. Each officer's name was placed in nomination by a brother or sister delegate from the district. The following are excerpts from the acceptance remarks of the winning candidates.





First District Vice President

Fredericton, New Brunswick, Local 37 Business Manager Ross Galbraith nominated Vice President Phillip Flemming.

"I gratefully accept the nomination, and I thank the Canadian delegates for the trust they have placed in me again at this Convention. I won't let you down."




Vice President Phillip Flemming


Second District Vice President

Bridgeport, Conn., Local 488 Business Manager Peter Carroll nominated his brother, Vice President Frank J. Carroll.

"I stand before you once again honored and privileged to represent the delegates of the Second District as their vice president of the greatest labor organization in the world, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers."




Vice President Frank J. Carroll


Third District Vice President

Reading, Pa., Local 743 Business Manager Melvin Fishburn nominated Vice President Donald C. Siegel.

"I am truly grateful and you have my pledge that I will do all I can to live up to your expectations as vice president. All of you in this room can be proud of each and every International Vice President, International Executive Council member and top officer."




Vice President Donald C. Siegel


Fourth District Vice President

Mansfield, Ohio., Local 688 Business Manager Carl Neutzling nominated Vice President Kenneth W. Cooper.

"I was sitting at the concert last night and Bruce Hornsby said something to all of us. He said ‘that's just the way it is. Some things will never change.' And then comes my favorite part: ‘Oh, don't you believe them.' We can change history by working together."




Vice President Kenneth W. Cooper


Fifth District Vice President

Tupelo, Miss., Local 1028 Business Manager Beverly Smith nominated Vice President Joseph S. Davis.

"In the Fifth District, our staff all works together as a team, and we've got some of the best business managers in the Brotherhood. We're pleased things are going well in the sunny South, so come and see us, we'd appreciate it."




Vice President Joseph S. Davis


Sixth District Vice President

Rock Island, Ill., Local 145 Business Manager Scott Verschoore nominated Vice President Lonnie R. Stephenson.

"We have many challenges before us over the next five years, and I can tell you that I will work tirelessly to offer my support as we not only maintain but grow our membership. No one person can do it by themselves. We have to do it together as a progressive team to overcome the adversities before us, and succeed in our goal of growing this great union."




Vice President Lonnie R. Stephenson


Seventh District Vice President

Tucson, Ariz., Local 570 Business Manager Michael Verbout nominated Vice President Jonathan B. Gardner.

"There is a saying that nothing is impossible for the person who doesn't have to do it. I am proud to say that our locals are not sitting on the sidelines, looking for easy solutions to complex problems. They are moving forward by adopting working solutions to the many problems we face."




Vice President Jonathan B. Gardner


Eighth District Vice President

Denver Local 111 Business Manager Michael Byrd nominated Vice President Ted C. Jensen.

"I have never been prouder of the IBEW. International President Ed Hill put forward a leadership plan, and this morning you funded that vision. Because of what you did today, we can promise you a better and more secure IBEW."




Vice President Ted C. Jensen


Ninth District Vice President

San Luis Obispo, Calif., Local 639 Business Manager Mark Simonin nominated Vice President Michael S. Mowrey.

"I am humbled and honored, but it's not about me. It's about the staff, the local unions that make up the Ninth District and the members they represent. That is what makes this district—and union—strong."




Vice President Michael S. Mowrey


Tenth District Vice President

Chattanooga, Tenn., Local 175 Business Manager Barry Key nominated Vice President Robert P. Klein.

"While we still have many struggles and challenging times ahead, we will continue to press forward and remain focused in order to achieve our goals, knowing that even in the darkest of times we will not give up because we are a family."




Vice President Robert P. Klein


Eleventh District Vice President

Hazen, N.D., Local 1593 Business Manager Darrell Kelsch nominated Vice President Curtis E. Henke.

"I want to leave you with a short quote I read the other day: ‘The consequences of today are determined by the actions of the past. To change your future, alter your decisions today.' Brothers and sisters, this quote couldn't be more appropriate."




Vice President Curtis E. Henke


First District International Executive Council

Scranton, Pa., Local 81 Business Manager Jack Flanagan nominated IEC member Joseph P. Calabro.

"As I look over this hall, I see not only the delegates in this room, but the brothers and sisters you represent. I see an organization that will stand up to the corporate CEOs and fight for workers' rights. I see a powerful team united in one common cause."




IEC member Joseph P. Calabro


Second District International Executive Council

Worcester, Mass., Local 2325 Business Manager David Keating nominated IEC member Myles J. Calvey.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your tremendous support in our battle against Verizon. We don't have a contract yet, but the confidence you have installed in our members at Verizon will never be forgotten."




IEC member Myles J. Calvey


Third District International Executive Council

Steubenville, Ohio, Local 246 Business Manager Kyle Brown nominated IEC member John R. Clarke.

"I'm humbled. The labor movement has allowed me to exceed my goals and aspirations and become part of the team leading our Brotherhood in the fight for our future."




IEC member John R. Clarke


Fourth District International Executive Council

Atlanta Local 613 Business Manager Gene O'Kelley nominated IEC member William W. Riley.

"Three years ago, I was selected to represent the Fourth District on the IEC. Today, I have been asked to continue this service by delegates. I will continue to express my devotion to you and the IBEW by serving with integrity, loyalty and devotion."




IEC member William W. Riley


Fifth District International Executive Council

St. Louis Local 1455 Michael Datillo nominated IEC member Michael D. Walter.

"I thank all the delegates for your confidence and to my mentors—past and present—who reached out and asked me to get more involved. I ask all of you to identify the young members in your locals, such as those in attendance here today, and ask them to get involved."




IEC member Michael D. Walter


Sixth District International Executive Council

Beaumont, Texas, Local 479 Business Manager David Gonzales nominated IEC member Joe P. Smith.

"I'm grateful for this opportunity to serve. I want to say thank you for your support today and for going forward. You can count on me to not only represent you, but to provide ongoing communications between you and International Executive Council."




IEC member Joe P. Smith


Seventh District International Executive Council

San Francisco Local 6 Business Manager John O'Rourke nominated IEC member Patrick Lavin.

"I stand here before you as a proud yet humble member of this great Brotherhood. Sisters and brothers, it's my honor to serve you once again and I thank you for this opportunity."




IEC member Patrick Lavin


Eighth District International Executive Council

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Local 625 Business Manager Tim Swinamer nominated IEC member Solomon Furer.

"I look forward to the new challenge of being on the IEC and I pledge to all IBEW members in Canada and to the entire membership that I will give it my all, every day."




IEC member Solomon Furer