Convention delegates put their unanimous seal of approval on the results from district caucuses, which selected nominees for international vice president and members of the International Executive Council earlier in the week. Each of the 11 vice presidents and eight IEC members were elected on Sept. 21 after having their names placed in nomination by a brother from their home district.

All 19 officers, plus International President Lonnie R. Stephenson, International Secretary-Treasurer Salvatore "Sam" Chilia and IEC Chairman Christopher Erikson were then sworn in by President Emeritus Edwin D. Hill.

The following are excerpts from the acceptance speeches of each elected officer:

Vice President William F. Daniels
Toronto Local 636 Business Manager Barry Brown
nominated Vice President Daniels.

"You have my absolute commitment to do the best job that I can on behalf of IBEW members in Canada, to increase market share and membership. And I know unequivocally that by working together, we will be able to accomplish those objectives."

Vice President Michael P. Monahan
Boston Local 103 President Lou Antonellis
nominated Vice President Monahan.

"As you've heard me say before, 'If we don't take change by the hand, change will take us by the throat.' Winston Churchill [said that]. We have a lot of work to do, and I'm looking forward to the challenges that face us over the next five years."

Vice President Donald C. Siegel
Reading, Pa., Local 743 Business Manager Ryan Helms
nominated Vice President Siegel.

"It's difficult to express in words just how much it means to me to have had the support and confidence of the local unions that I've had the privilege to represent these last 14 years. … My mission in the IBEW is to improve the economic and social condition of the members."

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

"I'm humbled and honored with the support that you've shown me in the past five years. … Thanks to all of you, we've grown to be known as the 'Fighting Fourth' of the IBEW. We fight for working families, and we've made organizing our No. 1 priority."

Vice President Joseph S. Davis
Atlanta Local 613 Business Manager Gene O'Kelley
nominated Vice President Davis.

"I appreciate the Fifth District delegates and staff for all the support they give us, and we do everything we possibly can to help the members in our district. I'll say the same thing I said 10 years ago: I'll do my very best to be the best vice president I can possibly be."

Vice President David J. Ruhmkorff
Indianapolis Local 481 Business Manager Steve Menser
nominated Vice President Ruhmkorff.

"I'm both humbled and honored to accept the nomination for Sixth District Vice President. This is truly the highlight of my IBEW career. ... We have been given the opportunity to guide this great union, and I can't wait to get started."

Vice President Steven M. Speer
Phoenix Local 640 Business Manager Dean Wine
nominated Vice President Speer.

"When I started on this path 41 years ago, my goal was to become a respected journeyman wireman and a good IBEW brother. I never could have imagined the day would come when my brothers and sisters would express such confidence in me. I am more grateful than I can explain."

Vice President Jerry Bellah
Helena, Mont., Local 233 Business Manager Keith Allen
nominated Vice President Bellah.

"Other than my wedding day and the birth of my children, this is without a doubt the biggest honor and most humbling experience of my life. … Over the next five years, I will work tirelessly to support your local unions, both representing and growing our membership."

Vice President John J. O'Rourke
San Francisco Local 6 delegate Tom O'Rourke
nominated his brother, Vice President O'Rourke.

"I have always maintained that the high point of my career was the day I received my journeyman wireman's ticket, but this comes pretty close. … Our district has a rich culture of organizing, and I'm committed to leading the charge and continuing the tradition of organizing all those in the electrical industry into our local unions."

Vice President Brent E. Hall
Charleston, S.C., Local 776 Business Manager Chuck Moore
nominated Vice President Hall.

"I want to thank the Tenth District delegates for having the confidence to elect me as their vice president. They have bestowed an honor that I can't describe in words. It is my pledge to them that I will work each and every day to move the Tenth District and the IBEW forward."

Vice President Curtis E. Henke
Hazen, N.D., Local 1593 Business Manager Jason Frank
nominated Vice President Henke.

"This opportunity is the result of this great Brotherhood, the IBEW. So many before us have paved the way for our successes. … As leaders in the greatest union in the world, we are truly blessed."

IEC member Joseph P. Calabro
Pittsburgh Local 5 Business Manager Michael Dunleavy
nominated IEC member Calabro.

"Thank you, Brothers and Sisters, for giving me this opportunity to serve the members of this great union. … Our founders dared to dream, dared to fight, dared to overcome incredible odds to build this union. … And now it falls to us to continue in that tradition."

IEC member Myles J. Calvey
Boston Local 2222 President Ed Hastings
nominated IEC member Calvey.

"I am blessed to be here in a union leadership position, and I live by that great George Meany credo: 'Labor never quits. We never give up the fight, no matter how tough the odds, no matter how long it takes.' Thank you."

IEC member James D. Burgham
Canton, Ohio, Local 540 Business Manager Phillip Williams
nominated IEC member Burgham.

"I commit to each and every one of you to work hard, do my best and consider how each decision I make will impact the entire Brotherhood of the IBEW and the labor movement in this country."

IEC member William W. Riley
Orlando, Fla., Local 222 Business Manager Mike Bell
nominated IEC member Riley.

"As far as we have come from [our founding] in the Henry Miller House, we must continue to fight for the welfare of our members, and that is the sole promise that I make to you today: that I will continue to work as hard as possible and do everything I can for the good of the Brotherhood."

IEC member Michael D. Walter
Alton, Ill., Local 649 Business Manager Charles Yancey
nominated IEC member Walter.

"I pledge to do everything within my ability to serve in your best interests … So for all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, our cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream of our founding fathers shall never die."

IEC member Chris J. Wagner
Arlington, Texas, Local 220 Business Manager Alan Cutler
nominated IEC member Wagner.

"I can assure you that I will do everything in my power to serve you and this great Brotherhood with integrity and devotion. … Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that I would be standing before you today in this capacity."

IEC member Patrick Lavin
Diamond Bar, Calif., Local 47 members Colin and Casey Lavin
nominated their father, IEC member Lavin.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all the delegates of the Seventh IEC caucus for their confidence. … I stand here completely honored and humbled as your Seventh District IEC member and accept your gracious nomination for the fourth time."

IEC member Ross Galbraith
Saint John, N.B., Local 502 Business Manager Jean-Marc Ringuette
nominated IEC member Galbraith.

"As U.S. President Obama said this past June, 'The world needs more Canada.' I want you to know that I'll always work as hard as I can to ensure our unique Canadian perspective is heard and understood because our entire Brotherhood is stronger for it."