Newton Jones, First Vice President

Newton B. Jones has served as the Boilermakers International president since July 24, 2003, when the International Executive Council elected him to complete the unexpired term of International President Charles W. Jones, who resigned after 20 years in office. In July 2006, delegates to the Boilermakers 31st Consolidated Convention in Las Vegas unanimously re-elected Newton to a five-year term.

Newton has served the Boilermakers union in various capacities over the past 33 years ― as a construction boilermaker; organizer; director of organizing and communications; managing editor of the Boilermaker Reporter and Boilermaker Organizer newspapers; and as the International vice president of the Boilermakers’ southeast area.

Newton began his career as a field construction boilermaker in 1971, working in the jurisdiction of Local 454, Chattanooga, Tenn., on a Georgia Power project. In 1972, he joined Local 203 in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and worked on a refinery job. He later transferred his membership to Local 199 in Jacksonville, Florida, and worked mainly as a high rigger and as a certified pressure welder.

In 1981, Newton joined the International staff as an organizer; he was appointed director of organizing and communications in 1986. He was the principal architect of the Boilermakers’ Fight Back construction organizing strategy, an innovative and effective approach to organizing in the construction industry. As managing editor of the Boilermaker Reporter, he computerized the Boilermakers publications department, and oversaw the modernization of all computer operations at Boilermaker headquarters. As International vice president for the southeast area (1994-2003), Newton negotiated one of the largest increases to the wage and benefits package the area has enjoyed.

While working as a Boilermaker, Newton also attended the University of South Florida and Florida State University. He graduated from the Harvard Trade Union Program in 1985.

Terry O’Sullivan, Second Vice President

Terry O’Sullivan became the tenth General President of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) on January 1, 2000, and is dedicated to growing his union’s membership and market share. O’Sullivan’s mantra is “organize or die.” Under his leadership, the union also has significantly expanded its efforts in, and commitment to, member activism, capital strategies, grassroots politics, labor-management cooperation, journeyworker upgrade training, apprenticeship, and leadership education. Recognizing that labor and management share many of the same concerns and interests, he has built alliances with a wide range of owners, contractors, and business groups.

In 2011, O’Sullivan led delegates at the union’s 24th International Convention to pass a resolution that significantly increased LIUNA members’ investment in political action. The resolution has raised more than $15 million per election cycle to ensure that elected officials hear the voices of LIUNA members in the halls of Congress, and “Feel the Power” of LIUNA at the ballot box. The union’s PAC has raised its profile, and is now one of the top PACs in the country, working to help elect politicians who support issues of importance to the proud men and women of LIUNA.

In 2006, O’Sullivan led delegates at the 23rd International Convention to pass one of the most important resolutions in the union’s history, devoting to LIUNA’s organizing efforts 25 cents for every hour worked by a Laborer. This has enabled the union to invest more than $80 million per year in its organizing efforts – more than almost any other union in North America.

A fiery orator who is never afraid to speak his mind, Terry O’Sullivan can rally and inspire a crowd of Laborers one moment, then meet with top corporate leaders the next. He is equally at home on a construction site as he is in a board room.

Terry O’Sullivan and LIUNA have taken leading roles in pushing for comprehensive immigration reform, long-term highway funding, repeal of the ACA’s so-called “Cadillac Tax,” pension reform, fair postal reform, and many other issues of importance to LIUNA members and their families. O’Sullivan is an outspoken and unapologetic advocate for a diverse, realistic, all-of-the-above energy policy that meets North America’s energy needs safely and responsibly. He is a staunch and ardent supporter of the critically important, but long-delayed, Keystone XL Pipeline.

Terry O’Sullivan currently serves as the Labor Co-Chairman of the Laborers’ Training and Education Fund, LIUNA’s national training arm. General President O’Sullivan also holds the following labor and industry leadership positions:

• • Member of the Governing Board of Presidents of the Building and Construction Trades Department (BCTD), AFL-CIO
• • Member of the Executive Council and Executive Committee of the AFL-CIO
• • Board Member and former Chairman, CEO, and President of the Union Labor Life Insurance Company (ULLICO)
• • Labor Chairman of American Income Life (AIL)
• • Chairman of the National Heavy and Highway Coalition
• • Board Member of the National Infrastructure Alliance (NIA)
• • Member of the Management Committee of Americans for Transportation Mobility (ATM)

A long-time, vocal supporter of Sinn Féin and its work to secure a peaceful, just, and united Ireland, Terry O’Sullivan serves as President of New York Friends of Ireland and Chairman of DC Friends of Ireland.

Prior to becoming General President, Terry O’Sullivan served as LIUNA Vice President, Mid-Atlantic Regional Manager, and Assistant to the General President. Before that, he served LIUNA in many positions, including Chief of Staff, Staff Assistant to the General President, Administrator of the LIUNA Tri-Funds, Assistant Director of the LIUNA Construction Department, and Administrator of the West Virginia Laborers’ Training Center. A proud native of San Francisco, California, he joined LIUNA in 1974, and is a long-time member of LIUNA Local Union 1353 in Charleston, West Virginia.

James Callahan, Third Vice President

JAMES T. CALLAHAN is the General President of the International Union of Operating Engineers, a diversified trade union that represents 400,000 operating engineers working as heavy equipment operators, mechanics and surveyors in the construction industry, and stationary engineers, who work in operations and maintenance in building and industrial complexes.  IUOE also represents nurses and other health industry workers, public employees in a wide variety of occupations, and a number of job classifications in the petrochemical industry.

He was elected to a full term as General President at the 38th General Convention on April 28, 2013 after fulfilling the term of retired General President Vincent J. Giblin.

Callahan, a 33-year member and third generation operating engineer, moved up the union’s ranks from member to Shop Steward, Foreman, Trustee, and Business Representative to ultimately lead Local 15 in New York City as its 4th President and Business Manager in 2003.

Callahan began his career as an operating engineer in 1980.  Proficient in all mechanical aspects of maintenance and repair, he was initiated as a shop mechanic in Local 15C.  By 1993, he had worked his way up to maintenance foreman and was an integral part of the team that worked on the World Trade Center site in the aftermath of the terrorist bombing of the parking garage that killed and injured dozens of people.

Eight years later, as a local union Business Agent, Callahan found himself back at the World Trade Center.  This time, he was one of the many operating engineers who responded immediately to the September 11 tragedy and he stayed on to work through the entire recovery effort at Ground Zero.

Callahan was elected to the AFL-CIO Executive Board in March 2012 and also serves on the AFL-CIO Executive Committee.  In addition, he has been an Executive Board member of the New York City Building and Construction Trades Council, the New York City Central Labor Council, and the New York State AFL-CIO.

He and his wife, Fran, are the proud parents of three sons, James, Ian and Patrick.

Joseph Sellers, Jr., Fifth Vice President

Joseph Sellers, Jr., has risen steadily in his 35 years as an industry professional and union official. A second-generation sheet metal worker, his background includes managing the union and its affiliates at every level as well as many years as a leader in education. Sellers’ foundation in the labor movement reflects values learned from his father, whose deep commitment to the union sheet metal industry spanned 55 years as a member and 30 years as a local union officer. Sellers started his apprenticeship in 1980 at Local 19 in Philadelphia and became a journeyman four years later. He was elected to the local’s Executive Board in 1994 and was appointed to be Training Coordinator in 1996. In 2002, after serving as a Business Representative for two years, he became Local 19’s President and Business Manager. In August 2009, Sellers was elected to the international leadership as 11th General Vice President. The General Executive Council elected him to serve as the union’s General Secretary-Treasurer (GST) effective July 1, 2011, and, after finalization of the merger of the Sheet Metal Workers and United Transportation Unions, he was unanimously re-elected as GST by delegates to the first SMART General Convention in August 2014. Sellers became SMART’s General President May 1, 2015. During his tenure as an officer at Local 19, Joe also held a number of important union and industry posts. He was president of many groups, including the Pennsylvania State and New Jersey State Councils of Sheet Metal Workers; the Mechanical Trades District Council of Delaware Valley; the Metropolitan Association of Presidents and Business Representatives; and the board of directors for the National Energy Management Institute (NEMI). He also was Secretary/Treasurer of the Mechanical and Allied Crafts Council of New Jersey. As SMART General Secretary-Treasurer, Sellers led special campaigns to increase outreach and awareness for pension and health care issues, including compliance with the Pension Protection Act and Affordable Care Act. He has held several positions with the AFL-CIO and Building and Construction Trades Department at the national, state, and local levels. He currently serves as chairman of the union’s National Pension Fund and is a trustee for several other national pension and health funds.

Lonnie Stephenson, Sixth Vice President

IBEW International President Lonnie R. Stephenson was born and raised in Rock Island, Ill., which borders Iowa along the Mississippi River.

He began his apprenticeship as an inside wireman in 1975 and was initiated into Rock Island Local 145 in 1976.

Lonnie was very active in his local union, and was elected vice president in 1984 and then served as president from 1987-1992. As local president, Stephenson implemented many new initiatives, including forming an active community service committee and getting the local union’s building recognized as a Red Cross Disaster Center, which was utilized during flooding of the Quad City area in 1997. He was appointed assistant business agent in 1991 and was elected business manager in 1996. As business manager, Lonnie was very aggressive in organizing, and his membership grew from 700 members to over 1,100 members during his tenure. One of Lonnie’s proudest moments as business manager was when a nonunion electrician stopped in his office to ask how he could join the IBEW because it was too strong of a union area and he had to travel for his employer to find work.

Then-International President Edwin D. Hill recognized Lonnie’s dedication and appointed him as an International Representative assigned to the Sixth District in 2002.

On September 1, 2010, Lonnie was appointed by President Hill as International Vice President of the Sixth District – which covered Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin – and was elected to a full term at the 38th International Convention in 2011.

On May 27, 2015, Lonnie Stephenson was appointed International President of the IBEW and was elected by delegates to the 39th International Convention a year later.

Eric Dean, Seventh Vice President

Eric Dean completed his apprenticeship in 1984 and became a journeyman ironworker in Local 63 (Chicago). As an accomplished ironworker, he worked for various contractors as a journeyman, foreman and project superintendent throughout the Chicago area. From 1989 until 1995, he served as an apprentice instructor and earned the status of certified welding inspector. He became very involved in his local union serving as conductor, trustee, vice president and business agent. Recognizing his leadership skills, General President Jake West appointed him general organizer for the International in 1999, assigning him to the Department of Ornamental, Architectural and Miscellaneous Metals (DOAMM). In 2005, he was elected as president of the Chicago and Vicinity District Council of Iron Workers. General President Joseph Hunt appointed Eric Dean as general vice president effective August 4, 2008. General President Walter Wise appointed Eric Dean as general secretary effective February 1, 2011. The general executive council unanimously elected Eric Dean as general president effective July 1, 2015.

James “Bud” McCourt, Eighth Vice President

James “Bud” McCourt, is a long-time resident of Massachusetts and began his career with Asbestos Workers Local 6, Boston, MA as an apprentice in 1976. He received his mechanic’s card four years later in 1980 and subsequently served his local union as an executive board member from 1982 to 1984.

His leadership abilities led to his election as local union president, a position he held from 1985 to 1987. He also served as asbestos abatement coordinator and as business agent for his local union prior to his election to the top position as business manager.

Brother McCourt was elected by the delegates at the Unions 1997 General Convention to serve as International Vice President of the New York-New England States Conference. In that capacity, Bud served with dedication and distinction, giving wise counsel and support to the General Office programs and policies.

Upon the retirement of deceased General President William G. Bernard on September 1, 2001, Brother McCourt was elected by the General Executive Board to serve as General Secretary-Treasurer. He was officially elected to the position at the Union’s 2002 General Convention and re-elected at the 2007 and 2012 Conventions.

Upon the retirement of General President James A. Grogan August 3, 2015, James McCourt was elected by the General Executive Board to the position of General President.

A second generation pipe coverer, Bud and his wife, Deborah have 2 sons, Jamie and Jonathan and a grandson.

Daniel E. Stepano, Tenth Vice President

Dan became General President of the Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association on April 16, 2016.

He was initiated into the OPCMIA on August 5, 1980, as a Plasterer in Local Union No. 31, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Dan has worked in the plaster trade performing all trade processes of the craft and has served the Local Union in various positions including Recording Secretary, Apprentice Coordinator/Instructor, Executive Board Member, Business Agent, Trustee of the Health and Welfare, Apprenticeship, Pension and Annuity Funds, Business Manager and Financial Secretary.

On July 22, 2004, he was appointed to the position of International Vice President and General Executive Board Member.  In August of 2004, at the 48^th OPCMIA International Convention, Dan was elected International Vice President and to the General Executive Board of the Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association.

In June of 2007, Dan was appointed to the position of Executive Vice President and then on January 1, 2007, he was appointed to serve as the Director of Organizing. Dan was elected as Executive Vice President and also to the General Executive Board of the Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association in August of 2009, at the 50^th OPCMIA International Convention and again to both positions in August of 2014 at the 51^st OPCMIA International Convention.

Dan comes from a family with a strong union background.  His Father was a member of the OPCMIA Pittsburgh Local for over 46 years.  Dan and his wife are the proud parents of two sons, Edward John and Ryan Jacob.

Mark McManus, Eleventh Vice President

The United Association’s chief officer is General President Mark McManus. In August 2016, Mark McManus was unanimously elected as General President at the UA’s 39th General Convention and on November 10, 2016, he assumed his new position leading the nation’s most progressive and influential trade union.

The General President is responsible for supervising the day-to-day affairs of the United Association and for decisions concerning internal union governance, as well as rendering decisions and adjusting disputes and other matters affecting the organization. He is the chairman of the UA General Executive Board, UA Strategic Planning Committee, and supervises the development and implementation of all major policies and programs of the United Association.

He represents the face of the United Association in dealings with high-level government officials, contractors, contractor associations, project owner organizations, fellow labor unions and the general public. Given his stature in the industry, the General President serves on various important boards, councils and committees, including the following:

• Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Plumbers and Pipefitters National Pension Fund
• Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Local Union Officers and Employees Pension Fund
• Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the UA General Officers and Employees Pension Fund
• AFL-CIO Executive Committee Member & Executive Council Member
• Vice-President of North America’s Building Trades Unions
• Vice-President of the Executive Council of the Metal Trades Department
• Board of Directors of Veterans in Piping (VIP) Program
• Board of Directors of Helmets to Hardhats