Staff section
Brian Hale serves as CEO and President for Ullico Inc., the only labor-owned insurance and investment company in the United States. Hale’s strategic vision for Ullico is guided by his experience rising through the company’s ranks and his knowledge of the labor movement born from his upbringing as a third-generation union member. Hale has performed… Read more »
Brent Booker became the 11th General President of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) on May 1, 2023. A proud University of Virginia graduate, and a third-generation member of Laborers’ Local 795 in New Albany, Indiana, he has devoted his career to creating job opportunities for working men and women. The son and… Read more »
Michael Coleman assumed the position of SMART General President on June 1, 2023, having been elected by the SMART General Executive Council following the retirement of former SMART General President Joseph Sellers. In all, Coleman has more than 20 years of dedicated leadership at the local and international level. He played a crucial role during… Read more »
Kenneth Cooper was appointed IBEW International President in 2023. He resides in Clarksburg, Maryland, with his wife, Gina. Together they have raised five successful and intelligent children, three daughters and two sons. Cooper began his career in 1985 at Local Union 688 in Mansfield, Ohio, where he served a four-year apprenticeship to become a journeyman… Read more »
Joye Blanscett is Executive Director of Operations for SMACNA, where she oversees HR, Accounting, IT and Membership. Ms. Blanscett has been with SMACNA since 2008, and in that time she previously served as Director of Labor Services and Human Resources, advising SMACNA chapters and contractors on collective bargaining, withdrawal liability and other federal employment laws,… Read more »
Erykka Thompson is Assistant Director of Legislative Affairs for the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association, Inc. (SMACNA). Ms. Thompson has worked as a change agent and advocate across many diverse fields including manufacturing, contracting, public relations and education. With experience in both the public and private sectors, she understands government processes and… Read more »
Derrick Kualapai is the General Secretary/Treasurer for the United Association of Journeyman and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe fitting Industry of the United States and Canada. He is a twenty-nine-year member of United Association (UA), representing 360,000 plumbers, pipefitters, sprinkler fitters & HVAC/R techs. Derrick Kualapai began his career in 1994 and held many… Read more »
Terry Nelson began his career with the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) in 1982 following his graduation from Hennepin Vocational Technical Education Center in Minnesota, where he studied the discipline of painting and decorating. After a 4-year apprenticeship with District Council 82/Local Union 386 (Minneapolis Painters and Drywall Finishers), where he received… Read more »
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