Kramer Succeeds O’Malley as IU Executive Vice President

IU North Central Regional Director Henry Kramer was named IU Executive Vice President to succeed Gerald O’Malley, who retired April 1st.

In appointing Kramer to the Board, IU President John J. Flynn said, “As an exemplary IU Regional Director with a consistent record of exceeding expectations, I have great confidence that Brother Kramer will distinguish himself as an officer of the International. We welcome him to the Board.”

Kramer, a member of Local 74 Illinois, and a third generation BAC member, served his apprenticeship from 1974 to 1977. During the course of the next 11 years, he worked on a wide range of projects as a journeyman bricklayer and stonemason, as well as a foreman, while serving concurrently as head instructor of the Carol Stream-based apprentice school for Locals 56, 27, 14 and 74.

Beginning in 1978, he served as Recording Secretary, then President of Local 74. In 1988 he became Business Manager, an office he held until his appointment by the International as an IU Regional Director in October 2005. In this capacity, he oversaw the implementation of IU policies and programs in the largest of the Union’s five regions.

From 1991 until his first IU appointment, he also served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Illinois District Council #1.

In addition to his Local Union service, and tenure on the IU staff, Brother Kramer was an elected Regional Vice President to the BAC Executive Council, serving from 2000 to 2005. During this period, he was instrumental in helping to develop the Union’s strategic plan as a member of the Millennium Morning Project Committee.

He is also a 2006 graduate of the Harvard Trade Union program.
Kramer said he is humbled by his appointment and “looks forward to assisting in executing the Board’s policies and decisions to benefit all BAC members.”

In a related appointment, North Central Regional Organizer Steve Bailey, a 32-year member and former Business Agent of Local 1 Missouri, replaced Kramer as IU Regional Director for the North Central Region.