IU Relaunches New Leaders Training

JOURNAL: ISSUE 2 - 2013

After a sabbatical of several years due to budget constraints brought on by the steep economic downturn, the International Union relaunched one of its most enduring educational programs – BAC New Leaders – a comprehensive orientation for newly appointed or appointed Local/ADC officers and staff.

And not a moment too soon, says BAC Secretary-Treasurer Henry Kramer. "The 2013 class was our largest ever. Even though resources continue to be tight, we didn't want any more time to elapse before bringing our newer officers, organizers and business agents together to make sure that one, we're on the same strategic page when it comes to our Union's core functions – like collective bargaining, organizing, and training, just to name a few – and two, they have the information they need and know who to contact if they have questions."

The five-day training was held at the BAC-IMI International Training Center in Bowie, MD. In their remarks to the group, both Kramer and BAC President James Boland recalled how much they valued their participation in the program, especially the opportunity to really get to know officers from across the country and Canada. And that includes each other. Both IU officers are members of the BAC New Leaders Class of 1989.

Front row from left: BAC Executive Vice President Tim Driscoll, Benny Wright of 1 WA, Tony Fox of the WI DC, Mike Gagnon and Bill Beaudry of 3 MA/ME/NH, Gary McMullen of WV ADC, and BAC Executive Vice President Gerard Scarano and Secretary-Treasurer Henry Kramer. Second row from left: Kurt Keller of 9 PA, Rich Szymanski of the WI DC, Zak Chapman of 5 OK/AR/TX, Pat Rowles and Tim Spaulding of 4 IN/KY, Dwayne Stewart of ADC 1 of IL, and Jay Smith of 6 LA/MS/AL. Third row from left: Pat Bonici of 7 NY/ NJ, Brett Gierak of 1 MI, John DeRose of 1 CT, Kevin Potter of 2 NY/VT, Rich Newcomb of 1 PA/DE, Ron Bower of 5 PA, and Lance Hatting of 6 IL. Fourth row from left: Brian Jennewein and John Hopkin of the E. MO ADC, Jack Cusumano of 7 NY/NJ, Jeff Forrest and Ray Lemke of 3 IA, and Howie Carr of 1 NY. Fifth row from left: Russel Smith of the OH-KY ADC, Richard Carr of the Four Corners ADC, Dave Dabrowski of the OH-KY ADC, James Moore of 1 NS, and John Cucchiarella of 1 NY. Back row from left: Matt Guy of 7 NY/NJ, Shawn Herzog of the OH-KY ADC, Pete Spence of 8 IL, Brian Greynolds of the WV ADC, Pete Clifford of 5 NY, Mike Titus of 1 OR and Tom Cannon of the OH-KY ADC.