MEET TEAM 420
BUSINESS MANAGER
Jim Snell
Jim has been a proud, active member of Steamfitters Local 420 for more than 31 years. After graduating from Monsignor Bonner High School in Drexel Hill, he began his apprenticeship in 1991 and went on to work in both the commercial and industrial fields as a Fitter, Foreman and Steward. He actively participates in local elections, political rallies, labor walks and picket lines.
Jim has gained the trust of members, who elected him to serve on the Examining Board in 2004 and then the Executive Board in 2007. In 2010, he had the privilege of being elected to serve as President, where he was a Trustee to all Local 420 benefit funds. He also was a member of the Negotiating Committee and chairman of all Local 420 meetings. Through these experiences and from his attendance at the National Coordinating Committee for Multiemployer Plans Conferences (NCCMP) and the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Conferences (IFEBP), Jim gained valuable knowledge in fiduciary matters that to this day has helped him work with a qualified team to ensure sound, strategic investments that have shored up union funds and brought benefits directly to members and their families.
Jim was elected Business Agent in 2013 and then re-elected in 2016. He covered Center City Philadelphia and the Residential Division, in addition to the Metal Trades Division. Then-Business Manager Anthony Gallagher appointed Jim to the position of Assistant Business Manager in December 2018. He later became Business Manager on April 1, 2019, by virtue of Local 420’s bylaws, after Anthony went on to serve the United Association. The members elected Jim as Business Manager in June 2019.
Jim has proudly represented the Local Union in varied positions over the years to ensure the voices of 420 members are heard. He was elected as the Financial Secretary-Treasurer of the Pennsylvania Pipe Trades, Trustee of the Pennsylvania State Building and Construction Trades Council, Executive Board committee member of the Philadelphia AFL-CIO, and President of the Mechanical Trades District Council of the Delaware Valley.
Service to Local 420 runs deep for Jim. He began as an AFL-CIO delegate, where he served for more than 10 years. He was elected to serve as Vice President of the Delaware County AFL-CIO in 2009. Jim also has been honored to have been elected by the membership to represent 420 as a delegate at the United Association General Conventions in 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021.
His leadership is well recognized. On Dec. 11, 2015, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf appointed him to the 13-member Philadelphia Port Authority Advisory Committee, where he represents the Philadelphia Building Trades. On Oct. 27, 2017, Jim was appointed to the Zoning Board of Adjustments, where he represents both Steamfitters Local 420 and the Philadelphia Building Trades.
Even with his responsibilities on behalf of members, family is still central to Jim’s life. He and his wife, Kim, have been married for 24 years and have four children: daughters Madison, 21, Devin, 19, and Paige, 18, and son, Jake, 16. The family lives in Havertown, Delaware County.
As a man of honesty and integrity, Jim believes that as an officer of Steamfitters Local 420, you must lead by example. He has a deep commitment to the principles and values of the Local Union --- traits that were instilled in him by his late grandfather, John Wilson Sr., a 53-year member. In this next election, Jim respectfully asks for members’ continued support to serve Steamfitters Local 420 as Business Manager.
FINANCIAL SECRETARY-TREASURER
Tom Redden
Tom is a proud third-generation, 26-year member Steamfitter who entered the apprenticeship in 1996 after earning his labor and industrial relations degree from Penn State University. He graduated from the apprenticeship in 2002 and has contributed to the Local Union in several capacities since then.
In June 2004, Tom was elected to the Examining Board, where he remained for more than two years until being appointed to the Executive Board in September 2006. In June 2007, he was elected to remain on the Executive Board and served there until 2010. The membership subsequently elected Tom to the position of Vice President in June 2010 and he held the post until ascending to the position of President in February 2013. Tom was subsequently elected by the membership in June 2013 to continue to serve as President. He gained invaluable experience as a Trustee during his time as President, and that experience will serve him well as he re-enters the Trustee role as Financial Secretary-Treasurer.
Tom ran and successfully won the post of Business Agent in March 2016. He was assigned the territory covering Delaware and Chester counties. Tom was re-elected Business Agent in June 2019, and then appointed to cover Montgomery County and Limerick. Tom then was appointed to the position of Financial Secretary-Treasurer in January 2022, and he looks forward to continuing to work for the membership in this critical role.
Some of Tom’s additional accomplishments include being elected to represent the Local Union at the 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021 United Association (UA) Conventions. He was also part of the Local Union 420 leadership team serving at three Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Conventions in 2012, 2014 and 2022. He was appointed to and currently sits on the Chester County AFL-CIO, where he was elected Trustee in 2015. Tom was appointed to the Chester County Workforce Development Board in August 2018 and served there as a board member until being asked to join the Pennsylvania State Workforce Development Board in August 2020.
Tom looks forward to the opportunity to continue the work he so strongly believes in and to serve the Local Union and its members as Financial Secretary-Treasurer. He has been honored and proud to work for all members of the Local Union in various positions over the last 18 years. Tom is grateful for all his previous roles and has used them to expand his knowledge and become a successful Business Agent and now Financial Secretary-Treasurer. He looks forward to continuing to serve the membership as the Financial Secretary-Treasurer. He is especially proud of the work he has done to protect the pension plan and ensure its financial security, as well as keep health-care costs to a minimum for retired members.
Tom has been married to his wife, Joanne, for 21 years and is the father of two daughters Emma, 19, and Abby, 17. He volunteers his time as assistant coach of Abby’s travel softball team.
BUSINESS AGENTS
Gary "GARU" Andress
Gary is a third-generation Steamfitter who entered the apprenticeship in August 1983. He followed in the footsteps of his father, Gary Sr., who retired in December 1998 after 37 years of service and is enjoying the good life living “down the shore.” Gary’s grandfather, Joe Andress, was a refrigeration/HVAC mechanic after serving in the Navy during World War II. Gary’s son, Zach, also is a graduate of the BTJ apprenticeship program and is a proud fourth-generation Steamfitter.
Gary spent 25 years in the field as a Fitter, Welder, Steward and Foreman. In 1998, he was elected as Inside Guard and dutifully served until his election to the Examining Board in 2004. Gary was chairman of the Examining Board for six years.
In January 2006, Gary was approached by then-Training Director Steve Sweeney and asked to become a full-time instructor for the BTJ apprenticeship program. This was a job that Gary thoroughly enjoyed; he looked forward to going to work each day so that he could train the next generation of Steamfitters. Unfortunately, he had to leave the training center in May 2014 because of a family situation and returned to field work until he ran for and was elected to serve as Business Agent in March 2016. Gary was assigned the Lehigh Valley territory and has been there for six years, working tirelessly with other building trades agents to bring RCO language to both Lehigh and Northampton counties. They currently are working on the city of Allentown, which should be adopting similar RCO language shortly.
Gary has spent the last six years cultivating relationships with contractors and using these relationships to attract some of them to pursue work opportunities in the Lehigh Valley for the first time. His hard work and dedication have paid off, as four signatory contractors not only bid on work, but were awarded the contracts. He worked with the contractors and Business Manager Jim Snell to aggressively target some of these jobs with Market Recovery funds, and it has paid off. The Local Union now is working in some business areas that historically have used non-union labor for their projects.
Gary once again asks for your continuing support and trust in him and the rest of Team 420 in the upcoming June 4 election. He will use this continued support to fight for the members and continue to grow the Local Union’s market share in the Lehigh Valley and the entire jurisdiction for generations to come.
Albert “Rick” Bush Jr.
Rick is a second-generation Steamfitter with 25 years of experience in the trade.
Graduating in 1993 from Collingswood High School, he currently resides in Medford, N.J., with his wife of 19 years, Davina, and his daughter, Carlie, 17. His revered, late father, Albert R. Bush Sr., has instilled the traditional values and integrity that Rick Jr. exemplifies in his everyday life with work, family, and friends.
His strategic leadership skills and reliable work ethic have accredited him positions as Outside Superintendent for AT Chadwick Co. Inc. and many Forman opportunities. He has been an elected delegate at the 38th, 39th and 40th UA General Conventions. Rick also was elected to the Executive Board in 2013 and 2016, and then elected as Vice President in 2019. He was appointed Business Agent in January 2022, the position he currently holds.
Rick blends a powerful understanding, accountability and an unwavering vision of the core beliefs that are essential to the welfare of the union, while he continues his commitment in cultivating vitality back to Steamfitters Local Union 420.
Jim “Boozer” Bowers
Jim has been a member of Local Union 420 for 25 years. He served one term on the Examining Board and is currently serving as a member of the Executive Board. Jim has had the privilege to serve as a delegate at the UA Conventions in 2016 and 2021.
Jim was an industrial and commercial welder for most of his career. During his 25-year tenure, he has worked his way through the ranks, holding positions such as Foreman, General Forman and Superintendent on numerous projects in and around the Philadelphia area. He is currently the General Foreman at the Bank of America data center in Levittown, Pa.
As an active Local Union Journeyman and Apprentice Alumni member, Jim is looking forward to becoming more of an integral part of making the Local Union stronger and each member more prosperous. Being a Business Agent will help him take the next steps to achieve those goals.
Matt (Miley) Meile
Matt is a proud third-generation Steamfitter who completed his apprenticeship in 2001. He has worked in all aspects of the field, including both commercial and industrial work. He has held positions of Fitter, Welder, Steward and Foreman.
Matt was elected in June 2013 to serve the membership as a member of the Executive Board, a position he held for two terms. In June 2019, Matt was humbled and honored to be elected as Business Agent. He was assigned the territory covering Delaware and Chester counties. Matt used his time to build relationships with contractors and politicians in both areas. Thanks to his commitment, he was asked to join the Chester County Workforce Development Board in 2020. He also was a delegate to the 39th UA Convention in 2016.
Matt thanks members for their continued support and looks forward to the opportunity to continue to serve the Local Union as a Business Agent.
Ryan “Squirrel” McAdams
Ryan grew up in Philadelphia and graduated from Northeast Catholic High School in 1990. He resides in Northeast Philadelphia with his wife of 25 years, Susan; his son, Matthew; and his daughter, Megan.
Ryan entered the apprenticeship in August 1996 and has since worked on many jobs as a Superintendent, General Foreman, Foreman and Steward.
Ryan has served the Local Union in many capacities. In 2010, he was appointed to the Sick Committee and served until 2013. He was a member of the Philadelphia AFL-CIO and currently is a member of the Bucks County AFL-CIO. Ryan also is a member of the Bylaws Committee.
In 2016, Ryan was elected Inside Guard, and then in 2018, he was appointed to the Executive Board. In 2019, Ryan was elected to continue serving on the Executive Board and proudly served until he was appointed Vice President in 2022. Ryan has been serving the Local Union as Business Agent since February 2022. Ryan has the territories of Philadelphia (north of Spring Garden Street) and Bucks County (South of Rt. 563).
Ryan has been a dedicated and proud 26-year member of this union and its membership, and he looks forward to the opportunity to continue representing Local 420 as Business Agent.
Pat Sheridan
Pat is a third-generation Local 420 Steamfitter, with more than 26 years of experience in the trade. He was born and raised in Delaware County and graduated from Cardinal O’ Hara High School in 1990. Pat continued his education at Delaware County Community College, where he took drafting, estimating and other related classes at night. Pat now lives in Drexel Hill with his wife, Ruth, their two sons, Patrick and Declan, and his stepson, Alex.
Having worked “summer help” throughout high school with his father, “Flip”, and growing up in a Local Union 420 family --- including his uncle and cousin, both Jim --- Pat decided that being a Steamfitter was the career for him. Since graduating the apprenticeship program in 2001, he has worked in many capacities in both the commercial and industrial sides of the trade from Fitter and Welder through General Foreman to Steward. Pat was employed as an Organizer for the Local Union for a little over five years, from 2016 to 2022. Pat considers himself fortunate to have seen and been involved with so many different aspects of the trade.
Pat has been involved in many door-hanging, get-out-the-vote and signature campaigns over the last 26 years with both the Delaware County AFL-CIO and the Local Union. He has and continues to work the polls on every election, attending parades and rallies to advance Local 420’s causes.
Pat has had the honor of serving the Local Union and its membership in various capacities over the last 12 years. He has been elected as a delegate to the 2011, 2016 and 2021 UA General Conventions. Pat served as a member of the Examining Board (2010-2013), as Recording Secretary (2013-2016), and as President (2016-2022), and currently is serving as a Business Agent. He thoroughly enjoys the challenges presented to him as a Business Agent and works every day with the best interests of Local 420 and its members in mind. Pat truly considers it an honor to serve this membership as a Business Agent and looks forward to continuing to move the local forward.
Dave Lentz
Dave was raised in Ridley Park and graduated from St. James Catholic High School. He attended Philadelphia College of Textile and Science for two years before beginning his Steamfitters apprenticeship in 1987. He graduated from the apprenticeship in February 1993 and has worked in both the industrial and commercial fields. He has been fortunate enough to hold positions of Steward, Foreman, General Foreman and Superintendent during his time in the field.
In 2007, Dave was elected by the membership to serve as the Inside Guard, where he proudly served until his election to the Executive Board in June 2010. His experience on the Executive Board helped him in his bid to be elected Vice President in June 2013. Dave was appointed as Business Agent in December 2018, when he replaced retiring Business Agent Jim Walls. In June 2019, the membership validated Dave’s appointment, by electing him to continue working as a Business Agent, where he was assigned to the territory covering Bucks County, Northeast Philadelphia and Germantown, as well as the residential division. After Business Agent Mike Trofa’s retirement in January 2022, Dave was asked to take over the Center City territory. He continues to handle the residential division and the BOS.
Dave has been elected to represent the membership at the 2006, 2011 and the 2021 UA Conventions. He also served as a representative on the Bucks County AFL-CIO for three-and-a-half years.
Dave has been married to his wife, Patti, for 28 years and has been blessed with two children, Devin, 25, with whom he enjoys watching and listening to her favorite team, the Philadelphia Phillies, and Aidan, 22, who entered the BTJ apprentice program in August 2021 and is working for AT Chadwick Co. Inc.
Lenny Perrone
Lenny is a proud 34-year member of Steamfitters Local Union 420. He entered the industry in August 1988. Since completing his apprenticeship in 1993, he has worked in both the industrial and commercial fields. He has served as Steward, Foreman and General Foreman throughout his years in the field.
Lenny has served on the Local Union’s Bylaws Committee. He also previously served as a member of the Examining Board, Recording Secretary and Vice President. In his role as Vice President, he served as the Chairman of the Executive Board.
Lenny also previously served as delegate to the Philadelphia chapter of the AFL-CIO, and he has had the great honor and privilege of representing the membership at the UA Conventions in 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021.
Lenny appreciates the support he has received from the membership throughout the years and hopes that his hard work and dedication will help garner more support as he runs for the position of Business Agent.
Mike Walls
Mike is a proud and dedicated second-generation Steamfitter who entered the apprenticeship in 2004 and graduated in 2009. He has been actively involved with the Local Union ever since.
Prior to entering the apprenticeship, Mike was an Army Infantryman stationed at the 10th Mountain Division in Fort Drum, N.Y. He also served a tour of duty with NATO in Kosovo.
Mike has been elected to represent the membership at the 38th, 39th and 40th UA General Conventions. In 2013, he was elected by members to serve as Inside Guard, a position he held until 2016 when he was subsequently elected to the Executive Board. He also served the Local Union as Business Agent and has been a member of the LU 420 Bylaws Committee.
Mike is asking for members’ continued support as he runs for Business Agent.
PRESIDENT
Orville Robinson
Orville is a proud first-generation Steamfitter with more than 17 years of experience in the trade. He was born and raised in Philadelphia and graduated from George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science in 1998. Orville now lives with his wife, Sally, and their two daughters, Jolie, 16, and Maeve, 12, in Springfield, Montgomery County.
Upon graduating his five-year apprenticeship, Orville received the Thomas J. Dugan Welding Award. Orville continued his education in night classes for Welding, CFC Recovery and Medical Gas Installation. Orville has worked in many capacities in the DOT welding, commercial and industrial sides of the trade as Welder, Foreman and Steward.
Orville has worked many picket lines and has been involved in many “Get Out the Vote” events over the last 17 years, with both the AFL-CIO of Montgomery County and the Local Union. Since 2013, Orville has served as a Local 420 Delegate for the AFL-CIO. During his tenure there, he has served as the COPE Committee Chairman and as the Montgomery County Central Labor Council AFL-CIO Vice President and President. While serving as a 420 delegate to the AFL-CIO, Orville has been instrumental in coordinating union leaders and statewide politicians to work toward creating union jobs in the Local Union’s territory.
Orville has had the honor of serving the Local and its membership in various capacities over the last nine years. In 2016, he was elected Examining Board member as well as Delegate to the UA’s 39th General Convention and the Bylaws Committee. As an Examining Board member, Orville saw the importance of giving back to the local membership.
In 2019, Orville was elected as Recording Secretary and in 2021 he was elected to represent the union in the UA’s 40th Convention. He currently is serving as the Local’s President and Trustee. Orville thoroughly enjoys the challenges presented to him as a Trustee of Local 420 and works every day with the best interests of Local 420 and its members in mind. Orville truly considers it an honor to serve this membership as its President and looks forward to continuing to move 420 forward as the premier union local in the country.
VICE PRESIDENT
Jim Shupe
Jim entered the apprenticeship in August 2001 and since graduating in 2006 has been an active member of Local Union 420, consistently volunteering his time on picket lines, political phone banks, Election Day efforts, labor walks and pro-union rallies.
Jim is honored to have served Local Union 420 as a member of the Sick Committee, Finance Committee, Bylaws Committee, Executive Board, and currently as Vice President. He also was given the opportunity by the members to serve as a delegate to the 38th, 39th and 40th UA Conventions.
Jim holds an elected position on the Executive Committee in Philadelphia’s 66th Ward and is active in his surrounding community. His constant involvement with the union and its members gives him the understanding of the dedication that is required to fulfill the commitment of being an elected official and, most importantly, as a fellow union member.
Jim currently works for Herman Goldner at Merck Pharmaceutical in Montgomery County. He is the site superintendent for Goldner and represents the mechanical trades on the Merck Contractor Safety Council. He also served as one of three Union Trade Representative on the Merck Covid Council. This council was the direct line from the trades concerns to Merck management.
Jim is asking for members’ support in the upcoming officer election. With his loyalty and relentless work ethic, he will remain an asset and be a voice for all members of Local Union 420 by continuing to serve as Vice President.
RECORDING SECRETARY
Charlie Sweeney
Charlie is a proud third-generation Steamfitter who lives in Ridley Township with his wife, Jennifer, and their two children. Charlie began his apprenticeship in August 1999 and graduated in 2004. He has worked in both the commercial and industrial fields and has been a Fitter, Steward and Foreman.
Charlie consistently volunteers his time to elect political candidates who are endorsed by Local 420. He served as a delegate to the Delaware County AFL-CIO from 2011 to 2021.
Charlie is honored to have been elected to the last three UA Conventions in 2011, 2016 and 2021.
With the Local Union, he served two terms on the Examining Board from 2013-2019. In 2019, he was elected by the membership to serve on the Executive Board, a position he held until his appointment as the Recording Secretary in January 2022.
Charlie asks for your continued support in his run to serve you again as Recording Secretary.
INSIDE GUARD
Dan Tinney
Dan is a 12-year member of Steamfitters Local Union 420. Before entering the apprenticeship, Dan earned his business logistics and international business degree from Penn State University in 2005. He then attended National Chengchi University in Taipei, Taiwan, where he studied political science and Mandarin Chinese. He entered the apprenticeship in 2010 and was elected president of his class.
Since entering the trade, Dan has worked in both the commercial and industrial sectors and has been a Fitter, Steward, Foreman and General Foreman. He is currently a General Foreman for Marx Mechanical running a renovation project at Bryn Mawr Hospital.
Dan has continued his education with the Steamfitters by taking and earning the OSHA 30 certificate and by also becoming a certified medical gas installer. He also has a ASSE membership.
Dan has served the Local Union as a delegate to the Philadelphia AFL-CIO since 2016. In March 2022, he was honored to be elected as a delegate to the 40th UA Convention, where he proudly served alongside his LU 420 brothers. In January of 2022, he was appointed to the position of Inside Guard and hopes, with your support, that he will be able to continue to serve the membership.
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Dan Zimmerman
Dan has been a proud member of Steamfitters Local Union 420 for more than 24 years. Since graduating from the apprenticeship in 2002, he has worked in the commercial, industrial, pharmaceutical and nuclear areas of the trade. He has held positions on the job as a Fitter, Welder, Steward and Foreman.
Since 2013, he has served as a delegate of Local Union 420 on the AFL-CIO of Montgomery County, where he holds the positions of Sergeant-at-Arms and COPE Committee Chairman. Dan was president of the Apprentice Alumni Association from September 2015 until May 2019.
In 2016 and 2021, Dan was honored to represent the union as a delegate to the United Association’s 39th and 40th General Conventions, respectively.
In 2019, he was elected to the union’s Finance Committee, a position he held until being appointed to the Executive Board in January 2022.
Dan Zimmerman is a dedicated, hardworking steamfitter who is always willing to serve Local Union 420 on picket lines, with hand-billing, and with door-to-door during elections. Dan is running for Executive Board and respectfully asks for members’ support.
Sean "SMOC" O'Connell
Sean is a proud second-generation, 27-year member of Local Union 420. His father is a deceased Mechanical Equipment Service Serviceman.
Sean attended Temple University for two years before entering the Apprenticeship Program in 1995. During his apprenticeship, Sean worked in the commercial and industrial fields learning many of the essential aspects of the industries.
Since graduating from the apprenticeship in 2001, Sean has served as Steward, Foreman and General Foreman on several projects.
Sean had the honor of being elected to the Local Union 420 Examining Board in 2013 and to the Finance Committee in 2016 and 2019. He was honored to serve the membership as a Delegate at the 39th and 40th United Association General Conventions.
Sean looks forward to the opportunity to serve the membership of Local Union 420 as a member of the Executive Board.
He lives in Palmyra, N.J., with his wife of 20 years, Jennifer, and their four beautiful daughters.
Curt Clifford Jr.
Curt is a proud and dedicated second-generation Steamfitter who followed in the footsteps of his father, Curt Sr. Curt entered the apprenticeship in 1998 and has held various titles since his graduation in 2004. He has worked as a Fitter, Welder, Steward, Foreman and General Foreman.
Curt previously served the Local Union as an elected officer, doing two terms on the Examining Board. He also has had the honor of representing the membership at the 39th and 40th UA Conventions.
Bob Harris Jr.
Bob is a 17-year member of Local 420, having entered the industry in August 2004. Since completing the apprenticeship in 2009, he has held many different titles, including Fitter, Certified Welder, Steward, Foreman and General Foreman in the nuclear, commercial and industrial divisions.
Bob has been the General Foreman at the Limerick Nuclear Outage for the last four years, overseeing upwards of 160 brothers and sisters during each outage. He has made sure that the outages have come in on time and on budget, with the highest safety standards in place.
Bob was elected by the membership to represent them at the 40th UA Convention in 2021. He is currently a member of the Examining Board and volunteers in Montgomery County to help elect candidates who are endorsed by Local 420.
Bob comes from a long and distinguished line of Local Union 420 Steamfitters, including his father, Bob Sr., and his uncle, John. He also has numerous cousins and nephews who are members of the Local Union. This rich family history has instilled in Bob the dedication and beliefs that he gladly shares with new generations of Steamfitters.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Jim Crossan
Jim is a 22-year member and a 2005 graduate of the apprenticeship program. He has held many different job titles since he entered the industry and has worked in both the commercial and industrial sectors. He has been a Fitter, Steward, Foreman, General Foreman and Instrument Technician. He has also worked as a Superintendent, Contract Administrator and Project Planner.
Jim was elected by the membership to serve as a delegate to the 40th UA Convention in August 2021. He was humbled by the support the membership showed him. In January 2022, Jim was appointed to the Finance Committee.
Jim hopes that his vast experience and training once again will garner members’ support and he appreciates the opportunity to represent the Local Union now and in the future as a member of the Finance Committee.
Joe Desmond
Joe is a first-generation steamfitter who resides in Ridley Park, where he was born and raised. He graduated from Ridley High School in 1992 and then from Williamson Trade School in 1995.
Joe graduated the BTJ apprenticeship in 2006 and has worked as a Welder, Fitter, Steward, and Foreman. He has primarily been a Welder on many DOT, industrial and commercial projects.
Joe was appointed as a delegate to the Delaware County AFL-CIO in 2013, where he served until 2021. He was elected to serve on the Examining Board in June 2019, where he proudly served until his appointment to the Finance Committee in January 2022. He was also elected delegate to the 40th UA Convention and was honored to represent the membership at this event.
Jon “JJ” Johnson
Jon is second-generation, 14-year member who is a graduate of the BTJ Apprentice Program. Since his graduation, he has earned valuable experience working in the commercial, industrial and gas distribution fields.
JJ is humbled and honored to have been elected by the membership as a delegate to represent the Local Union at the last two UA General Conventions.
JJ was elected to the Examining Board in June 2019, a position he held until his appointment to the Finance Committee in January 2022. He looks forward to the opportunity to continue serving the membership on the Finance Committee and appreciates members’ continued support.
EXAMINING BOARD
Edward Keenan
Ed is a proud second-generation member of Steamfitters Local Union 420, with 10 years of experience. He entered the apprentice program in 2012 and graduated in 2017.
Ed has worked as a Fitter, Certified Welder, Steward and Foreman on various jobs throughout the Local Union’s territory in the commercial, industrial and fab shop settings.
He was appointed to the Examining Board in January 2022, where his valuable welding experience will serve him well as he helps the members of Local Union 420 upgrade their skills to the highest levels.
Ed is a loving husband and proud father to his two daughters. He appreciates members’ support both now and in the future.
Michael Falkevitz
Mike is a 12-year member of the Local Union who currently serves on the Examining Board. He entered the apprenticeship in February 2010 and has served the union in different capacities since his graduation in 2015.
Mike was awarded the Thomas J. Dugan Welding Award at his apprentice graduation for achieving the highest welding average over his five-year apprenticeship. Since then, Mike has gone on to become a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) and has welded on many of the large commercial and industrial projects throughout the union’s territory.
Besides his extensive work as a welder and CWI, Mike has been a Foreman and Fitter on several large commercial jobs. His welding knowledge and experience will serve him well as a member of the Examining Board. He is also a member of the American Society of Sanitary Engineers (ASSE).
Mike appreciates members’ support and would be humbled to continue to serve this Local Union on the Examining Board.
Bob Bense
Bob is a proud second-generation Steamfitter who has been a member in good standing for 17 years. Since completing his apprenticeship in 2010, Bob has served the local in a variety of ways, both on the job and as an officer. He has been a Fitter, Welder and Foreman in the commercial sector.
Bob has been representing Bucks County on the AFL-CIO since his appointment in 2015. It has been an honor for him to represent LU 420 as a delegate to the Bucks County AFL-CIO because he was born and raised there and continues to reside there with his wife, Heather, and their two children, Kaylee, 17, and Bobby 11.
In June 2019, he was elected to serve the Local Union on the Examining Board.
Bob is seeking members’ support so that he can continue to represent our Local Union and give back to the membership that he has grown up with. He promises to bring to the Examining Board the same hard work and dedication that he shows on the job.
Michael “Schwartzie” Schwartz
Michael is a proud first-generation Steamfitter and 17-year member of Local Union 420. Born and raised in Philadelphia, he currently resides in Bensalem, Pa., with his beautiful wife, Linda, and their two children, Owen, 16, and Eva, 13, as well as two amazing dogs, Tink and Coco.
A graduate of Local Union 420’s apprenticeship program in 2010, Michael was elected class steward and awarded the Thomas J. Dugan Achievement Award for Welding. He is invested in his continued education and development, currently holding more than 12 welding certifications.
Michael has worked in industrial, pharmaceutical, commercial, and fabrication shops. Throughout his tenure he has held positions as a Fitter, Welder, Foreman, and Steward. Michael has instilled safety knowledge and pride in craftsmanship while working with apprentices. He currently is employed as a Welder with the fabrication shop of A.T. Chadwick Co. Inc.
Serving his Local Union in many capacities, Michael has participated in literature drops, hand-billing, elections, and picket lines. He proudly represented Local Union 420 as a delegate at the United Association’s 40th Convention. He is currently a member of the Examining Board and looks forward to the opportunity to continue his service to Local Union 420 in this position.
Frank Kane
Frank is proud eight-year member of Steamfitters Local Union 420, with a long and distinguished family history in the Local. He has several uncles and cousins who are also members. He graduated from the BTJ apprenticeship in 2019 and has worked in the commercial, industrial and nuclear fields since.
Frank took advantage of the Journeyman training offered at the Local Union’s world-class school and received his Medical Gas Installer card. He was also appointed as a delegate to the Delaware County AFL-CIO in 2021.
Frank is lifelong resident of Delaware County, where he resides with his wife and children. He is active in his community, coaching various CYO sports teams for his parish. Frank appreciates members’ support and looks forward to the opportunity to serve on the Examining Board.
Joe Arrell
Joe has been a proud Local Union member since 2016. He graduated from the BTJ apprenticeship program in 2021 and has worked in both the industrial and commercial sectors during his career. Prior to entering the apprenticeship, Joe received his business administration degree from Cabrini University.
Joe has been active in the Local Union since his early days in apprenticeship, often volunteering for lit-drops during election season and working picket lines.
Joe has been a member of the Local Union 420 softball team for several years. As of this year, he is now both a player and the head coach.
Joe looks forward to the opportunity to serve this membership and would be humbled and honored to earn members’ support.
He was born and raised in Morton, Delaware County, and attended Springfield High School. He now resides in Northeast Philadelphia with his wife, Abby, and son, Joe III.