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Phil Stender – Business
Manager: Elected in July of 2007, Phil is an 18-Year IBEW Local 55 Member.
He was Assistant Business Manager 1 ˝
years. His father Ernest Stender was a 33 year IBEW Member who was a
mechanic for Iowa Power. Phil began working through IBEW Local 55 in
1989 after having been indentured into the Missouri Valley
apprenticeship. He received his journeyman lineman ticket in 1993. He
worked as a foreman and general foreman. Phil began serving on Local
55’s executive board in 1994. He became executive board chair in 1997.
He served on the Iowa third congressional district Democratic Party
platform committee working on economy, commerce, and labor issues.
Don Barrow - Assistant Business Manager “Business Manager Emeritus” as of July 2007. A 38 Year IBEW Local 55 Member. Don was Business Manager for IBEW Local 55 11 years. Served 3 ˝ years in the Marine Corp and 1 ˝ tours in Viet Nam. In 1968, went to work for Iowa Power & Light Engineering Dept. as a draftsman technician. In April 1969 went to work through IBEW Local 55 as a ground man. Approximately three months later, was indentured into Missouri Valley apprenticeship. Worked for Brown Bros. for the first three years of apprenticeship and finished the last year with the L.E. Myers Company. Became a journeyman lineman in 1973. After receiving his journeyman ticket, returned to Brown Bros. where he worked as a Foreman for two years, then a General Foreman nearly eight years. In 1981 when line work slowed down, relocated and began working for Arizona Public Service at Parker. Over the next seven years he worked as a Journeyman Serviceman, Revenue Protection Specialist and Safety Department Representative. In 1988, returned to Des Moines working for Keith Enterprises as a journeyman and General Foreman. Then in 1994 started work for PAR Electric and two years as Substation and Cost Plus Foreman. Began work at Local 55 in 1996 to replace retiring Business Manager Charley Middleton.
Sandy Opstvedt – Assistant Business Manager: 18-Year IBEW Local 55 Member.
Currently the IBEW State Political Director. She has degrees in Business Administration and Paralegal Studies and completed several college labor courses. Serves as IBEW Iowa State Conference President and on the Iowa Federation of Labor Executive Board, University of Iowa Labor Center Advisory Board, Iowa Consumer Advocate Advisory Board for utility issues, Governor Vilsack appointee to the Iowa Energy Task Force, and Democrat National Committee Executive Board representing the 13 Midwest regional states. Her husband Brian is a journeyman lineman and son Shawn will complete the Missouri Valley apprenticeship this spring.
Fran Brownell – Office Manager and Recording Secretary: Elected in July 2007, Fran is a 15-Year IBEW Local 55 Member. Started in Electrical Industry at PAR where she worked 3 ˝ years. She had numerous years of prior office experience and training in the telephone and insurance industries. Her father, Tony Grasso worked as a control room operator at the Iowa Power DPS II plant. He was a 25-year IBEW member. Fran enjoys working with the staff, members & retirees as the Local continues to grow to historic numbers. Fran served two terms in the office of Local 55 Recording Secretary.
James P. Blair – President: 17-Year IBEW Local 55 Member . Completed Missouri Valley Line Constructors Apprenticeship & Training Program. Received journeyman lineman ticket in 1997. He began serving on the Local Executive Board in 1997 and began serving as Local 55 President in 2004.
Ed Myers – Vice President: 22-Year IBEW Local 55 Member. Completed Missouri Valley apprenticeship program . Received journeyman card in 1991. Has been Local Vice President since 1993.
Mike Brookes – Executive Board: 19-Year IBEW Local 55 Member. Completed Missouri Valley apprenticeship program. Received journeyman lineman ticket in 1992. He has served on the Local executive board for six years. Mike’s father, John (Jack) Brookes was a 38-year IBEW member having worked at Iowa Power as a truck driver, tree trimmer, apprentice lineman, journeyman, line foreman, superintendent, then travelling to Local 55 to work as general foreman.
Kevin Johnson – Executive Board: 17-Year IBEW Local 55 Member. Began working as groundman truck driver and later became an equipment operator. He has served on the Local executive board since 2004. Kevin’s father, Merv Johnson retired after 29 years working as an equipment operator. He also has two brothers in the trade. Jerry is a Local 499 journeyman lineman and Mike is a Local 55 equipment operator.
Mike Sawyer – Executive Board Mike is an 18-year IBEW member. He completed Missouri Valley Apprenticeship and became a journeyman lineman in 1993. Mike’s father Ken Sawyer is a 56-year IBEW member. He worked for Iowa Power and served as Local 499 Treasurer, then from 1967-1969 as Business Manager. He was promoted to IBEW International Representative in 1969 and served in that capacity until his retirement.
Examing Board Members: Steve Ray (Journeyman Lineman & 28 year member) Joe Beaver (Journeyman Lineman & 6 year member) & Don Benson (Journeyman Lineman & 11 year member)