Recognition
Thanking those who build our trade
Former Apprenticeship Supervisor George Facista is honored for his lifetime of service to the Ironworkers
George Started his Apprenticeship in 1978. Throughout his career as Journeyman and Foreman, George did all aspects of ironwork from post-tensioning to architectural. George was an instructor with Local 75 for many years up until November 2005 where he was Apprenticeship Coordinator until May 2009 .After that he was promoted to Apprenticeship Supervisor, and he held that position until February 2022.
George was dedicated to the Apprenticeship program, and still is. With that, we thank him for his time and efforts.
(Pictured: George Facista (center) receives a plaque of appreciation.
Former Apprenticeship Director Dick Zampa Jr. is honored for his lifetime of service to the Ironworkers
Dick Zampa Jr. was born into a family of Ironworkers in 1954 in the San Francisco Bay Area town of Tormey. Like his grandfather (Alfred Zampa), father (Dick Zampa Sr.) and uncle (Gene Zampa) before him, Dick also went into the trade becoming a member of Ironworkers Local 378, Oakland, California in 1973.
Dick completed his apprenticeship in 1976. In 1983, Dick became an apprenticeship and training instructor. In 1995, Dick was hired as the Apprenticeship Coordinator for Ironworkers Local 378. Through hard work, Dick earned a bachelor’s degree from the National Labor College in 2001. In 2005 he became the Director of Apprenticeship for the California and Vicinity District Council. After 48 years of service to the Ironworkers he retired at the end of May 2021.
Dick, Thank you for you service and the lasting friendships and legacy that you have left.
(Pictured: Dick Zampa (center) receives a plaque of appreciation for sixteen years of outstanding work as the Director of Apprenticeship of the California Ironworkers District Council. Pictured with Dick are former District Council President Don Zampa and Trustee Chairman, Dave Mc Euen)
Richard Battaini Awarded
Richard Battaini from Sheedy Crane Company has received a plaque from the Local 377 JATC for his thirty-plus years of service to the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee.
Pictured from left to right are Linda Knox (California Division of Apprenticeship), Eddie Rayes (Local 377 Business Agent),Richard Battaini (Sheedy Crane Company), Mitchell Kettle (Bay Area Apprenticeship Coordinator), Don Zampa (President of the California and Vicinity District Council), and Dick Zampa (California and Vicinity Apprenticeship Director).
Sam Sambrookes
Sam began his working career in Indiana at the Pullman Standard Steel Company as a welder then went on to work at other steel mills as a welder and machinery operator. After demonstrating his mechanical abilities, he was promoted to the maintenance department where he honed his mechanical and electrical skills. He attended college where he gained extensive electrical knowledge. He then moved to Arizona where he worked as a heavy equipment mechanic with much of his work in the mining environment.
Sam began his ironworking career in 1986 at Local 75, Phoenix AZ. Sam was the Outstanding Apprentice in 1988 and became a JIW in 1989. As an Ironworker, he worked in all aspects of the trade in many capacities. He held the positions of JIW, Foreman, General Foreman, Equipment Manager, Welding Estimator, and Apprenticeship Instructor. Sam also owned a Union signatory ironworking company in partnership with his wife for a time. Sam retire in 2012 and has continued to work for the apprenticeship as an instructor, CWI, and to help maintain the Local 75 weld shop and facility. He has worked and traveled throughout the District Council helping to maintain our various welding shops, smoke extractor systems, and welding equipment using his unique mechanical and electrical expertise that he gained throughout his career. The Ironworkers are lucky to have such a knowledgeable and dedicated Brother. Thank you Sam!
Pictured from left to right: Business Manager Jason Sangster, Sam Sambrookes, Apprenticeship Supervisor George Facista, and Instructor Danny Wood.
Local 75 Outstanding Apprentice 2019
Apprentice Rolland Armstrong was chosen at the 2019 Local 75 Outstanding Apprentice. The Outstanding Apprentice is chosen by the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) and has excelled in all phases of apprenticeship, training, and Unionism. Rolland was honored at a banquet recently held in Tucson Arizona to honor all of the Outstanding Apprentices from the various trades and disciplines. Congratulations Rolland!
Rolland Armstrong (center) is pictured with Apprenticeship Supervisor George Facista and Local 75 Business Manager Jason Sangster
Contractor and JATC Member is Honored
Contractor Don Parks, Owner of Metal-Weld Specialties and MW Erectors was honored for his long service and dedication to the the Local 75 apprenticeship. Don has been involved with and has supported the apprenticeship since 1996. Don dedicated many hours in his role of Management Chairman of the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee. He has helped the apprenticeship by donating materials for training and has donated materials to the Skills USA welding events that have been held in Arizona. Don, Thank you for your Service. Local 75 and the Local 75 JATC.
Pictured: Joe Parsons, Terry Wright, Don Parks, George Facista, Nick Martinez
Wayne 'Porkey' Richardson
"Mr. Wayne 'Porkey' Richardson has volunteered hundreds of unpaid hours to train Ironworkers at our Sacramento Training Center. He has truly 'Given Back' to our program is greatly appreciated."
Brother Wayne "Porky" Richardson pictured with Business Manager Carl Pineo, Apprenticeship staff, and Ironworker apprentices
Mike Alves
Thank you Mike Alves of Local 229 and Gerdau for the donation of a Pallet of Tie Wire.
Apprenticeship Director Dick Zampa, Gerdau Reinforcing, Mike Alves, San Diego Apprenticeship Coordinator, Mike Peterson
Eugene L. Ryan
Eugene L. Ryan was honored by Local 75 and the District Council Apprenticeship at the September Union meeting.
“Gene” Ryan joined the ironworkers local 75 in 1970 and became a journeyman in 1973. Gene worked some reinforcing but worked mostly structural. He worked a lot of structural and maintenance in the mines and smelters of Southern Arizona. Gene retired 1990 on a disability. When the market in Tucson had deteriorated the local had two retirees dispatching on alternating weeks. One of the dispatchers quit so Gene volunteered to step into the position. He was later approached to become an organizer, so in 1995 he became an organizer for local 75. He divided his time between Tucson and Phoenix 2 days a week until a full time organizer was appointed in Phoenix. Gene was instrumental in getting the apprenticeship in Tucson up and running again because the apprentices had been traveling to Phoenix for classes. Gene became a trainer for the Apprenticeship teaching COMET, OSHA, MSHA, and Subpart R classes to local apprentices and journeymen. Gene has volunteered countless hours to the Union and Apprenticeship and is always there to help with apprenticeship classes, JIW training, and welding in Tucson. Thank you Gene for your dedication to Local 75 and to the Ironworkers Union.
”We have had our ups and downs in Tucson as has the whole state but I still believe unions do a better job of building America and we will prevail”.
Brother Gene Ryan receives a plaque for dedicated service from Business Manager Terry Wright
Bobby Lux
The California District Council Apprenticeship and the Bay Area Oakland LU 378 Jatc recently honored Brother Robert J. "Bobby" Lux at their meeting. Bobby has been a member since 1978.
President Bobby Lux has served for 15 years on the Local 378 JATC. The Local 378 JATC currently has 569 active apprentices and is one of the largest programs in the United States.
Bobby’s dedication and commitment to the Ironworker Industry was recognized with a token of appreciation at the July JATC meeting.
Brother Bobby Lux receiving the plaque at the LU 378 JATC meeting
Local 229 recognizes two for their outstanding contributions
Local 229 and the District Council recently recognized Mr. Mike Platter and Mr. Joe Blair for their outstanding contributions to the Apprenticeship. Both men have been instrumental in securing donations of tools, machinery, and materials from the decommissioned San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station North of San Diego. With help from the Apprenticeship many items have been secured from the plant and in turn been distributed throughout the District Council to be used at the various training centers.
Joe Blair began his career in Phoenix AZ at Local 75 in 1977. He transferred into Local 229 in 1987. Joe was elected President of Local 229 and has served for two terms. He has also served on the Executive Board and Examining Board. Joe has worked at all aspects of the trade as an ironworker, foreman, and general foreman and is currently a job steward. Joe enjoys riding his Harley Davidson and walking in his spare time.
Mike Platter began his ironworking career in 1975. He became an instructor with Local 229 in 1996. Mike has worked at all phases of the trade as an ironworker, foreman, and general foreman. He has served on the Executive Board and attended the Ironworkers Convention in 2006. Mike is currently retired and when he isn’t helping at the new apprenticeship training center he is enjoys traveling, golf, and spending time with his grandchildren.
Joe Blair, Business Manager Johnny Galvan, Mike Platter, Business Agent James Alvernaz, Apprenticeship Director Dick Zampa
Local 118, Reno, Nevada recognizes Mr. Reggie Brantley for his long time service to the Apprenticeship.
Mr. Reggie Brantley has been a member of Ironworkers Local 118 in Reno Nevada since October 1979. Reggie has been instrumental in enhancing and marketing the Ironworkers throughout his career by serving in multiple capacities within the local from Foreman, General Foreman, Organizer and most passionately as an instructor for Local 118 Reno location for over 15 years. Reggie has instructed all facets of our trade from OSHA outreach, reinforcing, structural, and welding obtaining his CWI (Certified Welding Inspector) certificate in 2010. Mr. Brantley retired September 1, 2007 although still conducts many of the safety certification classes for the local. It has been a great honor to have Reggie as a colleague and the Ironworkers are indebted for his time and wisdom devoted to our trade.
Ron Woodruff
Ron Woodruff became a Journeyman Rodman in Local 416 in 1980 after graduating Cerrito College with a degree in Business. Along his career he worked in the field as a journeyman, foreman and a general foreman. He began teaching for the Apprenticeship part time in 1988 and went full time in 2004. He has been a highly effective and respected instructor. Along his long career Ron has attained nearly every Instructor Safety Training Certification available. Over Ron’s career as an instructor he was known for never missing a work day. He also helped to design and apply curriculum and shape the hands on training at the Apprenticeship. Ron’s unique sense of humor and teaching style has impacted many ironworkers and we are grateful his service. We wish Ron a long and happy retirement.
William “Bill” Sarris
In recognition of outstanding dedication and achievement, the Ironworkers Apprenticeship would like to thank and acknowledge Mr. William “Bill” Sarris.
Bill is a member of Local 377. He attended the Ironworkers Instructor Training program between the years of 1996 and 2005. He recently completed OSHA 500 and Green Training at the Benicia 377/378 training facility where he has been teaching the Qualified Rigger course. He also instructs and oversees the welding facility in San Francisco. Bill was recently honored by the District Council for his service to the Ironworkers. Thank you Bill for a job well done!