Members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 175 held its election of officers at its union hall at 3922 Volunteer Dr. Dwight Wilhoit was re-elected president, Dewayne Woodall was re-elected vice president, Winfred Gearrin was re-elected recording secretary, Gary Watkins was re-elected as treasurer, and Barry Key was re-elected business manager/financial secretary. They will serve three-year terms.
Mr. Key said, “My goals for this term include increasing our membership and opening more doors for other contractors to work with us. It’s vital that we continue to foster community partnerships and fulfill our responsibility to give back to the area that has supported us for more than 100 years.”
Michael C. Crowley, Duane E. Evans, Michael P. Gass, Kerry Robert Knowles, and T. J. Wehunt, Jr. were re-elected to the Executive Board, along with new members Jason D. Layne and Caleb Long; Mark (Butch) Callahan and Ketih Owensby were re-elected to the Examining Board – Inside Journeyman Wireman, along with new member James R. D. Day; and Roger Capps was re-elected to the Examining Board - Outside Journeyman Lineman, along with new member Matt McCoy.
IBEW Local 175 represents more than 3,000 electrical workers in Southeast Tennessee, Northwest Georgia, and Northeast Alabama. Its recently compiled “Chattanooga Impact Report 2012” indicates how the union and its members contribute to the local economy, officials said. The report states: “IBEW Local 175 partners with the Joint Apprenticeship Training Center to train, license and employ professional electricians. In 2012, IBEW Local 175, through its partnerships with the National Electrical Contractors Association, Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce Member businesses and other local companies, employed over 1,600 professional electrical workers per month, providing 3.16 million annual wage hours. That translates to more than $91,000,000.00 in annual earned wages.”
President Wilhoit said, “I am proud of what IBEW Local 175 has accomplished in its 100 years of service to the electrical industry and the community. We will continue to be diligent in securing jobs and adequate pay for our members, maintaining excellence in our training programs and partnerships, and continue to be a strong influence on the economic base.”