IBEW 1245 Delegation Attends 81st Annual Ninth District Progress Meeting in Anchorage
In July, a delegation of 23 IBEW 1245 Members and staff, led by Business Manager Bob Dean, traveled to Anchorage, Alaska to represent the Local at the 81st Annual Ninth District Progress Meeting. Hosted by IBEW Local 1547, the conference ran from July 14th to the 18th and brought together Union leaders, delegates, and staff from across the Ninth District for a week of networking, solidarity, 
and deep reflection on the future of labor.
While the delegation was met with a literal shake-up, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Sand Point that triggered a tsunami warning, the real tremors of the week came from powerful presentations, panels, and peer connections that reinforced the strength and urgency of the Union’s mission.
“The Ninth District Progress Meeting is always a great opportunity to connect with our fellow locals, share ideas, and strengthen the relationships that help us all succeed,” said IBEW 1245 Business Manager Bob Dean. “It’s inspiring to see the innovative work happening across the district and to share the great things 1245 members are accomplishing, from safety and training initiatives to organizing victories and strong contract gains.”
“It was a memorable opportunity to connect with fellow union members from across the district,” reflected 1245 Shop Steward Mona Garcia. “I spent time with people I hadn’t known well before, and now we’re more than acquaintances. We’re stronger together because of these shared experiences.”
Civic Engagement and Political Empowerment
A major theme of the conference was the importance of political action and civic engagement. Delegates heard from leaders, including IBEW Ninth District Political Coordinator Gretchen Newsom, who emphasized the critical need to elect labor champions and to encourage IBEW members to run for public office themselves.
“Politics shape every aspect of our lives, from local ordinances to federal energy policy,” said Troubleman Brady Brunson of NV Energy. “We can’t afford to sit on the sidelines. We must elect our own and build the future we want.”
Brunson called the experience “an honor,” and added: “We need to be involved with all levels of our politics, especially at the state and local levels. Either run for political office or support our brothers and sisters who do. Politicians who support unions and collective bargaining are the ones we need in office to help us continue to make improvements for our members and our unions.”
Cable Splicer Steve Ramirez of PG&E echoed this sentiment, noting the urgency in addressing today’s political, social, and economic landscape and the importance of organizing to meet these challenges head-on.
IBEW 1245 Business Rep Adam Weber emphasized the big-picture vision that permeated the conference:
“Union members from different IBEW Locals around the country came together for a conference to talk about common issues and how to grow our membership numbers to surpass 1 million. It was a great chance to share ideas, learn from each other’s experiences, and work together to find better ways to support our members.”
Weber added that it was inspiring to see 1245 delegates connecting across locals and gaining insight into
how the International and other Locals use political engagement to protect union jobs.
“Everyone left feeling more connected and committed to building a stronger union for the future.”
Mental Health and Member Well-Being
Mental health was another central focus of the conference, with multiple panels and discussions dedicated to reducing stigma and supporting member well-being.
“Every time we talk about mental health, we chip away at the stigma,” said 1245 delegate Iyasha Davis. “It was powerful to be in a space where these issues were addressed openly and honestly. One of the most impactful takeaways for me was learning to ask, ‘What are you feeling?’ instead of ‘How are you feeling?’, a small shift that opens the door to deeper conversation.”
Mona Garcia shared news that the International Office is preparing to roll out a new mental health app for members, a long-overdue and much-needed resource in the high-stress utility and construction industries.
Longtime IBEW 1245 member and recently retired Executive Board member, Gary Maschio, underscored the importance of awareness in the workplace. “We spend so much time with our coworkers. We need to be engaged, look for signs, and support each other.”
Broadcast Wins, Wildfire Resilience, and Veterans Support
The week also spotlighted major victories and innovative programs across the district:
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Broadcasting Contracts: The IBEW has secured new national contracts with CBS, FOX, and the PGA, wins that highlight labor’s influence in media and entertainment industries.
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Hawaii’s Wildfire Response: Local 1260 shared how the devastating Lahaina fire sparked innovative new programs in wildfire mitigation and vegetation management. Hawaii has also secured all renewable energy work for the next five years, despite external challenges.
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Veterans Caucus: Steve Ramirez praised the inclusion of a full caucus dedicated to Veterans’ issues and employment support. “It was good to see the IBEW tackling topics that are often difficult to talk about,” he said.
Delegates Reflect on Unity and Growth
The Progress Meeting wasn’t just a learning experience, it was a bonding one. Whether removing debris and pulling invasive weeds from the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail during the conference’s Day of Service or sharing meals in downtown Anchorage, the 1245 delegation grew closer, reinforcing their shared mission.
“It reminded me that we’re part of a large community with a common goal,” said Lineman Tierney Foster of PG&E. “That will be something I look back on when the work gets tough.”
Distribution Heavy Foreman Rick Pickworth of Truckee Meadows Water Authority appreciated the opportunity to better understand the district itself. “I didn’t even realiz
e which states made up the Ninth District. But being there in person, seeing people in their roles, helped put it all in perspective.”
Even for longtime union activists, the event left a mark. “This conference felt more involved than the one I attended a couple years ago,” Pickworth added. “I had a great time and hope to be invited back.”
IBEW 1245 Delegation to the 2025 Ninth District Progress Meeting:
- Bob Dean
- Ralph Armstrong
- Bryan Carroll
- Mike Tilden
- Ethan Stonecipher
- Adam Weber
- Dylan Gottfried
- Rick Thompson
- Cecelia De La Torre
- Rachel Segale
- Steve Segale
- Jeremy Winn
- Gary Maschio
- Scott Hudelson
- Mona Garcia
- Steve Ramirez
- Ryan Morris
- Dan Morrison
- Iyasha Davis
- Rick Pickworth
- Brady Brunson
- Tierney Foster
- Heriberto Ayala