Kyle Whitman Promoted to Assistant Business Manager
IBEW 1245 is proud to announce that longtime member and Business Representative Kyle Whitman has been promoted to Assistant Business Manager.
Whitman joined IBEW 1245 in 2002 and spent more than a decade at PG&E in General Construction and Water System operations before joining the union staff in 2015. Over the years, he has served as a Shop Steward, Ad Hoc committee member, and Exhibit XVI committee member, and has long been recognized for his deep knowledge of PG&E field operations and his steady leadership.
In his new role, Whitman will help oversee IBEW 1245’s representation of PG&E Electric Operations and Power Generation. He will continue mentoring incoming Business Representative John Sandoval in the Sierra region, support multiple bargaining subcommittees, and begin handing off his responsibilities as Fact Finder.
“Our members are the best at what they do — my job is to fight for them, plain and simple,” Whitman said.
Jody Castro Promoted to Assistant Business Manager
Jody Castro Promoted to Assistant Business Manager IBEW 1245 is proud to announce that Business Representative and Safety Director Jody Castro has been promoted to Assistant Business Manager.
In his new role, Castro will take on all Substation-related work, while continuing to oversee 1245’s internal and external safety initiatives. Castro joined IBEW in 2005 and spent most of his career as a Journeyman Substation Electrician in both GC and Division before joining the union staff in 2020. In 2022, he became IBEW 1245’s first full-time Safety Director, formalizing years of grassroots safety leadership and advocacy in the field.
“Whether it’s safety, substation work, or day-to-day issues on the job, my priority is making sure our people have the backing and representation they need to do their work safely and confidently.”
Garrett Markwood Named Fact Finder for Bay Area & North Coast
IBEW 1245 is pleased to announce that Garrett Markwood has been appointed Fact Finder for the Bay Area and Central Coast regions.
In this role, Markwood will investigate workplace issues, review disciplinary actions, support grievance handling, and help ensure fair and consistent contract enforcement across the region.
Markwood joined the 1245 staff in 2020 after seven years at PG&E, where he worked as a Gas Service Representative and Service Mechanic. A dedicated union activist, he has served as a Shop Steward, Safety Steward, Advisory Council member, and Election Committee member, and has twice filled in as a rotational Business Representative.
“Helping working families is an honor. That’s why I do this work,” Markwood said.
He currently represents PG&E members in the North Bay and Sonoma areas and looks forward to supporting members in his new capacity as Fact Finder.