International Representative Kirk Groenendaal was appointed Director of Construction Organizing, effective Sept. 29. Groenendaal replaces Kirk Brungard, who has been appointed executive assistant to Liz Shuler, the newly-elected Secretary Treasurer of the AFL-CIO.

Groenendaal says he looks forward to meeting the dual challenge of growing the IBEW and getting up to speed on the existing membership development program while helping members get through hard economic times.

Initiated into Erie, Pa., Local 56 in 1977, Groenendaal spent some of his time traveling, working out of locals in Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania as well as working at home, giving him a full view of the different concerns within the Brotherhood.

In the 1980s, he was appointed organizer for Local 56. After serving as assistant business manager and director of the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee, Groenendaal was elected business manager in 1995, the position once held by his grandfather, Ed Sinnott.

As president of the Erie County Building and Construction Trades, Groenendaal negotiated a project labor agreement for construction of the Erie Convention Center, the largest public project in 50 years.

In 2004, Groenendaal began his tenure at the International Office, assigned to the Bylaws Department. After one year, he moved to the Construction Department, where he worked on specialty agreements, trade show agreements and special assignments.

"I understand the pressures facing local unions," says Groenendaal. Coming from a small local, he simultaneously served as trustee, training director and referral agent.

Residing in Woodbridge, Va., with his wife, Hulda, Groenendaal enjoys hunting and flying. In June he launched a plane that he had started building from scratch in his two-car garage three years ago. Groenendaal laughs when he points out that the plane’s number is N848XA. "I always used to end my local union meetings telling electricians to go out and give the contractors ‘eight for eight’ and keep us out of trouble," he says.

The officers and members wish Brother Groenendaal great success in his new position.