IBEW Media Department Director C. James "Jim" Spellane has been appointed Media Advisor by International President Edwin D. Hill, effective Nov. 1.

"Jim Spellane has made an immense contribution to the IBEW's reputation and public profile," says International President Edwin D. Hill. "I am happy that he has agreed to accept the task of overseeing all of the IBEW's public media efforts to put a real face on the IBEW membership as we address challenges facing our members in all of our industries in the months ahead."

A native of Abington, Pa., and a member of Philadelphia Local 98, Brother Spellane began working at the IBEW in 1993 as International Representative for public relations, appointed by International President J.J. Barry. He had previously served as communications director for the Laborers' International Union of North America and as research director for the National Treasury Employees Union.

Since his appointment as director in 1995, the Media Department, formerly the Journal Department, has grown into one of the labor movement's most-respected communications organizations.

Spellane's multifaceted skills have been put to wide use in the IBEW's far-reaching communications program. He helped usher the IBEW into the digital age of online and social media and he helped bring high-level video production in-house, launching the IBEW into living rooms nationwide through the national ad campaign.

The IBEW Journal and The Electrical Worker, which succeeded it in 2007, have been frequent recipients of awards for excellence by the International Labor Communications Association. The Electrical Worker takes the name of the union's original newspaper, first published in 1893.

Videos produced in the union's broadcast quality studio, completed in 2012, have been widely recognized for their professionalism — showcasing the skills of IBEW members and the progressive leadership of local unions throughout North America. Recent ads promoting the IBEW — aired during NFL football games and on cable networks — have won wide praise from members and organized labor advocates for putting a fresh, positive face on the union and the labor movement.

The union's social media platforms — Web site, Facebook page, YouTube Channel, Vimeo video site and mobile phone applications — are widely visited by members and union advocates. The IBEW's perspective on major issues from utility industry deregulation to the Affordable Care Act is sought out and respected by mainstream media sources.

Spellane's responsibilities included overseeing the rebuilding of IBEW's museum and archives as the union moved into its newest quarters in 2005. The IBEW's historic papers and other documents are preserved in modern facilities and the museum uses contemporary technology and engaging interactive exhibits to tell the union's story.

Before working for LIUNA, Spellane was vice president of the Kamber Group, a Washington D.C.-based public relations firm, where he developed communications strategies for several union clients and wrote major speeches for a number of labor leaders.

Brother Spellane, who holds a B.A. in Communications from American University in Washington, D.C., lives in Washington with his wife Susan Noon. His daughter, Nora, is a college student in Minnesota.

The IBEW officers, staff and membership wish Brother Spellane all the best in his new position.

Mark Brueggenjohann, International Representative, IBEW Media Department, has been promoted to interim director effective Nov. 1. Brueggenjohann replaces C. James Spellane, who has been promoted to IBEW Media Advisor.

The Media Department is responsible for producing the IBEW's official publication, creating video and text news stories and other content for the IBEW's Web site, dealing with the press, working with the international officers to shape the IBEW's message, administering the museum and archives at the International Office and working with other departments on communications-related activities, campaigns and special projects.

"Jim Spellane left us with a great department," says Brueggenjohann. "Our task is to keep staying up with and ahead of how IBEW members are getting information, creating content that fits their media usage."

A native of St. Louis, Brueggenjohann was initiated into the city's radio and television broadcasting Local 4 in 1982. He began work in that industry in 1979 while a student at Tulsa University.

Returning to St. Louis, Brueggenjohann worked for KPLR, a family-owned independent TV station as an engineer, editor and news photographer.

Three years later, after his hiring by KTVI, Brueggenjohann began an 18-year stretch that combined photography news and promotions, editing and engineering with union activism.

A one-time Emmy winner with more than 10 nominations, Brueggenjohann has also been honored with the Champion-Tuck Award for economic coverage from Dartmouth College and the Unity Award for diversity reporting.

In 1986, Brueggenjohann volunteered to join Local 4's negotiating committee. He served as chairman of the executive board and shop steward for several years until his appointment as business manager in 2004, replacing Mike Pendergast, who was promoted to Broadcasting Director in Washington, D.C. Active in the community, Brueggenjohann served on the executive board of the North County Labor Legislative Club, an influential political player in St. Louis.

"My biggest challenge as business manager," says Brueggenjohann, "was the need to protect members' jobs" as the industry moved from analog technology to digital video. He focused on bargaining with employers to secure training for members on non-traditional work.

"We brought producers, directors and assignment editors into the bargaining unit and kept all St. Louis coverage of major league baseball, hockey and football in union hands," says Brueggenjohann.

Appointed International Representative in the Media Department in 2007, Brother Brueggenjohann brought professionalism and planning to IBEW's video productions. With his assistance, the union has produced award-winning, broadcast-quality videos and national ads.

The opening of the union's new studio in 2012 placed the IBEW in the center of the one of the most innovative and high-quality video production operations in the U.S. labor movement.

Brueggenjohann lives in Washington, D.C. and enjoys motorcycling and photography.

On behalf of the entire membership and staff, the officers wish Brother Brueggenjohann great success in his new position.

Ninth District International Representative LeRoy "Keith" Edwards retired effective Nov. 1.

Brother Edwards was the first elected African-American business manager of an inside construction local.

He was initiated into Portland, Ore., Local 48 in August 1970, finishing his apprenticeship in 1973. He was hired as a local 48 business representative in 1990 and in 1996 became the assistant business manager.

In 2000, when then-Business Manager Gerald Bruce resigned to become an International Representative, Brother Edwards was appointed to the position by the local's executive council.

Dan Gardner, International Representative in the Political and Legislative Department, was a member of the council and supported Edwards' ascension.

"He was the most experienced, but he was also very calm, very cool. He seeks advice and takes it better than just about anyone I've ever met, and then he makes his decision and runs with it," Gardner said.

Clif Davis, business development International Representative and Local 48 business manager from 2007 to 2013, said Edwards led a dramatic change within the local.

"We'd had some contentious times and he calmed things down," Davis said. "He knows how to collaborate and doesn't create factions."

What drove Edwards, said Carolyn Williams, Director of the Civic and Community Engagement Department, was an abiding belief that the labor movement was for everyone.

"He was a role model for women and minorities, but there's no book on how you move up or even into the IBEW for anybody," she said. "He was a mentor for lots of people, not just minorities, because you felt comfortable talking about your struggles and knew he would give you good counsel."

Many of those relationships developed while Edwards was on the executive board of the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus between 1993-2002. Williams said Edwards' rise through the ranks changed what many people thought was possible.

"At that time, being on staff at a local was unusual, so having a black man in that position gave people a sense that, 'Hey: I can do that,'" she said.

In 2003 Ninth District International Vice President Michael Mowrey hired Edwards to become an International Representative servicing the four Oregon construction locals and continuing his mission to make the IBEW more inclusive.

"Being a business manager is the toughest job in the IBEW and you need friends — people who understand what you're doing and can help. It's critical," Davis said. "He is the model for me and many others of how to be a good leader and help people bring out the best in themselves."

On behalf of the entire IBEW membership and staff, the officers wish Brother Edwards a long, healthy and rewarding retirement.

Second District International Representative Paul J. Ward retired effective Nov. 1.

Brother Ward, a former business manager of Boston Local 103, served on the International Executive Council for three years. He was appointed in 1997 to fill the unexpired term of Frank J. Carroll Jr., who was appointed Second District Vice President.

Initiated into Local 103 in 1968, Ward was a winner of the 1977 Founders' Scholarship. He returned to college after completing his inside wireman apprenticeship. He graduated with honors from Boston College School of Law in 1981.

After launching Local 103's first political action fund in 1976, Ward served as the local's legal counsel and business representative, arguing numerous cases before the NLRB and the courts in support of the local's organizing efforts.

"I come from a long line of union movement activists," Ward said. His grandfather was business manager of a Brewery's union local. His father was an American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees leader.

Ward's union roots have continued to spread. His son, Paul Jr., is a member of Local 103 who works as a project manager and estimator. His daughter, Elise, is business manager for Local 104, where his brother, Bob, once served as business manager. Another daughter, Andrea, is a special education teacher.

Appointed International Representative in 2000, Brother Ward serviced locals representing members in construction, railroads and paper mills.

"In construction, we were faced with the ups and downs of markets. In railroad, we had to see that our members' rights were protected. But the most challenging job was in the paper mills," he said. "The paper industry was in flux. I found that the companies that remained owned by paper enterprises fared far better than the ones that were owned by venture capitalists. We had to be flexible in bargaining, while standing up for our members and not conceding too much."

In retirement, Ward says he hopes to spend more time with his six grandchildren, volunteer for a nonprofit group with which he has maintained a long relationship and perform some pro bono legal work.

"I am excited about the young worker program being developed by the IBEW," says Ward. He says the differences between his generation and today's young workers entering the union's ranks are more pronounced than the generation gap present when he came into the trade.

Fewer young workers have any experience with unions and new technologies have created much different ways of communicating, he says.

"Young workers speak a different language, so I'm pleased that the young worker program is helping them send a winning message about unions and the IBEW to their peers," he says.

On behalf of the entire staff and membership, the officers send our best wishes to Brother Ward for a long, healthy and well-deserved retirement.

The IBEW is saddened to report the Oct. 14 death of retired Utility Department Director James Dushaw. He was 72.

A Pittsburgh native, Brother Dushaw was initiated into Local 149 as a clerical worker at Dusquesne Power and Light Co. Local 149 was one of six locals representing Dusquesne employees which merged to form Local 29 in 1999.

A few years later he became a lineman with the company. He served in numerous union positions, including shop steward, executive board member, vice president and safety committee chairman.

The dangerous nature of line work moved Dushaw to become active around safety issues.

He played a leading role in winning legislation in Pennsylvania prohibiting utility employers from forcing employees to use exceptionally high voltage work methods. In 1979 then-International President Charles Pillard appointed Dushaw an International Representative in the Utility Department.

He analyzed utility contracts, working conditions and safety standards. He also served on the American National Standards Institute Electric Safety Code Committee and several other national standards committees.

In 1989, then-International President J.J. Barry appointed Dushaw to the position of Director of the IBEW Safety and Health Department. He helped develop the IBEW's recommendations for new OSHA standards in the utility industry. He also initiated a federal investigation into chemical exposure of workers at Westinghouse manufacturing plants.

In 1993, he was appointed Utility Department director, helping lead the IBEW during the height of the energy deregulation push.

"Jim was my mentor and a good friend," said Utility Department Director Jim Hunter. "He had a wealth of knowledge about the industry and was always willing to talk about it. Everyone that worked with him respected him and he truly loved the IBEW."

Brother Dushaw leaves behind his wife, Hathi, two daughters and a son, and six grandchildren. The IBEW officers, staff and membership send our condolences to his family and friends.

With sadness, the IBEW announces the death of retired Assistant to the International President Theodore Moseley, on Oct. 20. He was 81.

A U.S. Navy veteran, Moseley began his IBEW career in 1953, initiated into Washington, D.C., Local 26 as a journeyman wireman. Active in the local, he served on its examining and executive boards, and as assistant business manager and vice president. He was also active with Local 26's COPE group and its JATC.

In 1972, he was appointed International Representative in the Construction and Maintenance Department by then-International President Charles Pillard. He helped handle IBEW matters pertaining to the Council on Industrial Relations.

In 1982, he was appointed director of the department. As director, he served on numerous committees related to the electrical industry and the Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO.

In 1987, Moseley was appointed to the position of Assistant to the International President. In addition to his duties as assistant to then-International President J.J. Barry, he handled convention and travel services of the IBEW. He also served as secretary to the Council on Industrial Relations. He retired in 1992.

He studied at American University and the George Meany Labor Studies Center.

"He was a real dynamic leader at Local 26," said Buddy Satterfield, retired special assistant to the International President for Membership Development and fellow Local 26 member. "He was a tremendous leader and true mentor to me."

He is survived by his wife, Mary Sue, one daughter, two sons, six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

The IBEW extends sincerest sympathy to Brother Moseley's family and friends.