'Making the Lives of Working People Better'
Interview with Hill

IEC Issues Commendation
Hill's new title: President Emeritus

Ill. Wireman
Takes the Reins
IEC Appoints
Lonnie R. Stephenson

Ruhmkorff New IVP
Indiana native appointed to fill Sixth District vacancy

Easing the
Generational Divide
IBEW testifies about the need for new apprentices
in utilities

North of 49°
Alberta Election
Rocks Canada

Au nord du 49° parallèle
Les élections en Alberta assurent le Canada

February IEC Minutes

International President
Edwin D. Hill Retires

He never asked any leader to work any harder than he did. Growing the Brotherhood was his passion. Whether Ed Hill was pushing for more technical tools to track contractors or launching sharp, modern initiatives to align the IBEW with today's markets, he never, ever wavered from that passion.

A thoroughly practical man, he was also a courageous leader who promoted excellence in all IBEW branches and demanded the same from IBEW's employers. Making the lives of workers better. That is what Ed says was his greatest pride looking back over his nearly 60 years in the labor movement. And he did.

The 16th member to serve as international president of the IBEW, Hill announced his retirement effective June 1. He did so only after enthusiastically recommending his successor, Sixth District Vice President Lonnie R. Stephenson, to the International Executive Committee.

Simultaneously, the IEC confirmed the appointment of David J. Ruhmkorff to fill the remainder of Stephenson's term as vice president of the Sixth District, covering Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan and Minnesota.

In a brief email to his International Office staff, Hill said, "I came to this decision after much thought and reflection, concluding it was the right time for the next generation of IBEW leadership to come to the fore."

From his roots as a second-generation journeyman electrician and member of Beaver, Pa., Local 712, Hill rose to regional prominence as the local's business manager and vice president of IBEW's Third District covering New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey.

Appointed international secretary in 1997, Hill assumed the newly created position of secretary-treasurer one year later and the office of international president in 2001.

In a message to members upon his appointment as international president, Hill said, "Some leaders in Washington revel in hobnobbing with the powerful. I recognize the importance of a strong presence in the halls of power, but I know that any power we wield comes from our strength in numbers and our solidarity as working people."

Stephenson: A Legacy
of Achievement
Chilia: Forging Our Future

Carol L. Fitzgerald;
Orley Welker Jr.

Rebuking Ill. Gov.,
Pro-Worker Lawmakers
Go on Right-To-Work Offensive;
Right-to-Work in Delaware? No Thanks, Lawmakers
Say

General Motors Goes Greener with Help
from Ohio IBEW;
IBEW Volunteers Fight Hunger in Wash.;
N.J. Young Workers Give to Neighbors in Need
Seventh District RENEW Group Plots Course for Future

70 Years of Service;
Ed Hill: 'The Definition
of Leadership'

May 2015

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