RETIRED — After more than 50 years in the IBEW, International Representative Lennie Ellis has retired, capping a career that took him from tree trimmer to the Ninth District servicing locals in his home state of Oregon.
“A lot happens during a 50-plus-year career,” Ellis said. “But one thing that’s been a constant is that the IBEW is the best thing that ever happened to me, period.”
Brother Ellis joined Portland, Ore., Local 125 in 1974 as a journeyman power line clearance tree trimmer. After a brief hiatus, he rejoined the IBEW as a tree trimmer with Medford, Ore., Local 659. In 2004, he was tapped to serve as assistant business manager, then was appointed business manager in 2012, a role he held until his appointment as Ninth District international representative in 2017.
“I loved trimming trees,” Ellis said. “Then I thought it was the pinnacle of my career when I was asked to be an assistant business manager. Then I was tapped to finish out the term of then-Business Manager Ron Jones, and I figured that was the top for a line clearance tree trimmer. Never could I have imagined that I would be asked to join the staff for the Ninth District.”
Ellis serviced most of the locals in Oregon, including Portland Local 48, Salem Local 280, Local 659 and Coos Bay Local 932. But his first love was always tree trimming.
“It’s the most rewarding and demanding job, both mentally and physically, that most people could envision,” he said.
Tree trimmer, assistant business manager and business manager are all similar in some ways and very dissimilar in many others, Ellis noted.
“Tree trimming is extremely physical with a lot of concentration required, a moderate amount of paperwork and some logistics. Business manager and assistant business manager were the hardest jobs I ever loved,” he said.
“When I was asked to finish out Business Manager Jones’ term, I thought, ‘Heck, I got a pretty good grasp of that job.’ Man, was I wrong! Running a local union is nonstop, 24/7, 365 days a year. It never slows down. You’re constantly moving from one crisis to another.”
Garth Bachman got to know Ellis during Bachman’s first two terms as business manager for Local 48.
“I would describe Lennie as a hard-working, deeply caring IBEW brother who always had the interests of the IBEW at heart,” Bachman said. “He was incredibly responsive. Anytime I called, he answered the phone and dug into every question I ever had. He went way above and beyond in researching answers.”
Bachman recalled a time when they were in a Council on Industrial Relations meeting. CIR settles disputes between IBEW locals and the National Electrical Contractors Association. The conversation between Local 48 and NECA got heated, and it was Ellis who cooled the tempers.
“A lot happens during a 50-plus-year career. But one thing that’s been a constant is that the IBEW is the best thing that ever happened to me, period.”
– International Representative Lennie Ellis
“Lennie was the calm voice of reason in the room that day,” Bachman said. “He got everyone back on track while keeping the IBEW’s interests at the top of his priorities.”
Ellis could also be counted on for his wise counsel, Bachman said.
“He gave great advice for contract negotiations and working out problems in a professional manner, which I truly valued,” he said.
Beyond Ellis’ work ethic and guidance, Bachman said he’s also able to call him a friend.
“I could talk with Lennie about anything in life, and he’d do his best to help me, or anyone. He truly cares about people and is honest to a fault,” he said.
Bachman said he misses his IBEW brother but is glad that Ellis is enjoying retirement.
“I miss talking to him on a regular basis when he was my service representative, but I’m happy that he is taking the time to live life outside of work,” Bachman said. “He is definitely one of the best people I have met in the IBEW.”
For Ellis, being an IBEW member is about being a part of something much bigger than himself, part of a community that’s always striving to help out brothers and sisters. It’s a feeling that has yet to diminish, even in retirement.
“I feel like I’m still a part of the Brotherhood,” he said.
Ellis said he’s keeping busy in retirement and is enjoying “doing whatever I want, whenever I want.”
“I’ve been thinking that I need to go back to work for a break — almost,” he said.
On behalf of the members, officers and staff, we wish Brother Ellis a long, well-deserved retirement.
