April
2003 IBEW Journal
Retired Robert A. Damiani will retire on April 18, 2003, as director of the Brotherhoods Council on Industrial Relations, Bylaws and Appeals Department, ending 34 years of service to an IBEW career that started in Local 363 in New City, New York. Brother Damiani joined the staff in 1975 and was assigned to the International Office. In 1998, he was named by then-International President J.J. Barry as director of the CIR Department and in December 2000 was named director of the new CIR, Bylaws and Appeals Department. A member of an IBEW family of long standing, he completed his apprenticeship as a journeyman wireman in 1972, the same year he achieved his bachelors degree in business administration from Long Island University. Brother Damiani has served in the Bylaws, Organizing, Agreement Approval, Grievance and Appeals, Construction and CIR departments. He is particularly proud of his CIR work, and the Brotherhood thanks him for his dedication to his duties. Brother Damiani, a 32nd degree Mason and Shriner, has been an activist in everything from Dollars for Diabetes to labors massive national Solidarity Day demonstrations in 1981 and 1991. His organizing activities included campaigns at Pepco, Louisville Gas and Electric, the second campaign at Memphis-Sharpe and VEPCO (now Virginia Power). In addition to his degree Brother Damiani has taken multiple classes at the George Meany Center on topics like labor law and computer usage. Brother Damiani says he "intends to do a lot of fly-fishing, perform some charity work maybe even play with the grandkids someday." He is married to IBEW Education Department Director Martha Letsinger. The IBEW wishes Brother Damiani many happy years of retirement. 1 Appointed International President Edwin D. Hill has appointed Cecil H. "Buddy" Satterfield as the director of the CIR, Bylaws and Appeals Department effective April 18, 2003, following the retirement of Robert A. Damiani from that post. Brother Satterfield is an International Repre- sentative who has served in the Construction and Maintenance Department at the International Office since 1998, following 31 years in Local 26, Washington, D.C., which he served as business manager from 1992 until his appointment as an International Representative. He has been assisting in his new department since January 20, 2003, preparing for the retirement of Brother Damiani. A native of Washington, D.C., Buddy Satterfield was initiated into Local 26 in 1969, following four years in the U.S. Air Force. A graduate of Northwest High School in D.C., he attended Stroudsberg (Pennsylvania) State Teachers College. At Local 26, he became a member of the examining board in 1977 and subsequently served on the executive board and as vice president before becoming assistant business manager in 1983. In 1992, he was elected Local 26 Business Manager and in 1999, the Washington, D.C., Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO, named him Man of the Year. He has also served as president of the D.C. building trades and on the State of Marylands Prevailing Wage Advisory Board. Brother Satterfield and his wife, Victoria, have six sons, one daughter and one grandson. The Brotherhood wishes him success in his newly assigned duties. 1 Retired International Representative Charles P. Silvernale will complete a 42-year IBEW career when he retires effective April 1, 2003. Brother Silvernale is a native of Seattle who served the past 15 years on the Ninth District staff. He currently resides in Antioch, California. Brother Silvernale was initiated into Local 77 in Seattle in 1960 and served his local in a series of roles with ascending responsibilities before being elected business manager/ financial secretary of Local 77 in 1982. He also served as secretary-treasurer of the Washington State Association of Electrical Workers. Brother Silvernale was appointed to the International staff in 1988. Before he became business manager, Brother Silvernale served Local 77 as a shop steward and as a member of the Executive Board, the Negotiating Committee and the Electrical Safety Panel. Later activities on behalf of the members of Local 77 included a range of utility work related to the Bureau of Reclamation, Grand Coulee Dam, Washington Water Power, Seattle City Light and Puget Power. Brother Silvernale also served the labor movement at large, as president of the King County AFL-CIO and of the Columbia Basin Trades Council. He served as a director of the United Way of King County. He was educated at St. Anthonys and Bishop ODea in Seattle and attended the University of Washington, Everett Community College and Seattle Community College. Brother Silvernale has earned the gratitude of the IBEW for his faithful service and retires with the best wishes of the Brotherhood for a long and healthy retirement to pursue his favorite activities, like boating and motorcycling. 1 Retired Elihu I. Leifer, Associate General Counsel of the IBEW, retired on January 1, 2003, after providing legal service to the IBEW for 35 years. After graduating from Harvard Law School and working for the Civil Rights Division of the U. S. Department of Justice, Elihu went to work for then-General Counsel Louis Sherman in December 1967. In 1980, as a member of the law firm of Sherman, Dunn, Cohen, Leifer & Yellig, Elihu became Associate General Counsel of the IBEW. Throughout the years, he handled numerous cases for the IBEW and its local unions in the federal courts and before administrative agencies. He also provided, on a continuing basis, advice to the IBEW Officers and Representatives, and to its local unions. Although Elihus legal services covered all aspects of labor and employment law, in recent years his work on safety and health issues was a particularly significant contribution. The IBEW greatly appreciates his many years of service, and wishes all the best for him, his wife, Sheila, their three children and two grandchildren. |
TransitionsRetiredRobert A. DamianiCharles P. SilvernaleElihu I. LeiferAppointed Cecil H. "Buddy" Satterfield |