APPOINTED — Joseph “Joe” Calabro, the longest-serving member of the International Executive Council, has been appointed chair, effective Jan. 1.
“It’s a huge honor to be appointed to this position,” said Calabro, who is vacating his role as IEC representative for the First District, one that he’s held for the last 20 years. “We’re a very select few to do so throughout the IBEW’s history. I couldn’t be more humbled and grateful.”
Brother Calabro, who also serves as business manager of Newark, N.J., Local 1158, assumed the chair role left by Chris Erikson, business manager of New York Local 3, who retired Jan. 1.
“Brother Erikson served as chair with great distinction,” Calabro said. “These are pretty big shoes to fill.”
Calabro, who has served on the council under three international presidents, said he has a different approach to leadership. Where Erikson commands a room when he speaks, Calabro is more low-key.
“Erikson loves the podium, and the podium loves him,” Calabro said. “My strengths are different. But one thing we have in common is our love of the IBEW. That never wavers.”
“It’s a huge honor to be appointed to this position. We’re a very select few to do so throughout the IBEW’s history.”
– Joe Calabro, IEC chair
Calabro said his leadership style is collaborative, and he’ll look to his fellow IEC officeholders for their input.
The nine-member IEC is the judicial body of the IBEW, responsible for enforcing the union’s constitution. It can also recommend amendments to the constitution. All nine members must be current business managers, and along with the chair, they represent eight geographical districts.
The IEC is an eclectic group, Calabro said, comprising members from all over the U.S. and Canada. Where one member looks out his window and sees mountains, another sees skyscrapers.
“There are a lot of viewpoints on the council,” Calabro said. “But regardless of where we came from, what we all share is our dedication to the IBEW membership. And whatever we decide, we all come out of the room as one.”
IEC members never forget how consequential their roles are for the rank and file, Calabro stressed.
“Our decisions affect a lot of lives, and we take that seriously,” he said.
International President Kenneth W. Cooper is the third president Calabro has worked with during his two decades on the council.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to serve under President Cooper and International Secretary-Treasurer Noble,” he said. “I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity.”
Fellow IEC member Donald Finn, who was appointed secretary of the council in December, said he expects Calabro to lead by collaborating on the issues and landing on one that the Council members will unanimously support.
“Joe is a quiet leader in his own right, and he’s said that he’ll rely on the council to come up with the best solution for the membership,” said Finn, who represents the Fifth District on the IEC and serves as business manager of Chicago Local 134. “He’ll have an open-door policy where we can come in and share our views and think outside the box.”
As business manager of Local 1158, Calabro grew the membership from 1,800 to almost 3,500. And in addition to serving on many area labor organizations, including the executive board of the New Jersey AFL-CIO, he helped establish the Child Safe Program in Essex County in northeastern New Jersey. The program tells children in need of help that they can go to any county facility or vehicle displaying the “Child Safe” sign.
The New Jersey native has been recognized for his work in the community, receiving a Distinguished Service Award in 1998 and the Italian Tribune’s Columbus Day Humanitarian Award in 2002.
“Joe has served on the IEC for decades and has been a valued adviser and friend during my time both as international secretary-treasurer and international president. He’s filling big shoes with Chris’ departure, but I’m confident in his abilities and, more importantly, in his commitment and passion for the IBEW and its members,” Cooper said.
Calabro’s accolades extend to his hobby of speedboat racing. Among other awards, he was the recipient of the 1986 Boat Racing Throttleman of the Year and the 1990 Racer of the Year.
Calabro, who was 29 when he became business manager of Local 1158 in 1993, came up through the ranks alongside Liz Shuler, a member of Portland, Ore., Local 125 and president of the AFL-CIO.
“Neither one of us ever thought that we’d end up where we did,” said Calabro, who attended Rutgers University. “It’s incredible to think about where we came from and how it all led to this moment.”
On behalf of the officers and staff, we congratulate Brother Calabro on his appointment and wish him the very best in his new role.
