Financial Secretary/Business Manager
Bruce Getts
 
     In June 2008 Bruce L. Getts was re-elected as Financial Secretary/ Business Manager of Local Union 723 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He was elected to this position after serving Local 723 for over 18 years as a steward, as an Assistant Business Manager appointed in January 1996, and as Financial Secretary/Business Manager elected in June 2005. Business Manager Getts also serves as Vice-Chairman of the IBEW System Coordinating Council TCC-2 (Verizon), Executive Board Member of the Northeast Indiana Central Labor Council, and as a Trustee of the IBEW Investment Plan with Scarbourough Alliance.
       Bruce has been employed in the telecommunications industry for 28 years, beginning his career with the Garrett Telephone Company in Garrett, IN in July 1982 as a Construction Installer Maintainer. After the Garrett Telephone Company was purchased by GTE and merged in 1987 he was active in organizing the Garrett Telephone Company employees and was initiated into IBEW Local 723 as an Installer Maintainer with GTE in Fort Wayne IN in 1988. Bruce worked for GTE as a Facility Maintainer from August 1990 until May 1993, when he took a Senior Electronic Technician position at GTE Electronic Repair Service (ERS) in May 1993. He worked in that position until he was appointed to the staff of Local 723 in January 1996.
     Bruce was appointed as a steward for IBEW Local 723 in January 1990 by Business Manager Mike Fox and was active in filing grievances and protecting the dignity and contractual rights of members of IBEW Local 723. While serving as a steward at the GTE facility at 3301 Wayne Trace in Fort Wayne, IN he was active with the membership not only in the ERS but also in the Customer Contact Center (CCC) and the Business Sales Center (BSC).
     Bruce  has been active in the Garrett community, serving as Committee Chairman and Cubmaster for Cub Scout pack 3178 in Garrett and as an Assistant Scoutmaster with Boy Scout Troop 178, also in Garrett. He volunteered as a coach in the Garrett Girls Softball League, with three city championships as a coach. He is a co-founder of the Garrett Youth Soccer program, volunteering in various capacities from 1994 until 2001 including vice-president and board member, coach, and as a USSF licensed soccer referee.
     Bruce graduated from Garrett High School in 1978. He graduated from Purdue University at IPFW in 1986 with an Associate Degree in Electrical Engineering Technology. Since becoming a member of the staff of IBEW, Local 723 he has received extensive training in labor arbitration from the University of Illinois, the Indiana University School of Law, the American Arbitration Association (AAA), and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) and numerous labor management seminars with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
     Even with his demanding schedule as Financial Secretary/Business Manager of IBEW Local 723, Bruce finds time to enjoy his family and his hobbies. Bruce has been married to his wife Lori for 28 years and they have four children; Melissa, 24 and a graduate of IPFW, majoring in elementary education; Mitchell, 21, who is a student in the NACTEL Telecommunications Program at PACE University; Molly, 21, Mitchell’s twin sister, who is attending St. Francis University on an athletic scholarship, majoring in physical therapy and nursing; and Megan, 18, a senior at Garrett High School. Megan is a three sport athlete, hence an active schedule of watching volleyball, basketball, and track. In his remaining free time Bruce enjoys golfing, NASCAR, walking, bicycling, cross country skiing, tearing up the trails on his dirt bike, puttering around the homestead.
  

Assistant Business Manager                             Jules Csuhta

Good day, my name is Jules Csuhta and I’m the Assistant Business Manager of IBEW, Local 723, appointed by Business Manager Bruce Getts in February 2008. I have held the office of Recording Secretary for IBEW, Local 723 beginning in April 1999. I became a Steward in the winter of 1997 receiving my Certificate of Achievement from Indiana University for Stewards training in March 1998. In continuation of my training, I received another certificate in February 1999. In Addition to Stewards training, I have received a Certificate of Achievement from Indiana University for completing their ‘Understanding of Family Medical Leave Act’ class in April 1998. I have also completed classes at the University of Illinois and more recently the University of Wisconsin on arbitration. Always wanting to continue to broaden my experience and further help my union brothers and sisters, I have completed the AFL-CIO Union Counselor training in 2002 and again in 2004.

I have also assisted in organizing campaigns in Westfield, IN., Indianapolis, IN., and Milwaukee, WI. Also, representing our local, I’ve served on the annual Women’s Conference committee in 2002 and have attended multiple conferences since. I have been employed at Verizon beginning October 1993. Just as important as my Union activities I’m a wife and mother. I married Mike, also a Verizon employee and IBEW, Local 723 member, in July 1993 and we have 3 children.
  
 
President
Ted Rolf
 
Having spent 40 years in the labor market,it is with great pride that I have been able to spend 32 years as a IBEW member. I can honestly say that Local IBEW-723 is the finest organization that I have ever been associated with. It has done more good for more people. I started my Union career in 1984 as a steward. It is as a steward that you learn the ropes. I was appointed a chief steward in the late eighties. I was elected vice-president in the late nineties and subsequently elected President in the year 2001. It is with great honor and humility that I am able to serve my members.
  

Vice President                                                 Corey Lehman

I have been employed by Verizon since April of 1998.  I worked in Dispatch for my first 18 months.  I then went outside as a Customer Zone Technician II (CZT II) until around the end of 2005.  That is when Verizon started installing FIOS and I had the opportunity to become a Fiber Network Field Technician (FNFT).

I joined IBEW Local 723  in 1998 as soon as I could.  I became a steward in 2000 because I wanted to get involved in trying to make a difference in the workplace.  I quickly found how being a good steward is a big responsibility.  I attended IBEW 6th District Arbitration Institute in 2005 at the University of Illinois, Advanced Arbitration and Brief Writing at the University of Wisconsin in 2006, and was able to attend Labor Management seminars at IUPUI.  I was also part of the bargaining committee for all the current Verizon contracts.

I decided to throw my hat into the political ring and make a run for Local 723 Vice-President.  I was very pleased with the outcome.  I am honored to be the Vice-President of our fine Local 723, and look forward to serving the membership to the best of my ability.

Both my parents are retired union employees from General Electric, so I grew up in a pro-union environment.  Job security, healthcare and seniority are not just words to me.  I heard them daily growing up.  They mean something to me and I will do my best to preserve them for our members.

I have a wonderful wife of 8 years and 3 beautiful children, Colin 10, Alyssa 5 and Aaron 2.  When not working I enjoy spending time with my family, playing golf and working around our home.

    
Treasurer
Daniel Tolomay
 

I have been a member of the IBEW since 2000. In Oct. of 2005 I became a FNFT at Verizon. In April 2009 I became a steward. I wanted to be more involved with the local, so in Dec. 2009 I applied for treasurer and was accepted. I am looking forward to serving all my brothers and sisters at 723.

I live with my fiance Kelly and my son Nicholas. When not working I enjoy fishing,camping,and spending time with my loved ones.

 
  

Recording Secretary                                             Rick Smith     

I have been employed with the City of Fort Wayne's Parks & Recreation department for over 30 years.  The majority of my years were spent in the grounds maintenance division and I am currently in the facility maintenance division as a working leader.

I started as a member of the IBEW Local 723 in the early 80's where in a few years I was appointed a steward and eventually became the chief steward. I have held all unit officer positions and served 12 years as an executive board officer for Unit 7.  Also I have served on numerous bargaining committees.

I have been married to my wife Candy for 20 years. My family also includes two cats and two dogs.  My hobbies are watching sports especially Colts football and being a diehard Cubs baseball fan.  I also enjoy camping and grilling outdoors.

I am looking forward to serving the members of IBEW Local 723 as your Recording Secretary.                                         

 

 

Executive Board Member Unit 1                Michelle Barbour        

I have been a member of IBEW, Local 723, since I started with GTE in August of 1988.  I have been a steward since 1992.  I started in Directory Assistance, worked in the Business Billing and Sales Center, and currently work for Verizon in the Dispatch Resource Center.  I am the Unit Recorder for Unit 1, and have the duty of recording the minutes at the monthly unit meeting.  In August  2009. I was appointed to the vacant position of Executive Board member for Unit 1 and Executive Board Recorder by the Executive Board of IBEW, Local 723.  I also hold the  position of  Press Secretary and Chairman of the Scholarship Essay Committee for Local 723.

In enjoy spending time with my dog Madison, and my cat, Cody, along with my brother's two dogs, Rosco and Raymond.  Madison is a german shepherd, Rosco and Raymond are basset hounds.

 

 

  

Executive Board Member Unit 2                    
                                                   
   
Executive Board Member Unit 3                    
                                                           
 
 
    
 Executive Board Member Unit 4
 Phil Spalding 
 
Phil has served as a Union Steward since 1977 and has been on the Executive Board for more than 27 years. First in Lagrange (Unit 3) and later Franklin (Unit 4). Phil has served on the bargaining committee since 1984, bargaining contracts with EMBARQ (aka United Telephone and Sprint). Phil started at United Telephone Company in 1973 as an I&R person and then went into Cable Splicing. Phil later become a Service Technician.
Phil lives in Franklin, In. with wife Robin and has 5 children, 3 step-children, 8 grandchildren, and some assorted dogs and cats.
Phil enjoys reading and is an avid gun enthusiast who likes to shoot.

 

 

Executive Board  Member Unit 5 Renee Holverson

I'm new to the Executive Board this year.  I've been a union steward 24 years and served on the bargaining committee since 1996.  I've held various positions in 31 years working for the now Embarq.  I started as an operator, then plant records clerk, testboard frame, dispatcher, central office installer (digital offices) and now I'm a central office technician.

I've live in rural Monticello with muy husband, Eric, of 20 years.  I have 2 boys, 2 girls, 2 grandsons and a granddaughter on the way.  I enjoy bowling, walking, quilting, cooking, watching sporting events (daughter Heather plays volleyball, basketball and field events in track) and spending time with friends and family.

    

Executive Board  Member Unit 6                   

  

Executive Board  Member Unit 7                 Mark Stafford     

I have worked for the Parks and Recreation since June 26, 2000. I became a Steward for the Local Union in 2001 and a Chief Steward in 2005. I have been an Executive Board member for two years. I have been married for 17 years with 5 beautiful children. I like to hunt and fish in my free time.

 
    
Executive Board Member Unit 8
Dennis Page, Chairperson  
 
I have been a Chief Steward for Unit 8 in Westfield, IN. since the Verizon CFS was organized in 1999. I have been an Executive Board member since 2005. I am a 20 year Air Force veteran, married with 3 children and 13 grandchildren.