Union administration

3296 E. Guasti Road, Suite 100
Ontario, CA 91761
909-443-7450/909-443-7451

Serving letter carriers in California, Hawaii, Nevada and the territory of Guam

Keisha Lewis, National Business Agent

Keisha Lewis was elected national business agent for Region 1 by mail balloting of NALC members in the region in 2022.

Lewis began her career as a letter carrier in 1994, joining Garden Grove, CA Branch 1100. She became a shop steward in 2002 after seeing other carriers treated poorly. “I had a supervisor who picked on young female employees,” she said. “This caused me to want to learn about my rights. I felt compelled to learn our contract to protect my co-workers, and I wanted to change the atmosphere on our workroom floor.”

After serving her branch in several offices, including shop steward, area shop steward, executive council member, director of injury compensation and safety, third vice president, first senior vice president and executive vice president, Lewis became president of Branch 1100, the largest in the country, in 2020.

Lewis graduated from the NALC Leadership Academy in 2011 and has been a co-instructor.

“The NALC has the ability to change how employees are treated on the workroom floor,” Lewis said. “I will always be an advocate to better the conditions on the workroom floor and to enforce the contract. I look forward to working with the members of Region 1 and train and develop our future.”

REGIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS

• Allan Rios, Garden Grove, CA Branch 1100
• Jeff Frazee, Las Vegas  Branch 2502
• Colleen Karnthong, Greater East Bay, CA Branch 1111
• Jay Laviolette, Los Angeles, CA Branch 24

7710 NE Greenwood Drive, Suite 200
Vancouver, WA 98662
360-892-6545

Serving letter carriers in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah and Washington

Nick Vafiades, National Business Agent

Nick Vafiades was reelected national business agent (NBA) for Region 2 by acclamation in 2022 at the 72nd Biennial Convention in Chicago. 

After serving in the Marine Corps for eight years, Vafiades joined the Postal Service as a letter carrier in 1996, delivering mail in Longview, WA, and soon joined Branch 2214.

With no union background, Vafiades learned the value of the union quickly.

“When I started my career, I was amazed at the way the carriers were treated—and coming fresh from the Marine Corps, that was saying something,” he said. “I thought I could make a difference in the union. I had no idea what a shop steward’s job entailed, but I ran anyway and was elected.

“I enjoyed carrying mail,” he added, “but once I became active in the union, I found my passion.”

Vafiades continued his union activism, serving as a local business agent, arbitration advocate and branch vice president before he was elected branch president. He graduated from the NALC Leadership Academy in 2008. He was elected Washington State Association vice president in 2008 and state president in 2013, a position he held until NALC President Fredric Rolando appointed him as a regional administrative assistant for Region 2. He was elected Region 2 NBA by mail balloting of NALC members in the region in 2018.

“My goal has always been to leave places better than you found them,” he said. “For Region 2, that means using the talented, dedicated and motivated activist to the best of their ability and give everyone a chance to show their talents and what they can do.  That will make the region better, but more importantly, the NALC stronger.”

Vafiades has four children—Nicole, Jake, Jordan and Ivy.

REGIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS

• Debbie Dixon, Olympia, WA Branch 351
• James Frankford, Vancouver, WA Branch 1104

4979 Indiana Avenue, Suite 203
Lisle, IL 60532-3848
630-743-5320

Serving letter carriers in Illinois

Michael Caref, National Business Agent

Michael Caref was reelected national business agent for Region 3 by acclamation in 2022 at the 72nd Biennial Convention in Chicago. 

Caref grew up in a union household, and he said that after he became a letter carrier in 1994, “it didn’t take long to see why letter carriers have a need for a union.”

He began his career as a union activist in 2000, serving for 10 years as a steward for Chicago’s Ravenswood Station.

“My early activism centered around fighting unjust discipline (mine or co-workers’) and other contractual violations,” Caref said. “But I’ve since learned there is much more to our union.”

Caref also served as the Illinois State Association of Letter Carriers’ Muscular Dystrophy Association coordinator from 2001 to 2009, and was a delegate-at-large from 2011 to 2013.

In addition, he has been an Employee Involvement team member and a member of the Joint District Safety Team. He has participated in all of the various route adjustment processes over the years, and he is an arbitration advocate. Caref also is a 2008 graduate of the NALC Leadership Academy.

Caref served from 2010 to 2014 as vice president of Chicago Branch 11 before first being elected national business agent in 2014 following balloting held among his region’s active and retired members..  He serves the letter carriers for Region 3, which covers the state of Illinois.

“I will work tirelessly with the officers and members in the region to make NALC stronger and to better serve the letter carriers who make up this great union,” he said.

Caref is the father of Anthony, Alanis, Solstice, twins Cassius and Clay, Mya, Zuri and Noah.

REGIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS

• Tony Hutson, Aurora, IL Branch 219
• Bill Jackson, Downers Grove, IL Branch 1870

12015 E 46^th Ave. Suite 550
Denver, Colorado 80239
720-828-6840

Serving letter carriers in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Oklahoma and Wyoming

Dan Versluis, National Business Agent

Dan Versluis was elected national business agent (NBA) for Region 4 by acclamation in 2022 at the 72nd Biennial Convention in Chicago. 

Versluis served in the Marine Corps from 1982 to 1990. In 1993, he joined the Postal Service as a letter carrier in Tucson, AZ, and joined Tucson Branch 704.

“Within the first few days of arriving at my first station, I saw the absolute need for the NALC,” he said. “I had never seen abuse the way I saw letter carriers being singled out, belittled and bullied by management. I felt compelled to get involved to help my brothers, sisters and local branch to combat the harsh treatment by many in management.”

Versluis served his branch as a steward, trustee and vice president before serving as branch president from 2002 to 2010 and again from 2016 to 2018. He also served the Arizona State Association as director of education, vice president and as an arbitration advocate. Versluis graduated from the NALC Leadership Academy in 2007.

In 2010, President Fredric Rolando appointed Versluis as a regional administrative assistant for Region 4, a position he held until 2016. He was elected Region 4 NBA by mail balloting of NALC members in the region in 2018.

“NALC is the only defense to ensure our rights, benefits and way of life for our families and loved ones,” Versluis said. “I firmly believe that without our union, the Postal Service would no longer exist.”

REGIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS

• John Robles, Centennial Colorado Branch 5996
• Christy Bowers,  Oklahoma City, OK Branch 458

1828 Craig Road
St. Louis, MO 63146-4712
314-985-8040

Serving letter carriers in Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas

David Teegarden, National Business Agent

David Teegarden was elected national business agent (NBA) for Region 5 by acclamation in 2022 at the 72nd Biennial Convention in Chicago. 

Teegarden began his postal career in 1989 as a part-time flexible, joining Kansas City, MO Branch 30. He was elected branch treasurer in 1999, branch vice president in 2004, and branch president in 2008. He served as branch president until 2015, when President Fredric Rolando appointed him as a regional workers’ compensation assistant to assist carriers in Region 5. In 2018, Rolando named Teegarden as an RAA for the region. Rolando appointed him Region 5 NBA in 2021 to fill a vacancy.

Teegarden also served his branch as a steward, route adjustment co-leader and arbitration advocate. He graduated from the NALC Leadership Academy in 2011.

Having grown up in a union family—his father was a Teamster—Teegarden’s union activism began before he joined NALC. He worked for several unions, including the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the Service Employees International Union, and the United Food and Commercial Workers Union before becoming a letter carrier.

Teegarden’s wife, Kelly, also is a letter carrier. They have two adult children, Tiffany and Andrew.

“I believe that it takes all of us, working together, to make a positive change whether on the workroom floor, at the bargaining table or enforcing the contract,” Teegarden said. “I look forward to working with letter carriers across Region 5 to train and develop branch and state activists to make those positive changes now and in the future.”

REGIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

• Charles Sexton, St. Louis Branch 343
• Larrissa Parde, Lincoln, NE Branch 8

43456 Mound Road, Suite 501
Sterling Heights, MI 48314
586-997-9917

Serving letter carriers in Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan

David Mudd, National Business Agent

David Mudd was elected national business agent (NBA) for Region 6 by acclamation in 2022 at the 72nd Biennial Convention in Chicago. 

Following 12 years in the Army and three as a postal clerk, Mudd began carrying the mail in 2003 and joined Louisville, KY Branch 14. He has served as a compensation officer, route adjustment district lead, arbitration advocate and dispute resolution team member. He was named steward of the year for Region 6 in 2008 and he graduated from the NALC Leadership Academy in 2010.  

Mudd was elected as Branch 14’s vice president in 2010. He served as the branch’s executive vice president from 2013 to 2015, when Rolando appointed him as a regional administrative assistant for Region 6. President Fredric Rolando appointed Mudd as NBA in 2021 to fill a vacancy.

Mudd’s wife, Anna, is also a letter carrier and works for NALC as a regional grievance assistant. They have three children—Taylor, Dalton and Taryn.

 “It is a great honor to serve as the NBA for the K-I-M region,” Mudd said, “and I look forward to helping and leading the members of this great region to the best of my ability.”

REGIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS

• Kyle Inosencio, Grand Rapids, MI Branch 56
• Ronnie Roush, Carmel, IN Branch 888

1300 Godward Street NE, Suite 2600
Minneapolis, MN 55413
612-378-3035 or Hot Line 612-378-3908

Serving letter carriers in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin

Patrick Johnson, National Business Agent

Patrick Johnson was elected Region 7 national business agent (NBA) by acclamation in 2022 at the 72nd Biennial Convention in Chicago.

Following 11 years of service in the United States Army, Johnson joined the Postal Service in 2005 as a letter carrier in Milwaukee, WI, and joined Milwaukee Branch 2. He became a shop steward in 2006 before serving as a full-time Formal Step A representative in 2011. In 2014, Johnson became the lead CCA Academy instructor in the Milwaukee installation. Johnson was appointed as Branch 2 Mutual Benefit Association representative in 2015 and was elected Branch 2 vice president in 2016. Johnson also served as an arbitration advocate.

In 2019 NALC president Fredric V. Rolando appointed Johnson as RAA for Region 7, a post he held until his election as NBA.

Johnson graduated from the NALC Leadership Academy in 2014.

Johnson emphasized that his focus will be to continue to strengthen the region through training and communication. “It is the responsibility of the regional office to provide training and support to branch and state leaders as well as provide effective communication to the membership throughout the region,” he said.

Johnson has an associate’s degree in general studies from Georgia Military College. He is married to his wife, Evonne, and is the father of five adult children—Chiana, Jared, Sencere, Israel and Christian.

• Jason Karnopp, Minneapolis, MN Branch 9
• Joel Malkush, St. Paul, MN Branch 28

160 Commissioner Drive
Meridianville, AL 35759
256-828-8205

Serving letter carriers in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee

Steve Lassan, National Business Agent

Steve Lassan was elected national business agent (NBA) for Region 8 by acclamation in 2022 at the 72nd Biennial Convention in Chicago. 

Lassan, a member of Nashville, TN Branch 4, joined the Postal Service as a city carrier in Nashville in 1985, and soon became a shop steward. He served as dispute resolution team representative for the Tennessee District and then as an arbitration advocate for Region 8.

As arbitration advocate, Lassan was instrumental in winning settlements resulting in awards of several million dollars, including an award in 2005 that involved a $1.2 million contribution to the Postal Employees’ Relief Fund to help postal employees affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Branch 4 elected Lassan as branch secretary in 2004. That year, President William Young appointed Lassan to serve as regional administrative assistant for Region 8. In 2018, he was appointed Region 8 NBA by President Fredric Rolando to fill a vacancy and was elected by acclamation at the national convention the same year.

Lassan learned the value of unions from his father, a steelworker. “I believe in solidarity—it is a daily indebtedness we must have with each other,” Lassan said. “I will do my part to ensure dignity and respect for letter carriers is recognized.”

REGIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS

• Monica Walker, Baton Rouge Branch 129
• Chris Strickland, Tuscaloosa, AL Branch 1096

1101 Northchase Parkway SE
Suite 3
Marietta, GA  30067
678-942-5295

Serving letter carriers in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina

Eddie Davidson, National Business Agent

Eddie Davidson was elected Region 9 national business agent (NBA) by mail balloting of NALC members in the region in 2022.

During and after serving in the Army, Davidson worked in the Postal Service as a letter carrier beginning in 1992 as a casual, then a transitional employee in Chapel Hill, NC. In 1994, he started his career as a letter carrier in Durham, NC, and joined Durham Branch 382. 

Davidson has a solid and clear view of the union, having 24 years of working in various positions from his local branch to the national level. Davidson began as a steward for Branch 382 in 1996, became branch vice president in 1998, and then president in 2000, where he remained for 17 years.

In 2004, Davidson became president of the North Carolina State Association of Letter Carriers and a North Carolina AFL-CIO vice president. He served as the North Carolina State Association president for 11 years.

He also served as an NALC Co-Chair on the Greensboro District Safety and Health Committee, as well as the Greensboro District Lead for route adjustment processes (IRAP, MIARAP, JARAP and CDRAP) and other roles the NBA or national president asked him to take on.

He also served as an arbitration advocate and graduated from the NALC Leadership Academy in 2007. 

President Fredric Rolando appointed Davidson a legislative and political organizer (LPO) in 2017 and then executive assistant to the president, a job he held until his election as NBA.

I believe, leadership is unlocking a person’s potential to maximize their growth and always being able to put your ego to the side and open your ears and mind so not only can you grow but everyone around can too. We must remember always, what one of my favorite quotes states, “ True leaders don’t create followers, they create more leaders.”

Davidson is married to Christina Vela Davidson and has three children, Montana Shae’, Mia Sky, and Tre’.

• Anthony Ali, Central Florida Branch 1091 
• Dexter Lester, Winston-Salem, NC Branch 461
• Ben Paul, Lakeland, FL Branch 1779

2001 Lakeside Parkway
Flower Mound, TX 75028
281-540-5627

Serving letter carriers in New Mexico and Texas

Shawn Boyd, National Business Agent

Shawn Boyd was elected national business agent for Region 10 by acclamation in 2022 at the 72nd Biennial Convention.

Boyd joined the Postal Service in 1997 as a letter carrier in Mesquite, TX, and joined Dallas Branch 132. In 1999, he transferred within the branch to his hometown of Sulphur Springs, TX, where he later became steward.

“When I transferred to Sulphur Springs, I worked with great letter carriers who were passionate about the NALC and unionism,” he said. “A few years after arriving and getting involved with my union brothers and sisters, I was targeted by an abusive supervisor. I was suspended without pay and the union successfully grieved the action. From that point forward I wanted to learn what I could do to help letter carriers. My local branch was critical in my growth, teaching me the basics of how to help others.”

Boyd served his branch as a steward, Formal Step A designee, trustee and editor. He also served the Texas State Association of Letter Carriers as a congressional district liaison, board member and treasurer. Boyd also worked as a local business agent and NALC Headquarters advocate from 2008 to 2014. He has assisted the NALC vice president with arbitration advocate training since 2015.

In 2014, President Fredric Rolando appointed Boyd as assistant to the president for contract administration, and in 2015 appointed him regional administrative assistant for Region 10.

Boyd graduated from the NALC Leadership Academy in 2007.

“The future of the NALC requires that we as members unite on issues that affect us more than ever,” Boyd said. “Preparing the next generation of new union activists across the country for the challenges ahead is essential for our continued success.”

He and his wife, Joyce, have two sons—Caleb, who works for the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Mason, who serves in the Army.

REGIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS

• Karrie Blough, Houston, TX Branch 283
• Arturo “A.G.” Ramirez, Houston, TX Branch 283

2500 W Erie Ave
Lorain, OH 44053-1056
440-282-4340, 440-282-4341

Serving letter carriers in upstate New York and Ohio

Mark S. Camilli, National Business Agent

Mark S. Camilli was elected national business agent (NBA) for Region 11 by acclamation in 2022 at the 72nd Biennial Convention in Chicago. 

After serving in the Navy in Operation Desert Storm, Camilli began his career as a letter carrier in Schenectady, NY, in 1997 and joined Northeastern New York Branch 358.

“Raised in a union household, I learned at an early age on how important the labor movement is for middle-class families,” he said. “When hired as a letter carrier in 1997, I immediately and proudly became a member of the NALC.”

As a union activist, Camilli’s many activities included serving as Formal A representative, local business agent and lead team member for route adjustments. Camilli also served as vice president of the Saratoga County Central Labor Council. He graduated from the NALC Leadership Academy in 2007.

In 2009, President William Young appointed Camilli a regional administrative assistant for Region 11. He was elected NBA by acclamation at the 2018 NALC Biennial Convention in Detroit.

Camilli’s union experience taught him the value of political involvement for working men and women. “I then got hooked in political activism when I attended a local labor council event and listened to a local congressman thank the letter carriers for his successful election and his pledge to support us,” he said. “I quickly learned that educating elected officials combined with volunteering some time in get-out-the-vote efforts was a powerful tool.”

“By looking out for each other—by training and developing our current and next generation of activists—and only by working together,” he said, “we’ll keep the NALC the best union in the country.”

Camilli earned a degree in business management from Empire State College, State University of New York. He and his wife, Wendy, have three children—Mark Jr., Kyle and Rachel.

REGIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS

• David Kennedy, Cincinnati, OH Branch 43
• Mike Brim, Columbus, OH Branch 78

Four Neshaminy Interplex, Suite 111
Trevose, PA 19053
215-824-4826 or 4827

Serving letter carriers in Pennsylvania, South Jersey, and Central New Jersey Offices in Bordentown, Bricktown, Hopewell, Princeton, Toms River and Trenton

Brian Thompson, National Business Agent

Brian Thompson was elected national business agent (NBA) for Region 12 by acclamation in 2022 at the 72nd Biennial Convention in Chicago. 

Thompson began his career as a carrier in 2004 after working as a clerk. He served as president, executive vice president and secretary-treasurer of New Castle, PA Branch 22. He also worked as an arbitration advocate, NALC district team lead and route adjustment team member, and served on the Pennsylvania State Association executive board. Thompson participated in the NALC National Joint Task Force for Article 8, Route Adjustment, Workplace Environment and City Delivery in 2013.

President Fredric Rolando appointed Thompson an RAA for Region 12 in 2016, and then as NBA in 2020 to fill a vacancy.

Thompson graduated from the NALC Leadership Academy in 2009.

REGIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

• Leo Zachwieja, Philadelphia Branch 157
• Steve Wiley, Bux-Mont, PA Branch 920

P.O. Box 2660
Ashburn VA 20146-2660
(703) 840-2010

Serving letter carriers in Delaware, Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia

Vada Preston, National Business Agent

Vada Preston was reelected national business agent (NBA) for Region 13 by acclamation in 2022 at the 72nd Biennial Convention in Chicago. 

Preston has been a letter carrier since 1986, having been hired following four years of active service in the U.S. Air Force and two years in the Reserves. He immediately joined Tidewater Virginia Branch 247 and became his branch’s scribe; his duties included writing his branch’s monthly Branch Items for The Postal Record.

In 1992, Preston became a shop steward, a role he served in for four years until his election as vice president of Branch 247. Following six years of service as vice president, he was elected branch president in 2002.

“Coming from a family history filled with union advocates,” Preston said, “I became active in the union when it was obvious to me that carriers were not being treated fairly. I saw first-hand management’s mistreatment and disrespect of letter carriers.”

In addition to his branch office duties, Preston also has served as a backup dispute resolution team member. As a local business agent, he trained fellow members; as an arbitration advocate, he presented cases in arbitration.

“I thought I could make a difference by standing up for my fellow carriers and make a real contribution to improving the work environment,” he said. “At that time, and to this day, I’ve focused on improving the workplace environment.”

In 2005,  President William Young appointed Preston to be a regional administrative assistant for Region 13. President Fredric Rolando appointed Preston to serve as NBA in 2017 to fill a vacancy, and he was elected NBA by acclamation at the national convention in Detroit the following year.

Preston has an associate’s degree in business management and finance. He lives in Maryland. He is the father of two daughters and one son.

REGIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS

• Hugh McElroy Rockville, MD Branch 3825
• Tonya Detrick, Hagerstown, MD Branch 443

33 Boston Post Rd W
Suite 360
Marlborough, MA 01752-1813
617-363-9299

Serving letter carriers in central and eastern Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont

Richard J. “Rick” DiCecca, National Business Agent

Richard J. “Rick” DiCecca was elected national business agent (NBA) for Region 14 by acclamation in 2022 at the 72nd Biennial Convention in Chicago. 

DiCecca began his letter carrier career at the Andover, MA, post office as a part-time flexible in 1984 and joined Massachusetts Northeast Merged Branch 25.

“I was raised in a union household,” DiCecca said. “Whenever I started a job, the first thing my father told me to do was join the union. I took his words to heart.”

DiCecca became a union activist immediately. “I met both the chief steward and alternate steward within five minutes. I had a contract in my hand within six, and a supervisor on my back within seven,” he said.

It wasn’t long before DiCecca became a steward. “It took a while for management to realize I was not going to bend the four corners of the contract for any reason. Once the members realized the strength we possessed as a group, things began to change,” he added.

DiCecca held a number of positions in his branch, including director of education, before the branch elected him as vice president in 1989 and then executive vice president in 1994. In 1996, he was elected president of the Massachusetts State Association, serving until 1999, when President Vincent Sombrotto appointed him a regional administrative assistant for Region 14. He was elected NBA by acclamation at the 2018 Biennial Convention in Detroit.DiCecca said his goals as NBA include boosting communication, training, Letter Carrier Political Fund participation, organizing, “and most importantly, finding and mentoring the future leaders of Region 14.”

DiCecca and his wife, Cathy, have three adult children—Caitlin, Shauna and Ricky.

• Jerry Ugone, Hartford, CT Branch 86
• Kenneth Janulewicz, Worcester, MA Branch 12

347 W. 41st Street, Suite 102
New York, NY 10036
212-868-0284

Serving letter carriers in western Connecticut, northern New Jersey, New York, and the territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

Bruce Didriksen, National Business Agent

Bruce Didriksen was elected national business agent for Region 15 by acclamation in 2022 at the 72nd Biennial Convention in Chicago. 

After becoming a letter carrier, Didriksen joined NALC in November of 1971 and only three weeks later was elected president of his small branch, Park Ridge, NJ Branch 4282. He also served as an alternate steward. When his branch merged with Ridgewood, NJ Branch 991, he served as vice president until that branch merged with New Jersey Merged Branch 38, where he then served as first vice president until he was elected president of Branch 38 in 1994.

In 2002, he was appointed a regional administrative assistant for Region 15.

Throughout his career, Didriksen served the union in other ways, including as branch newsletter editor, arbitration advocate and scholarship chairman. He graduated from the AFL-CIO Leadership Academy in 1977.

Didriksen has a son, Erik.

“The thing in my NALC career that I am actually proudest of is the role I played in Branch 991 prior to our merger with Branch 38,” Didriksen said. “In a four-year period, we increased branch membership by about 1,500 through dozens of mergers.”

REGIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS

• Tom Matthews, Long Island, NY Merged Branch 6000
• Orlando Gonzalez, New York City Branch 36
• Tony Perconte, Scotch Plains, NJ Branch 4102