In February, 1968, at age 28, I was hired at Reynolds Metals Sherwin Plant and started my 33 years as a union member of Aluminum Brick and Glass Local 235A (later USW Local 235). Ten years later, I went through the three-year Union Millwright apprenticeship program where I learned what I needed to work as a mechanic until I retired in 2001. My union involvement includes work as a shop steward, maintenance negotiating committeeman, financial secretary, grievance chairman and local union president.
I am husband to Enedina, who I married in 1962, and father to four children, Cynthia, Debra, Andres and Brian.
When I retired, I wanted to stay politically involved, found out about SOAR, and I applied for a charter. Our SOAR Chapter 13-1 was chartered on February 3, 2009, and we celebrated our 10th anniversary on February 3, 2019.
Editor’s Note: Int’l President Leo W. Gerard, in consultation with District 13 Director Ruben Garza, appointed Andres “Andy” Rosas as the District 13 SOAR Executive Board Member. On February 1, 2019, Andy began fulfilling the remaining term of John Patrick.