Lonnie R. Stephenson

Lonnie R. Stephenson (born July 1956) is a former American labor union leader.

Born in Rock Island, Illinois, Stephenson completed an apprenticeship as an electrical wireman in 1975, and joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). He held various positions in his local union, before becoming its business manager in 1996. In 2002, he was appointed as an international representative for the union, covering its sixth district, and in 2010 he was elected as a vice-president of the union.[1][2][3]

In 2015, Stephenson was appointed as president of the union, and he was elected to the post on a permanent basis the following year. He was also elected as a vice-president of the AFL-CIO. Under his leadership, membership of IBEW grew each year. He focused on diversity, equity and inclusion, worker safety, and training. He was also the first major labor union leader to endorse Joe Biden's bid for President of the United States. He retired early in 2023.[1][2][3]

References

  1. ^ a b "IBEW President Lonnie R. Stephenson Retires, Kenneth W. Cooper Named New President". Electrical Industry Newsletter. November 29, 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  2. ^ a b Ichniowski, Tom (November 23, 2022). "Electrical Workers' Union Leader Lonnie Stephenson to Retire". Engineering News-Record. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  3. ^ a b "On the Retirement of Lonnie R. Stephenson". AFL-CIO. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
Trade union offices
Preceded by
Edwin D. Hill
 President of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
2015–2023 		Succeeded by
Kenneth W. Cooper