Vernon Soeder

Vernon D. Soeder was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, where he attended Trinity High School. After high school, he pursued a career in law enforcement by attending the Police Administration program at East Kentucky University for two years. While attending East Kentucky University, his father-in-law, his wife’s uncle, and his brother-in-law, who were all elevator mechanics, sparked his interest in the trade.  Vernon applied and was hired in IUEC Local 20 Louisville, Kentucky on April 25^th, 2003. He went on to complete his apprenticeship and become a mechanic in 2007. He worked in many aspects of the trade including construction, modernization, service, and repair. He also understood it was important to give back to the Local that afforded him a quality of life and began doing so as soon as bylaws deemed him eligible. He served in many different roles including Warden, Executive Board, Recording Secretary, and President just to name a few. In 2016, Vernon decided to run for business manager for Local 20 and started that role in December of 2016. While Manager of Local 20, he also sat on the Executive Board for the Kentucky State Building Trades, served as a trustee for the Central Kentucky Building and Construction Trades, and served as trustee for the Central Louisville Construction and Building Trades.

Vernon has been a valued NEIEP instructor, teaching at his Local for 9 years. He instructed many classes including CPR, Hydraulic labs, forklift, and many yearly curriculums for NEIEP.  He earned a certificate in classroom instruction from Roger Williams University. In December of 2024, he was asked to join EIWPF and was immediately placed in the OSHA program, where he hit the ground running. He quickly qualified for his OSHA General Industry Trainer card and is poised to take the OSHA Master Instructor evaluation in April of 2025. At EIWPF, Vernon also provides subject matter expertise for the media team.

Vernon resides in Louisville, Kentucky with his lovely wife of 27 years, Janell, their 4 children, and 6 grandchildren. He enjoys spending time camping and boating on the Lake. Vernon is incredibly proud that his son, and 3 of his nephews, have also joined this great trade in Local 20.