IUEC Celebrates Appointment of Assistant General President Jim Chapman III

Members and friends of the International Union of Elevator Constructors recently gathered in Kansas City, MO, to celebrate the appointment of Jim Chapman III to his new role as Assistant General President.

“We’re very proud of him,” said Local 12 Historian Cole Haston, who kicked off the night’s event. “It’s a moment in our local’s history and it’s time to celebrate… we’re really happy to have all these people in from out of town… it’s a huge event for Local 12, such an honor for us.”

From IUEC leadership past and present, to elevator constructors who worked alongside him in the field, to longtime friends and family, people who have known Jim personally and professionally had the opportunity to share their experiences working with him. The same characteristics were mentioned repeatedly – his knowledge of the contract, bylaws, and constitution; willingness to answer questions; integrity; and helpful nature with IUEC members from all across the spectrum, from probationary apprentices through retirees with decades of experience.

IUEC General President Frank Christensen told the group that the focus and willingness to step up and get things done that made Jim successful as a Regional Director will serve him well in his new role. “He jumps into things and all of a sudden he’ll say, you know, hey, Frank, I took this part off of you, I took this part off. It just tells you what type of guy he is… he always had that big union heart.”

“He’s honest, very direct. He’s got a great knowledge of the agreement, which is key,” said Retired IUEC Assistant General President Jim Bender. “He understands the constitution and bylaws. He’s just all around a solid guy.”

“He shined as a leader right out of the gate,” said Ed Sargent, Business Manager of IUEC Local 12. “We needed good leadership in the local, and he stepped into the business agent position right when we needed it. And, I think, really brought unity back to our local community.”

John McNerney, retired IUEC Regional Director and member of Local 12, said that Jim’s knowledge of the agreement and diplomatic style of communication will be an asset to the IUEC. “He knows the agreement very well. He’s very reasonable to deal with, both for the members and through the companies,” he said.

Ed Sullivan, who served as IUEC General President and President of the National Building & Construction Trades Department (BCTD), AFL-CIO, was confident that the IUEC made the right decision in choosing Jim to step into this role. “I know he’s going to do a good job,” he said. “I’ve seen him. I’ve listened to him. I’ve watched him. He’s got it. He’s got what it takes.”

Ken Rogers, retired former President of IUEC Local 12 (1978-1983), was especially pleased that as a member of Local 12, Jim started an annual tradition of hosting a Retirees Appreciation night. He’s known Jim a long time – “I was there when he was born… his father was our best man when we got married almost sixty years ago. So I’ve known the family. And his grandfather is the one that got me in the elevator trade,” he said.

While Ken didn’t have the opportunity to work directly with Jim, he did work with his father, Jim Chapman II – and the working relationship and friendship between the multigenerational elevator families continued on to the next generation. “Jim and my youngest son (Eric Rogers, EIWPF National Coordinator and member of Local 12) were sworn in to the elevator trade on the same night,” he told us.

Eric Rogers said, “He’s very labor union oriented. I think myself and many other members of Local 12 knew that he was going to end up in that international office in some position or another… it’s just his work ethic and again, his knowledge of how the union movement works…he knows the contract. He knows the constitution and bylaws. If you ask him a question, he’s ready to pop it off. He knows exactly what to reference.”

Kevin Perkins, Business Manager of Local 11, said that one of the things he enjoyed most about working with Jim is his willingness to educate younger members of the trade. He described him as “…someone who truly helps and cares about the young people…any question you have is something that he looks forward to being able to help with so that we can move forward, prosper as a union, and stay focused on what the future of the international is.”

Richard Sargent, EIWPF National Coordinator and member of IUEC Local 12 described Jim as a mentor. He said: “He knows the collective bargaining agreement like the back of his hand…and can meet everyone on common ground.”

Jimmy Demmel, Assistant National Director of the Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund (EIWPF), shared the following: “He’s a fireball. Super intelligent. Listens to what you have to say, can come back with a counter. And the discussion is just great… he doesn’t take himself too seriously, but he takes his job very seriously…I’m very proud to have him as an AGP. He’s going to do wonderful things in that position.”

Jessica Springfield, mechanic and Treasurer for IUEC Local 12, first met Jim when she called him on the phone to ask a question shortly after moving to the area. “I randomly called him one day out of the blue was and just like, hey, I got your number from somebody. I have a question. Can I talk to you? (He responded) ‘Yeah, absolutely. What do you need?’ And it was that instant friendship, the instant warmth. He wants to help, he wants to contribute…he knows what we’re supposed to be doing, and he wants us to do right by that contract. He doesn’t want to bend the rules, he wants us to be the best that we can possibly be.”

She was proud to be in attendance at the event. “It’s a big honor not only for our local, but for the entire international… that’s what this is supposed to be about. It’s a brotherhood and a sisterhood, and we are supposed to have each other’s backs.”

Longtime friends and family from outside the trade had the chance to celebrate the occasion as well. “His integrity, compassion, humility, optimism, and loyalty, serve as a testament to the power of goodness in the world and your organization here today,” said Ray Salva Jr., Attorney at Boyd, Kenter, Thomas, & Parrish.

There was even a cameo appearance via video from Jim Chapman II, who was unable to be there in person. “I know that you always did what’s right for the membership as you served as an elected officer and some appointments that you’ve carried out. I know you’ll do a good job,” he said.

At the end of the evening, Jim had a chance to address the group. “I feel like I’m the luckiest person in the room tonight,” he said. “I’ve been welcomed into a great trade. I’ve had the opportunity to learn from the best. You guys have entrusted me to be the Assistant General President, and with that opportunity, I want to have a positive impact on this union and on the brothers and sisters that I love…this night is a night that will last with me forever.”