Union Strong
A Record of Action, Not Just Tenure
I am an Industrial Mechanic and a Water Treatment Plant Operator for the City of Ann Arbor. I hold a Michigan F-1 license—the highest technical designation in our field—and studied at Dartmouth College. In my five years with the City, I have proven that results matter more than length of service. While others waited for their turn, I stepped up to rewrite 20 contract articles, file the FOIAs that exposed city spending, keep members informed on important union issues, and draft successful MOU language for management to solve member issues.
My "Why": Heritage and Resilience
My commitment to labor is deeply personal. As a member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, I grew up on government assistance and learned early on what it means to fight for a seat at the table. I spent years in South Dakota—a state that lacks a strong union presence—and I have experienced firsthand the inherent unfairness and mistreatment that comes with being a non-union employee. I watched my own family struggle because they lacked collective protections. That experience is why I work "vampire hours" today: to ensure that no member of Local 369 ever has to stand alone.
A Future-First Vision
I believe that a union should protect its current members while building a foundation for those who will follow in our footsteps. Decisions made by long-tenured leadership have too often focused on the short term; I am running to ensure our union is stronger ten years from now than it is today. Whether I am hanging off the side of a dam to keep our infrastructure running or sitting at the bargaining table to demand progressive wage increases, I am not afraid of daunting tasks. I am a father, a technician, and a fighter, and I am asking for your vote in the upcoming election so we can write this next chapter together.
AFSCME Dave
Quick Facts
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Dedicated leader running for Union President.
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Experienced Michigan F-1 Licensed Operator & Industrial Mechanic.
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Successful advocate for overturning outdated constitutional requirements for the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe.
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Committed father and husband supporting the families of Local 369.