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 Raymond Sawicky
President
I
started in the industry in October 1968, working as a
carryout for Kroger’s in Northeast in Minneapolis. While at that location for
eleven
years I went through four different employers and was
promoted from carryout to part-time in 1969 and then to
full-time in 1970. In 1979 I was promoted to Assistant
Grocery Manager at the Applebaum’s store on Emerson and
Lowry.
In May 1980 I started with the union as a business
agent. In July of 1986 I was promoted to Vice President
and stayed in that position until I became President of
Local 653 in November of 2006. I have over 40 years in
the grocery industry and as a member of Local 653.
I have been married to my wife, Theresa, for over 33
years, and we have five children (Charles, Christine,
Nicholas, Camille and Elizabeth) and seven grandchildren
(Charley, Luke, Jake, Cole, Gabrielle, Paige and Lauren). |
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Richard Milbrath
Secretary-Treasurer
My
wife, Colleen, and I live in Maple Grove and have two
grown daughters. I have been in the grocery industry for
over 30 years. I started my first union job in 1977 as
an apprentice meat cutter for Byerly’s in Golden Valley.
My first involvement with the union was attending the
monthly regular membership meetings, and from there
being selected to participate on the retail negotiating
committee. I served on the Meat Jurisdiction Committee
and in 1989 was put on the Local 653 Executive Board. In
1995 I was elected as your Secretary-Treasurer and in
2003 was selected to serve as trustee on both Local 653
Health & Welfare and Pension Funds. When the CtW (Change
to Win) Federation started up in 2006 in Minnesota, I
was appointed to serve on the Board of Directors.
Being involved for 30 plus years I have seen a lot of
changes: From swinging beef to pre-cut pork to cut and
packaged meat right into ready-made meals; going from
countless small independent operators to mergers,
closings and small and big corporations being formed.
This is why I am a firm believer in unions and the
collective bargaining process. We can sit down together
and negotiate not only an industry contract, but our own
destiny. It’s an honor to serve the members of Local 653
as your Secretary-Treasurer, and I will continue to work
very hard growing and strengthening the membership of
Local 653.
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 Colleen Ryan
Recording-Secretary
I have been a member of Local 653 for 14 years and am
currently the Recording-Secretary of the Executive Board. I
am a manager of customer service at Rainbow Foods in
Plymouth. I have been married for 31
years, have three lovely children, and I reside in Northeast
Minneapolis.
I like to work with people and I believe that everyone
should have a voice in the workplace. Involvement is the key
to change. If you want to be heard, then step up and get
involved in our union activities.
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 David Maas
Vice-President
1
I am employed by Roundy’s, Inc. at their
Rainbow Foods Bloomington location as the frozen foods
department manager.
I’ve been blessed to be a member of Local 653 for more than
27 years. I’ve served on the past four contract negotiating
committees and on the UFCW Local 653 Executive Board since
1998.
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 Aaron Flatgard
Vice-President
2
I joined our union in
1963 when I got a job as a carryout for John’s Supervalu. I
am currently employed at Cub Foods in Chanhassen as a baker.
As far as my union work goes, I have participated in the
last three contract negotiations. I have also had the
privilege of serving on the Executive Board for over six
years. During that time I have participated in one regional
and two international conferences which were enjoyable and
very good learning experiences. I thank our union for the
opportunities.
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 Paul Henry
Vice-President
3
I’ve been a member of Local 653 since January 1977. I
started as an apprentice meat cutter for Penney’s
Supermarkets. I worked for them until October 1979, when
I went to work for Byerly’s. I’ve been with Lunds/Byerly’s
ever since. I’m currently working at the Lunds in Plymouth.
I was appointed to the Executive Board in August of 2006.
I’ve been married to my wife, Marguerite, for 31 years. We
have three grown children and one granddaughter. |
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 Mary K. Schmidt
Vice-President
4
I have worked for Rainbow Foods for
25 years and am currently the deli manager in Blaine. I have
been on the Executive Board for about two and a half years.
I am married to a recently retired meat cutter from Jerry’s
Cub. We have three grown children and two grandchildren. We
reside in Minneapolis. I love traveling and remodeling our
1924 city home.
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Thomas Potvin
Vice-President
5
 I have been with Rainbow since I started working in this
industry 24 years ago. I began my involvement with the local
about 6 years ago attending meetings and have participated
in 2 negotiations. I have been on the Executive board for
two
years and I am absolutely excited about the direction we are
heading in. It is an honor and a privilege to serve the
members of Local 653. In order for unions to stay strong we
need members to get involved and promote not only the Local
but the employers as well. I encourage all members to get
involved at any level to keep this Local strong now and into
the future.
I have been married to my wife Julie for 20 years and have
two great children, Sarah and Charlie. We have lived in Minnetonka for
the past 13 years.
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 Doug Dehmer
Vice-President 6
I have been married to
my wife Michelle for 31 years and we have
three children: Steven, Kevin and Ellen. I have been a member
of Local 653 for 29 years and have served on the Executive
Board for almost two years. I’ve also served on three
contract negotiating committees. I’ve worked as a meat
cutter for 28 years at Byerly’s, and am currently Meat and
Seafood Manager at Fresh Seasons Markets.
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Theresa Kick
Vice-President 7
 I began my career as a cashier at the Bloomington Holiday
store back in 1970. I have seen many changes. I have worked
in many different stores and held numerous positions, such
as cashier, customer service manager, assistant general
merchandise manager, and receiving clerk. I am currently the
pricing coordinator at Cub Foods Burnsville South. Having
been through two ownership changes, I know the stress and
uncertainty that can bring. I was extremely grateful that UFCW Local 653 was there to guide, protect and see us
through those changes. I regularly attend union meetings and
have recently served on the negotiating committee. I am
proud to serve my fellow members of UFCW Local 653 as a
board member. We--the people--make it strong! Join in,
attend our monthly meetings, get involved and share your
ideas. Together we can make a difference for ourselves, our
families, and our community.
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Lorrie Wayman
Vice-President 8
 When I got my start in the grocery business I was 16, just
looking for a job. Supervalu in Minneapolis is where I
called home until we shut our doors some 12 years later. I
took some time off to be a stay-at-home Mom with my three
children: Douglas, Theresa, and Marcus.
When it was time for me to get back in the workforce, I
joined the Rainbow Foods team in Robbinsdale in 1989.
Working my way through the departments, from part-time to
full-time, and store to store, I am proud of my
accomplishments with Rainbow Foods.
I would have to say my greatest accomplishment in my 19
years with Rainbow is being able to raise my three children
without denying them anything, providing them health care,
and owning my own home, all as a single mother just working
a union job at Rainbow Foods. Thank you!
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 Nick Stute
Vice-President 9
My
grocery career began in 1990 when I graduated from meat
cutting school and worked at a variety of family-owned
retail shops. In 1994, I began working for Byerly's in
Golden Valley as a service employee and one year
later was
appointed as an apprentice meat cutter. I am currently
the meat and seafood manager in Byerly's in Burnsville.
My initial experience with UFCW Local
653 was a member of the negotiation's committee. I
learned very quickly the important role and influence our
union
has within the workplace and am fortunate to represent
our membership on the
executive board since 2010.
My wife Vicki and I have two
daughters and live in Inver Grove Heights. My
interests include fishing, hockey and spending time with my
family. |
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 Paul Merchlewitz
Vice-President
10
I started in
the grocery industry when I was 16 where I worked at
Randall's in Winona. I came to the cities and went to
Dakota County Meat Processing School which led me to West
Broadway Red Owl where I worked for five years. I now
work at Cub Foods Coon Rapids for twenty years.
I have been
thankful to be a part of UFCW Local 653. It has
provided me with a secure job with great benefits.
It's time to give some back and help our upcoming people.
Its a different industry. Local 653 is finding new
ways to be creative and remain strong. I'm hoping I
can help by being on the board.
My wife Cindy and I are thankful for the opportunities on
the rise. |
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Melissa Charles
Vice-President
11
I work for
Knowlan's Festival Foods, and have been a part of UFCW Local
653 for over twenty years. Being a mother of two
wonderful children, I rely on our union to help look out for
myself and my children. We have been so blessed with
wages, healthcare, insurance and paid vacations.
Being a
single mother, I understand
the frustrations that come from trying to stretch a paycheck
to cover the ever-rising costs of living. I am hoping
that my participation on the board will be a positive impact
and I want to help to look out for the welfare of our
members as they have looked out for me. As of present,
I am learning much and will continue to do so as we progress
toward the future.
When I am
not working, I love spending time with my children camping,
biking, spending time outside and running.
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 Judi Johnson
Vice-President
12
I have been a
member of UFCW Local 653 since 1990 when I was hired by Cub
Foods as a floral clerk. I am currently the floral
manager at the Coon Rapids South location.
I started
getting involved with Local 653 by attending meetings and
serving on the last negotiation committee. I begain
serving on the executive board in April 2010. I have
also become a member of the Women's Network. I have
learned that our union staff and executive board are
committed to our members.
I am excited to
be involved in the future of our union, grateful for the
benefits we have that are provided to us by our union
contract and look forward to encouraging our members to get
involved and to participate in our union events.
I have been
married to my husband Glen for over twenty years and we have
three daughters - Andria, Rachael and Brigette. |
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Scott
Larson
Vice-President 13
I have been a member of Local 653 and
have worked for Cub Foods for ten years. I have
enjoyed serving on three contract negotiations and have been
a board member since 2010 I encourage all members to
become more involved and have a voice in their future.
I've been married to my wife Patty
for 22 years and have been blessed with two children.
I enjoy traveling, golf and spending time with my family. |
