About Us

In addition to the 14 Locals that comprise the WVPWU, there are more than a hundred Members at Large who do not have a Local.  Therefore, they fall under the protective umbrella of the WVPWU for representation.

The Executive Board of the WVPWU is as diverse as West Virginia’s landscape.  Our President resides in Charleston.  Our Vice President resides in Wheeling.  Our Secretary and Treasurer each reside in Charleston.  Our Editor resides in Gallipolis Ferry.  Our Director of Union Services and our Legislative Director are each in the Beckley area.

Each of these officers is active in his/her own home Locals as well as being a major part of the State organization.

President Katrina Nusbaum also serves as a steward and Step 2 representative to WV’s Members at Large.  She serves as a shop steward in her home Local, Charleston WV, as well as an Arbitration Advocate for the American Postal Workers Union, Eastern Region.  Former offices held in the WVPWU are Director of Union Services from April 2000—April 2005 and Vice President from April 2005—April 2008.  She is also on a campaign to collect VOE surveys.

Vice President Jim Tysk As Vice President, Mr. Tysk assists other WVPWU officers as needed.  He also serves as Vice President to the Wheeling Area Local and an alternate steward for WV’s MALs.  He has served in one capacity or another for the WVPWU for many years, always being an active participant in whatever arena needs him.  Most recently, Mr. Tysk served as Director of Union Services from April 2005 to April 2008.

Secretary Lawrence “Hot Dog” Tharp is a true asset to the WVPWU.  This guy has served as Secretary for more than two decades, becoming an integral part of the WVPWU.  His unique style and sense of humor keep us going during meetings that could otherwise be tedious and mundane.  In addition to serving as Secretary, Mr. Tharp has been an active member of the Charleston WV Area Local for about thirty years.  He used to publish a regular column in his Local’s newsletter, “The Charleston Crafts”, entitled “The Dog House.”  Those of us who remember that column would greatly appreciate its resurrection.

Treasurer Gary Shorter belongs to the Charleston WV Area Local and, more importantly, keeps us all from going nuts.  He spends many hours of his own time keeping the bills paid and the taxes straight.  He makes a very difficult job look so easy.  In addition to Treasurer for the WVPWU, Mr. Shorter also serves as Treasurer for the Charleston WV Area Local, his home Local.  Mr. Shorter has been an active member for nearly 3 decades in one capacity or another and never hesitates to help another Local in need of his expertise.  Included on his resume is former President of the CWVAL.  (Still need a picture, Shorter!)

Director of Union Services Stan Morgan As Director of Union Services, Mr. Morgan is responsible for the educational portion of Convention/Seminar whenever and wherever WV hosts.  In addition to assisting the host Local in organizing conventions and educational seminars, Mr. Morgan is responsible for coordinating the Fall Seminar during those years when WV hosts our Tri-State convention.  Mr. Morgan belongs to the Beckley Area Local and has been an active member and officer for many years, currently serving as Vice President.

Legislative Director Jason Honaker also belongs to the Beckley Area Local.  If you want to talk politics, this is your guy.  Mr. Honaker plays an active role in his local Labor Council and is no stranger to our senatorial and congressional leaders, often visiting to speak in favor of issues important to working families.  Mr. Honaker also serves as Legislative Director to his home Local.

Editor Gary Swisher, “Country Roads”, is responsible for getting the State’s newsletter out to all members of the WVPWU every quarter.  Mr. Swisher is a member of the KYOWVA Area Local in Huntington, where he was transferred after being excessed from Parkersburg.  Mr. Swisher served his Parkersburg local in many positions, including President, and currently serves as one of KYOWVA’s two Vice Presidents.  As a member of the WVPWU or any of its Locals, you should be getting a copy of the “Country Roads” every quarter.  If you are not receiving this, please be sure to get your name and membership information to someone on the Executive Board for membership verification.  If you have an article to submit for publication, please contact the editor.

Mike Gallagher

Eastern Region Coordinator

 

Lamont Brooks

National Business Agent Clerk Craft

Nancy Olumekor

National Business Agent Clerk Craft

Pam Richardson

National Business Agent Clerk Craft

Bill Lasalle

National Business Agent Maintenance Craft

Russ Knepp

National Business Agent

Motor Vehicle Craft

FORMER PRESIDENTS

Dorothy Blankenship—Former president of the WVPWU—retired 1993.

Pat Schneid—Former President of the WVPWU—served in that capacity for 9 years, becoming President in 1993 and serving as such until his retirement from office in 2002.

Meet former WVPWU President Jim Cox.  Reverend Cox resides in Beckley WV.  Hailing from one of the smaller Locals, President Cox understood the needs of the members in offices where the Union presence wasn’t always as prevalent as in the larger offices.  His dedication and commitment to the members at large was second only to his love of family and church.  Mr. Cox has held various positions for the WVPWU, including Director of Union Services, Vice President under Pat Schneid, and then as President himself from April 2002—April 2008.

Jim Burke

Former Eastern Region Coordinator

Retired 2007

 

Liz Powell, Northeast Regional Coordinator, had this to say in the January/February 2008 issue of the Postal Worker:

 

“Eastern Regional Coordinator Jim Burke, whom we all love and will miss, has retired and left the region in the capable hands of long-time NBA Mike Gallagher, who now serves on the National Executive Board. The NEB serves the interests of the entire membership and is accessible to each APWU member through their respective regional coordinator. Brothers Omar Gonzalez and William Sullivan, and Sister Sharyn Stone and I wish Jim a blessed retirement and welcome Brother Gallagher.”

 

Good luck Jim.