Contact
Amy Wiser, Director of Communications
317-847-0745
awiser@boilermakers.org
IMMEDIATE RELEASE (PDF)
Boilermakers announce Vice President leadership change
Sulivan elected to replace retiring McManamon
Kansas City, Mo. (Sept. 27, 2023)— The International Executive Council of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers has unanimously voted to elect Dan Sulivan of Portage, Indiana, to serve as International Vice President-Great Lakes Section, effective Oct. 1, 2023, following the retirement of long-time IVP Lawrence McManamon.
“Dan Sulivan has demonstrated his commitment to the members of this union and to the future of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers time and again,” said International President Warren Fairley.
“He is, without a doubt, the right person to represent Boilermaker voices in the Great Lakes Section, and I know he will contribute well as part of the International Executive Council. He has already proved to be a tremendous asset as a leader, and I look forward to working with Brother Sulivan and to the great work he will accomplish going forward.”
Sulivan most recently was Business Manager-Secretary Treasurer for Local 374 in Hobart, Indiana, and he was tapped a short time ago to serve as a Trustee on the Boilermakers National Funds board.
“We have a great team of leaders in the Great Lakes, and I’m proud that I’ve had the ability to help our union,” he said. “Being a Boilermaker has meant everything to me, and my hope is to be the voice of members, to represent what they want and to ensure we thrive. There is going to be a rebirth in this area, and it’s going to be great.
“I hope to make proud the retirees and those who went before me, helped me along the way and paved the way for new leaders like me.”
Sulivan began his welding career learning welding and metal trades skills as a Navy Seabee. His father was a Seabee, and Sulivan enlisted straight out of high school to follow his father’s footsteps.
After his military career, Sulivan took a job at a local nonunion shop, and in 2002, he saw a Boilermakers’ ad in a newspaper seeking welders. He answered the ad, went on a job and took a make-or-break test, entered the apprenticeship program and from there, he said, he never looked back.
After graduating from apprenticeship in 2006, he has served L-374 as a lodge inspector, sergeant at arms and vice president. In 2017, he was elected as BM-ST.
“I will always maintain the Seabee ‘Can Do’ spirit,” Sulivan said. “There’s nothing we can’t do, and that’s what I’m going to bring to the table: Don’t take ‘no’ for an answer, find a way through challenges and find a solution.”
Sulivan, who is married and the father of one boy and four girls, has also been an advocate to women in the trades and to NABTU’s Tradewomen Build Nations program. He is a Second-Vice President for the Indiana State Building Trades and is an Industrial Sector Vice President for the Northern Indiana Labor Federation, AFL-CIO.
His predecessor, Lawrence “Larry” McManamon announced his retirement after serving as IVP-Great Lakes since 1990. He was the longest-serving International Vice President, and has been a Local 744 (Cleveland, Ohio) Boilermaker since 1967.
“Brother McManamon has had a long career with the Boilermakers, and he’s certainly seen many changes in the union over his many years,” said Fairley. “We wish him a long and happy retirement.”
###
Established in 1880, the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers & Helpers is a diverse union representing workers throughout the United States and Canada who are employed in industrial construction, maintenance and repair; ship building; manufacturing; railroads; cement; mining and related industries. More information can be found at www.boilermakers.org.
