Our Team Meet the team of LIUNA Local 71
William "Bill" Meers
Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer; District Council; Health Trust Chair
Bill has been a Local 71 Member since March 30, 1989. He has served as a Business Representative since 2003 and has negotiated multiple contracts. He is the longest serving representative with an intricate knowledge of the MOA, ASD, and SOA contracts. Bill was elected by the general membership to the board again in 2024, for a fifth consecutive term on the board and again to District Council. He now replaces Jordan Adams as our Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer & Representative to the Alaska District Council of Laborers. He is also the Chair of the Local 71 Health Trust.
The Business Manger serves as the CEO of the Union and oversees all business operations.
Cathy Robbins
President
Cathy has been a Local 71 Member since July 30, 2010; and is employed with the Municipality of Anchorage working both horticulture and operations. She has served as a Shop Steward since and has participated in the MOA contract negotiations. She also previously served as Sargent at Arms. Cathy was voted by the Local 71 Executive Board to fill the vacancy left by Phil Petrie on December 22nd 2025 in accordance with our LIUNA Constitution.
Brian Lashinski
Vice President
Brian has been a Local 71 Member since November 1, 2014; and is employed with Alaska’s State Equipment Fleet in Fairbanks. He has served as a Shop Steward since May of 2016 and was elected to the Board by the general membership through the regular election in 2020. Brian has also been instrumental in securing an increased tool allowance LOA through internal organizing. Brian was installed as Vice President by a vote of the Executive Board in May of 2023 when Phil Petrie vacated the position to become President, and was elected to the position in 2024.
The Vice President presides over meetings in the president's stead, and participates in meetings of the VPs with other unions.
Mark Laseter
Executive Board Member
Mark has served our union in many capacities including Auditor and Judge of Elections. He is a working member employed by the State of Alaska as a Lead Mechanic with the State Equipment Fleet, and a long time Shop Steward. He most recently served as our Sargent At Arms, and was promoted to the board on December 22nd 2025 in accordance with our LIUNA Constitution to the vacant seat when Cathy Robbins became President.
John Walters
Sergeant At Arms
The Sergeant at Arms is responsible for credentialing those who wish to attend our meetings, keeping track of when we have a quorum to conduct business, and works closely with the president to keep order in the meetings in accordance with the LIUNA Constitution and Robert’s Rules of Order.
John served as one of our three union auditors before being appointed to the Sgt@Arms position by our executive board in July of 2026 to fill a vacancy when Joe McConnell was appointed as a Board Member. John lives and works in Nome with Alaska DOT SEF Parts for the Western District.
VACANT
Board Recording Secretary & Representative to District Council
The Recording Secretary for the Executive Board is responsible for keeping the minutes and reports of the business of the Executive board within the guidelines of the LIUNA Constitution.
Chuck Gielow
Executive Board Member
Chuck Gielow has been an involved member of LIUNA Local 71 since he joined the union in 2012. He is currently working as a Maintenance Generalist Foreman for the State of Alaska, and has served officially as a Shop Steward & Auditor. Chuck remains involved in union business attending meetings regularly and is a well known conduit of information.
Joe McConnell
Board Member
Joe is a working member employed by the State of Alaska as a Maintenance Specialist, Electrician, Journeyman 2/Lead at DOT&PF in Anchorage. He has been serving as our Laborers Rising Volunteer Organizing Committee Co-Chair since it was founded. He was appointed by the Executive Board in accordance with our LIUNA Constitution on 1-5-2026 to fill the vacancy left when Mark Laseter ascended to the Board after a call to all members to indicate interest in filling the position. Joe was appointed as a Board Member by the Executive Board in July of 2026 to fill the vacancy left by Michasl FLint, who moved out of state. You can also cheer him on at the Alaska drag racing circuit.
Cye Robar
Richard Lott
Chris Tapp
Trenton English
Jennifer Yuhas
Tracy Smith
Mai Moua
Darianne Rumph
Joleen Nash
Kelsey Johnston
Dimirah Hind
Crystal White
Life on the Frontier: The Hardworking Spirit of Alaska
