Retirement Announcement

Members: 

After nearly 34 years of service, I am unexpectedly announcing my retirement from the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters (NCSRCC) effective May 1, 2022. I have worked a long and fulfilling career beginning as a millwright apprentice on August 26, 1988.

Prior to becoming Executive Secretary-Treasurer (EST), I served in many different capacities with the regional council including as a welding instructor at LJ Shosten Training Center, business representative, and president of millwright Local 548. I also served on the International Renewable Energy Committee, the Twin Cities Carpenters Training Trust, and the Twin Cities Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee.
 
I am proud of the lucrative settlements that have been achieved in collective bargaining and the expansion of member voices on our bargaining teams. I will continue to participate in bargaining until my retirement. During my tenure, I also created the dollar bank and the health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), helped stabilize the pension funds and led the effort to create the lifetime income benefit fund and the flex-choice allocation program. The regional council also expanded under my leadership to include an additional 4,350 members and eight locals from eastern Iowa and Milwaukee, WI and 1,600 members from ten industrial locals in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
 
Unfortunately, my medical conditions, including long COVID, have placed me in the difficult position of announcing my retirement earlier than anticipated. Although I did not make this decision hastily, retirement will provide me the opportunity to focus upon my health and family.
 
As President of NCSRCC, Matt Campanario has appointed Executive Director Pat Nilsen to the position of Executive Secretary-Treasurer effective upon my retirement. On Tuesday, March 15, 2022, the NCSRCC Executive Board acted to fully support President Campanario’s appointment of Pat Nilsen as the Executive Secretary-Treasurer.
 
I have worked alongside Pat and with our entire leadership team for the past eleven years. I have the utmost confidence in Pat and all our staff to continue our culture of partnership with our signatory contractors and our membership. I anticipate a seamless transition with operations continuing to function at the same high level.
 
Thank you for your trust and support of my leadership throughout my career. It has been humbling and appreciated to be surrounded by the dedicated, hardworking members and staff throughout our regional council.  
 
In Solidarity,

John G. Raines
Executive Secretary-Treasurer
North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters