Brother Tremaine Carter

February Member of the Month

Tremaine Carter – Local 159

When our organizer, Christian Suspiria, receives a request from a non-union contractor for a Local 159 apprentice on a prevailing wage job, he needs someone he can trust—someone who will represent our union with professionalism, skill, and integrity. He confidently sends February’s member of the month, Tremaine Carter. Tremaine not only delivers high-quality work, but he reports back, ensures everything is done correctly, and represents what a union apprentice should be. That’s what makes SB-82 such a powerful organizing tool—and Tremaine is exactly the example we strive for.

The same professionalism Tremain shows on SB-82 made him a good fit for a short notice, short call to one of our newest contractors in town. As Applied Finishes wraps up its first job here in Las Vegas, that contractor had success due to the hard work of members who are willing and able to jump in and commit to the job at hand.

A Journey Into the IUPAT

Tremaine began his career as an HVAC technician before one of our own members—a taper—handed him a flyer and introduced him to District Council 15 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades. After an interview and a short test, he was working within two weeks for Vergith at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas.

While just a 50% apprentice —Tremaine has  worked on a swing stage crew at Hilton Grand Vacations and has continued to work on some of the most iconic projects in our city. He has:

• Been part of the industrial painting crew operating 150- and 110-foot booms at Las Vegas Raiders Stadium
• Worked at Sphere
• Contributed to projects at Resorts World Las Vegas, water tanks, office buildings, and everything in between

One challenge that stands out was being asked to drive a boom inside a dark water tank while sandblasting at height—something he never imagined when becoming a commercial painter. Instead of shying away, Tremaine embraced the opportunity to learn and grow.

Mentorship and Growth

Tremaine is especially grateful for leaders and mentors like Roy Pinkard, Jack Bumgarner, and Beau Villegas, who were honest with him and pushed him to improve. Beau once told him, “If you don’t  those doors right you spray them again tomorrow—so you better spray them right today.”
Jack helped him master masking a straight line.
Roy emphasized the importance of safety above all else.

He also remembers a journeyman telling him: A good journeyman fixes mistakes before the foreman even realizes one was made. That lesson stuck.

One class memory stands out—an instructor demonstrating that a true painter doesn’t rely solely on tape but can pull it off and cut in clean with a steady hand. That moment showed Tremaine what craftsmanship really means.

Training, Brotherhood, and High Performance

Tremaine appreciated the diversity of the apprenticeship program—being in classes with people of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences, united by the common goal of mastering the trade.

He has enjoyed many advanced training opportunities, especially scaffolding, fall protection, and epoxy flooring classes. In fact, he has another class scheduled this Saturday—because he is always looking to improve.

He has attended two STAR picnics and still proudly wears the boots he won at one of them. He even reconnected with childhood friends from the Road Kill Grill during one of those events.

Though he hasn’t yet had the opportunity to participate in a picket or other union actions, he looks forward to becoming more involved.

To Tremaine, “high performance, high value” means valuing your craft and giving it your all. Working on production jobs taught him that production doesn’t just mean being fast—it means being fast, clean, and good.

Family and Life Outside the Trade

Tremaine loves football in every form—watching pro and college games, fantasy football, coaching, playing, and even betting. He was part of a state championship high school team here in Las Vegas, playing special teams and defense.

He also enjoys boxing—watching, training, and participating—along with everything else the city has to offer.

He has two younger brothers involved in football and combat sports, and although they’re younger, they’ve kept him competitive his whole life.

Most importantly, Tremaine is a proud father of three. His children are his world, and he loves being active with them and sharing his passion for sports.

A True Representative of Local 159

Tremaine has completed all of his classroom training and is finishing the last of his hours before journeying out. He looks forward to earning his journeyman status—a recognition of the hard work and dedication he has put into becoming a well-rounded craftsman.

He was recommended as February’s Member of the Month because of his work on SB-82 jobs and the way he represents Local 159—with skill, integrity, adaptability, and a great attitude.

Whether working outside his comfort zone, driving a boom inside a water tank, or helping a brand-new contractor succeed in Las Vegas, Tremaine shows what it means to be a union painter.

He is well-rounded.
He values the craft.
He keeps learning.
He stays ready.

Please join us in congratulating Tremaine Carter, February’s Member of the Month, and a true example of what it means to represent Local 159 with pride. 👏