Meet Your Leadership!

To our DC16 members—have you ever wondered who’s behind the day-to-day work of District Council 16 and what we’re here to do?

DC16 represents and supports union painters, glaziers, drywall finishers, floorcoverers, and allied trades across Northern California and Nevada, working to protect your wages, benefits, and working conditions while creating opportunities for growth and advancement. From negotiating strong contracts to advocating for workers’ rights and investing in training and safety, everything we do is centered on strengthening our membership and building a better future for you and your families.

Our leadership team plays a key role in carrying out that mission—bringing experience, accountability, and a commitment to serving the membership. Get to know the individuals who help guide DC16 forward!

Robert Williams III

District Council 16

Business Manager / Secretary-Treaurer

Please tell us about your personal history with our great union.

I am Robert Williams III, a proud third-generation District Council 16/Local Union 741 (Martinez, California) member. I joined Local Union 741 as a painter apprentice in December 1998, following in the footsteps of my father, Bob Williams Jr., and Grandfather, Robert Williams Sr. Through the years, I have been blessed to be the Business Representative for LU 741 and Director of Service for District Council 16. I have been the elected Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer for District Council 16 since March 2020. Through this process, I have gained a greater respect for those who have come before us and realized that we have an opportunity to build upon the foundation that has been built.

Growing up in a union household, I heard a mix of good and bad stories about how the “union” treated people. Because of those stories, my father and I decided to start attending meetings instead of sitting around and complaining. We took the feelings we had from misconceptions and actively worked to improve our Local Union and shape it into something we all wanted it to be.

What areas are covered by District Council 16, and how many members does it represent?

District Council 16 covers the 46 counties of Northern California and the state of Nevada. Our area is divided into seven regions covering 20 Local Unions, representing roughly 12,000 members and their families.

What trades are represented by District Council 16?

We represent glaziers, glazing production workers, floor coverers, commercial painters, industrial painters, drywall finishers, wall covering installers, administrative staff, municipal workers, in-house painters, paint makers, and other crafts.

We have three Health and Welfare Funds, three Pension Funds, plus the IUPAT Industry Pension, and three Annuity Plans to meet

Tell us about your key staff members.

Our leadership team works diligently every day to improve the lives of all of our members. Our members are the reason why we do what we do. The team comprises Director of Training Alex Beltran, Director of Service Brett Davis, Director of Organizing Lance Ryken, Political and Communications Director Mike Greenlee, and Director of Mental Health & Substance Abuse James Boster.

Brother Williams, what are some challenges you see as one of the IUPAT’s largest District Councils?

District Council 16 covers a large geographic area with many regions that are extremely different from one another. California has great labor laws that help us grow, whereas Nevada is a right-to-work state with countless challenges. Challenges strengthen us, though. We have worked very diligently to take the wins from one state and implement them in the other. We’ve also taken the challenges from
each state and worked to better them in incremental shifts.

What are some large project(s) or campaign(s) you’re currently working on?

One major initiative we continue focusing on is our School Exterior Repaint Organizing Campaign. When this campaign began in 2021, District Council 16 members were working on only 11 of 76 school repaint projects. Through the combined efforts of our Organizing, Service, and Compliance Departments, we dramatically increased union participation and reclaimed market share from contractors exploiting workers and cutting corners.

We are also continuing to expand and strengthen apprenticeship and journey-level training programs throughout all crafts. One example is our Floor Covering Certification Program, which combines hands-on and written testing tied directly to manufacturer warranties. This creates additional work opportunities for our members while raising industry standards.

District Council 16 has also worked closely with the California Building Trades to help pass and expand “Skilled and Trained Workforce” legislation throughout California. These laws ensure that public projects are performed by highly trained workers coming from state-certified apprenticeship programs, protecting both quality workmanship and prevailing wage standards.

Our Compliance Department has also recovered millions of dollars in stolen wages and benefits for workers. Through investigations, jobsite visits, and member outreach, we have successfully held contractors accountable and ensured workers receive the wages, pension contributions, and benefits they earned.

What project(s) or campaign(s) are you most proud of?

I am incredibly proud of the progress District Council 16 has made over the past several years. Since 2022, we have negotiated over $326 million in new money for our members through collective bargaining agreements across all crafts and regions.

We have also strengthened our benefit funds significantly. The BAPT Pension Fund values increased by 300%, the NorCal Glazier Pension Fund reached over 100% funding, and the Resilient Pension Fund increased to over 86% funded. In addition, we returned $4.45 million in rebate checks back to members.

Our administration also helped secure major grievance settlements, including a $3.6 million Freeman Carpet settlement and a $4.5 million Olympus Construction settlement that returned money directly back to workers.

One accomplishment that means a great deal to me personally is the creation of District Council 16’s Mental Health & Substance Use Department under the leadership of Brother James Boster. Since launching the program, we have helped place over 160 members and family members into programs to help them heal and rebuild their lives. We want every member to know they are not alone and that their union stands beside them both personally and professionally.

We also purchased the largest IUPAT training facility in the union, strengthened compliance enforcement resulting in over $6 million in penalties against non-union contractors, and helped pass important legislation supporting Skilled & Trained Workforce standards and carpet recycling programs that now provide over $1 million annually to our Flooring Apprenticeship Program.

What advice would you give to future leaders?

The best advice I can give any future leader is to work every day to be the instructor, organizer, representative, or leader you wanted to see and be assisted by when you started. We should all be in these roles to help our brothers and sisters and build upon the legacy before us. Stay humble and always look to expand your knowledge. The first day you are not getting better is the first day towards dying.

Brett Davis

District Council 16

Director of Service

My name is Brett Davis. I am a second-generation glazier from District Council 16/Local Union 1621 (San Jose, California). With 21 years of industry experience, I have been in the trade since graduating high school. I began my career as an apprentice at Franciscan Glass and advanced to journeyman after completing my 5-year apprenticeship. I spent over 10 years at Franciscan Glass and seven years on the Executive Board. I held many positions on the Executive Board, but my last position was that of the President of the Local Union. That led me to my position as Local Union 1621 Business Agent, which I have held for nine years. During this time, I have gained valuable insights into the industry. As my career advanced, I was appointed the Regional Director of the South Bay offices, overseeing all agents and their daily tasks, Training the newly hired agents, and helping them be top performers at District Council 16.

I started as District Council 16’s Director of Service on June 1, 2024. Our members are our top priority, and my main objective is to serve them and guide our business agents in achieving this goal, whether it involves signing up new shops to put members to work or addressing any other needs they may have. I guide and support 23 agents from our Local Unions, helping them enforce our collective bargaining agreements and fight jurisdictional issues.

I look forward to collaborating with the other departments of DC 16 and other District Councils to expand our presence and strengthen our union.

One department I intend to work closely with is Organizing, as I believe it is the foundation of the union. We are organized into unions in many ways, whether through a family member or from a top-down or bottom-up campaign, and we can develop even more strategies to reach out to potential new members and explain the benefits of joining our union. I also plan to work with the Training Department to ensure our existing and new members receive top-notch training and education. In collaboration with the Communications Department, I aim to promote the values and achievements of the IUPAT effectively. By working together, we can all use the knowledge we have gained from our leadership roles to positively impact our union, industry, and communities.

I am excited to work with other District Councils and learn from their experiences. By sharing best practices and exchanging ideas, we can increase our membership and advance the objectives of the IUPAT.

Lance Ryken

District Council 16

Director of Organizing

I am Lance Ryken, a proud 34-year District Council 16/Local Union 12 (San Jose, California) member. Through my union membership, I’ve learned the skilled trade of floor covering and have attained invaluable life lessons. As a journey worker and lead man, I’ve always fostered a teamwork-oriented atmosphere to ensure safe and efficient project completion.

I’ve held various roles within Local Union 12, including a long-standing position as Trustee on the Executive Board. I have attended every Volunteer Activist Committee (VAC) banquet event since its inception 22 years ago, nearing 400 volunteer event credits to earn the esteemed 400 milestone VAC patch.

I have worked in the District Council 16 Organizing Department for 22 years, serving as an Organizer and Lead Organizer and conducting countless organizing campaigns throughout my career. In 2020, I was appointed Director of Organizing for District Council 16. In this capacity, I oversee a large workforce in three critical departments:

• Organizing: Organizing conducts comprehensive campaigns targeting non-union contractors, advocates for exploited workers, and provides evidence to enforcement agencies to uphold labor laws. Our organizers are guided by solid principles and a commitment to justice.
• Compliance: Work Preservation in California and the LMCC in Nevada monitor public works projects to ensure compliance with state and federal laws governing prevailing wage construction. Their enforcement actions help our contractors bid competitively and penalize non-compliant contractors with significant fines.
• Market Recovery: This union-funded initiative supports District Council 16 contractors and members by leveling the playing field in competitive bidding markets affected by low-road contractors. It’s a crucial tool in our organizing efforts, allowing funding for markets in need.

Collaboration with our Service and Communication Departments is vital for achieving optimal results. For example, our Political and Communications Director, Mike Greenlee, advocates for legislative changes that strengthen our organizing endeavors. At the same time, Service Representatives work closely with organizers on campaigns related to legitimate contractors working within our regions.

Our Organizing team also works with other District Councils to share best practices and combat challenges posed by fraudulent contractors who undermine and exploit within multiple regions.

As Director of Organizing, I’m steadfast in my commitment to confront all challenges that threaten the future of our union. It’s an honor to be part of the labor movement, serve our members and contractors, and fight for workers’ rights. It is my duty and privilege to mentor the next generation of organizers at District Council 16.

Mike Greenlee

District Council 16

Director of Political & Communications

My name is Mike Greenlee, and I am a 32-year member of District Council 16/Local Union 767 (Sacramento, California). I’m a glazier by trade, and I worked as an Organizer for eight years before being appointed the Political & Communications Director for District Council 16 in 2020. I have served on the Executive Board for Local Union 767 as a member at Large, as well as Warden, Trustee, and Treasurer. I have also served as a delegate to District Council 16 on behalf of Local Union 767 for the last 16 years.

As the Political Director, I oversee District Council 16’s legislative agenda. This includes drafting legislation and working with elected officials to pass laws that benefit our union members. Additionally, I collaborate with local campaigns, coalitions, and the Building Trades to achieve our goals. I oversee the Political Action Committee Fund for District Council 16 and work hard to ensure that pro-labor candidates get elected. I have also been appointed by Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire to serve on the California Training Panel.

On the Communications side of my department, which consists of myself and my assistant, Kristine Christophersen, we manage all internal and external communications, District Council 16’s Volunteer Activist Committee, the Walter Cantrell Scholarship Fund, Painters and Allied Trades for Children’s Hope Foundation fundraising events, IT support, cybersecurity, the DC 16 website and social media platforms, and messaging to the membership to ensure our members are well informed and up to date on what is going on in our union.

Our Political and Communications Departments can only achieve their goals through cross-departmental collaboration with the Service and Organizing Departments, which help assess exactly what our members’ and contractors’ needs are.

I am proud to be a member of our great union. I always strive to uphold what I believe to be one of the most important commitments in our Oath of Obligation, “I… will never, from selfish motives, wrong a brother or sister, or see him or her wronged, if in my power to prevent it”.

Alex Beltran

District Council 16

Director of Training

I am Alex Beltran with the Finishing Trades Institute of Northern California and Nevada. I’m a glazier and District Council 16/Local Union 767 (Sacramento, California) member. My career in the union spans over 29 years to date. In my third year of apprenticeship, I was elected a Trustee and Delegate for our Executive Board/Local Union 767 and later served as Recording Secretary. For those of you who are recording secretaries, my hat’s off to you.

In March 2008, I was hired as a full-time Glazing Instructor for apprenticeship and journey worker training. Five IUPAT trades were consolidated under one roof to maximize efficiency in training in the San Francisco Bay area. This was a tremendous opportunity to build teamwork and cooperation among our members. In April 2012, I was asked to be the Director of Training for the five trades in three locations.

Some of my many responsibilities as the Director of Training include managing a growing number of training centers in Northern California and Nevada; aiding and guiding the instructors; creating and developing curriculum; overseeing the Administration Department; scheduling apprenticeship and STAR classes; implementing rules and regulations given by the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC); working on grant funding; recruitment; working with signatory contractors; and involvement with the California Apprenticeship Council meetings/conferences.

Our training style facilitates equal opportunities, advancement, and growth for everyone. We accomplish this through open communication and collaboration with our Servicing, Organizing, and Communications Departments, associations, management, school districts, area coordinators, state and federal agencies, legal counsel, and most importantly, our members.

I would like to thank all members, past and present, for helping build and pave the way to our future. Looking back, we are amazed at how far our training centers have come. It motivates us to go even further. That’s what unions and partnerships are about.

James Boster

District Council 16

Director of Mental Health & Substance Abuse

As Director of Mental Health & Substance Abuse for District Council 16, my focus is on supporting the wellness and behavioral health of our membership. I am a first-generation union member and Industrial Painter by trade out of Local 741, where my journey in the union began in 2009. Over the past 17 years, I’ve had the honor of serving in many roles within our organization, including Warden, Instructor, Business Representative, and now Director. Along the way, I’ve remained committed to giving back to the membership and helping strengthen our union from within.

In my current role, I work closely with our employee assistance programs to educate apprentices and journey workers on the realities surrounding mental health and substance abuse while helping break the stigma tied to these challenges. Through education, listening, and creating a safe space for members to speak openly, I’ve been proud to help over 155 members and their families find support and resources during difficult times. I also serve as a DC16 Delegate and on the Health & Welfare Board, continuing my commitment to advocating for the wellbeing of our members.

I would like to thank Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer Robert Williams for his guidance and belief that we can always do better for our members. By investing in this program, we are helping improve the livelihoods of our members and their families while building a stronger, healthier union community