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 Jake Bailey - President
Jake first joined the UFCW in 2001 when he was hired as a forklift operator at Seneca Foods in Janesville. Jake quickly stepped up and became a Union Steward in 2003 where he helped to create solidarity at Seneca, and participated as a bargaining committee member in negotiations in 2008 and 2011 where Seneca members received very strong working condition improvements and large wage increases. He was elected as the chief Union Steward at Seneca in 2011 and later that year was hired on staff with the Local as a Union Representative. Jake became a Vice President on the Executive Board in 2012, and in this role Jake successfully negotiated several large contracts and won hundreds of grievances. He was promoted to Service Director in 2015 where he created relationships with top level executives which led to some of the Local’s richest contract settlements in the meat packing and food processing division up until that point. He was elected as Secretary Treasurer in 2020.
.JPG) Marie Werth – Secretary Treasurer
Marie first joined UFCW in 2017 as a contract and account specialist. She was a member of OPEIU and served as the steward for her bargaining unit. This background gave her a working knowledge of how the Union continues to support membership behind the scenes.
In 2019 she was promoted to Office Manager. Utilizing her past years of Union membership experience with grievances, contracts, and the operations of the Local, she was the point person for the needs of office staff, Union Representatives, and provided support to the leadership team.
In 2021 Marie was promoted to Service and Staff Director where she oversees the needs of membership, all staff, negotiated contracts, and assisted running the day-to-day operations of the Local.
In 2024 Marie was elected as the Secretary Treasurer. She is a strong worker advocate who brings her insight and passion for our members to the table each and every day.
Marie is a committed advocate for 2SLGBTQ+ rights. In October 2021, she was elected to the Executive Board of UFCW OUTreach and serves on its Executive Committee, promoting awareness and inclusivity in the workplace. Additionally, she is the JBS Chain Chair, a delegate to the UFCW Women’s Network, and a member of the Black Minority Coalition.
 Chad Whiteside - Union Representative & Recording Secretary & Staff Director
Chad first became a member of the UFCW in 1987 when he went to work for Super Valu in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Chad served as Union Steward from 1990 to 1995 and during this time he volunteered for the Special Project Union Representative (SPUR) Program assisting UFCW local unions in the Chicago area during their organizing attempt of the Super Kmart Center in Vernon Hills, Illinois.
In 1996, he volunteered again for the SPUR program in Local 1444 and was hired full time in February 1997.
 Brian Romanowich – Organizing Director
Brian first became a member of Local 1444 when he began working for Kohl's Food Stores in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1991. His Union Steward had made him aware of a new union program called Special Project Union Representative (SPUR). The program allows union members to receive a leave of absence employer and work for their union for a limited amount of time on organizing projects. Brian was working on the Extendicare Nursing Home project and found that he enjoyed the work so much that he applied for full-time work with the Union and he was subsequently hired on December 31, 2001.
 Scott Spearo – Union Representative
Scott first became a member of UFCW in 1984 when he started working third shift, stocking shelves, at the East Capital Pick 'N Save. In 1985 Scott began working as an apprentice meat cutter and in 1989 he became a journeyman.
Scott was a member of Local 1444 in his 14 years at Pick 'N Save and then became a member of Local 73a when he started work at Jewel. Most recently Scott worked at BKT-Bayview Sentry Food Store. As a UFCW Member, Scott served on bargaining committees for Jewel Foods.
 Ian Marten - Union Representative
Ian became of member of UFCW, Local 1473 in 2017 when he started working at Outpost Natural Foods Cooperative in Mequon. He was elected union steward in 2018 and was asked to join the staff of Local 1473 in August on 2018. While working as a Service Representative, Ian conducted new hire orientations and filed grievances for members in the Milwaukee area. In November of 2019, Ian was promoted to Union Representative. He currently oversees contract negotiations, new hire orientations and grievance filings for Kroger (Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Menomonee Falls), Outpost Natural Foods Cooperative and Restaurant Depot. Ian is also a delegate for the Milwaukee Area Labor Council and a member of the MALC Young Workers Committee.
 Christopher Hibben - Union Representative
Chris first joined the UFCW in 2016, when he was hired as a warehouse worker at Klement’s sausage in Milwaukee. After being on the job for ten months, he was promoted to warehouse crew leader. He also served on the safety committee, helping to keep his brothers and sisters as safe as possible, and help recommend changes as needed regarding safety. In 2018, he became a union steward, and in 2020, became the chief union steward. He served on the negotiations committee for the collective bargaining agreement in 2020 and 2021.
In 2020, he was offered a leave of absence to come on staff through the SPUR program. He helped with sign ups in our retail locations as well as our meat packing facilities. In 2021, he was hired on full time as a service representative.
 Nick Carone - Union Representative
Nick became a Member of UFCW Local 881 in 1996 while working at Jewel Food Stores in Chicago, Illinois. Since then, he has been very active in the various Labor Unions he has been a member of. He has lead organizing drives at various worksites for the Teamsters from 2002-2006. He was hired on staff with SEIU in 2007, serving the membership as both an Organizer and Union Representative for over a decade.
Nick rejoined his original Union, UFCW, this time with Local 1473 in the Fall of 2021 to continue the fight for worker rights. He proudly serves our members ‘Up North’, From Fond Du Lac to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
 Cindie Palomo - Union Representative
Cindie Palomo joined UFCW Local 1473 in 2018 as an employee at Monogram foods. Cindie's passion for equity in the workforce was recognized by our Local where she was recruited as a Special Project Union Representative. Her hard work and dedication to the Labor workforce earned her a full-time position as a Union Representative.
Cindie wears many hats with us at the Local, one of them being the Spanish translator for all our Wisconsin membership, another one being a member of UFCW United Latinos which seeks to promote issues and pursue interests important to all Latinx workers. She enjoys nothing more than ensuring her membership has a voice, no matter their workplace.
 John Congdon - Union Representative
John joined UFCW in 2024 when he came on staff as a Union Representative. Prior to joining the local, John spent 24 years working for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. He brings with him an extensive history as a union official, having served in many different union leadership roles for AFSCME Council 24.
John has proven experience with negotiating collective bargaining agreements, resolving labor disputes, and promoting positive labor management relations. He is a strong communicator and problem solver with a background in conflict resolution.
He believes that all members deserve competitive wages, quality benefits, and the opportunity to positively impact their working conditions.
John is committed to achieving fair and equitable treatment for members and ensuring that they’re treated with dignity and respect.
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