Edward C. Powell, First Vice President of the IATSE General Executive Board, announced his retirement July 15, 2005 at the IATSE General Executive Board Meeting (GEB) being held in Honolulu, HI, International President Thomas C. Short announced. Daniel DiTolla was unanimously elected by the IA GEB to fill the open seat and will serve as 13 th Vice President, Short added.
“Eddie Powell has been an unwavering and staunch member of the IATSE General Executive Board for more than 30 years. His numerous contributions and counsel are immeasurable and can never duplicated,” International President Short said. “Eddie represents the history of the IATSE and has been an active participant in our growth and change over the years. We will miss him.”
Powell served as a member of the General Executive Board since 1971. He joined the IATSE Local 16 Stage Technicians in 1951 and during those years, he served as a Vice President of that Local. In addition, he was an Executive Board member and Examining Board Member from 1958 to 1963. In 1963, Powell was elected Business Manager of IA Local 16 and he remained in that position until he retired in 1994.
Powell is also a founder and a current Chairman of the Local 16 Health & Welfare Trust Funds. The Welfare Trust began in 1965 and the Pension Trust began in 1967. The Pension Fund is a Multi Employer Defined Benefit Taft Hartley Trust and has been a bellwether to many other pension Trusts throughout the IATSE.
He also has the distinction of serving as Vice President California Labor Federation AFL-CIO, Secretary Treasurer California State Theatrical Federation and Business Manager Emeritus Local 16 IATSE, among many other positions.
Daniel Di Tolla, currently serving as Co-Director, Organizing Department of the IATSE, assumed the position of 13 th Vice President.
DiTolla joined the IATSE in 1993 as an International Representative. He began his IATSE career in 1978 when he joined IA Mixed Local No. 632 in New Jersey. He was elected Local 632 President in 1989 and served in that capacity until 2001. In addition, he was Administrator of their Health and Welfare Fund. In 1981, DiTolla also became a member of Studio Mechanics, Local 52. DiTolla is the son of the late Alfred DiTolla who served as International President from 1986 to 1994.
“Dan DiTolla is one of the strongest and most committed union organizers in labor today. As a Vice President, he will bring to the GEB a level of understanding and commitment that will only help us to remain strong and continue to grow,” International President Short stated.
The IATSE General Executive Board Meeting began on July 11, 2005 and concluded on July 15, 1005.