Ron Kaempfe retiring from Local 520, exiting Southwestern Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council

Collinsville, IL– The Southwestern Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council will be getting a new president with the departure of Ron Kaempfe, who is also retiring as business manager of Operating Engineers Local 520.
Kaempfe was elected president in May when the previous president, Totsie Bailey, was elected executive financial secretary to replace Dale Stewart, who retired at that time.
Kaempfe announced he was stepping down at the November meeting of the Trades Council.
“At the end of this month, I’m going to retire as business manager,” he said. “I have agreed to help Totsie with the Christmas party, but this is my last meeting as president of the building trades.
“I can tell you all it’s been a pleasure to be associated with each and every one of you. Thank you all for giving me the opportunity to be here.”
Kaempfe served as vice president of the Trades Council for several years before becoming its president. Its vice president now is Eric Holler, business manager of Laborers Local 459.
Local 520, based in Granite City, was formed in 1933 and has about 1,800 members in 16 counties of southern Illinois, involved in construction, quarries, mechanic shops, municipalities and private businesses, according to its website. Kaempfe is its 18^th business manager.