Mark Grasseschi 708-269-1543 markg@mech701.org
Directing Business Representative – Mark Grasseschi
Mark has been a member of Local 701 since 1987. He worked in the Automotive industry throughout his career and served as a shop Steward at Phillips Chevrolet. While serving as shop steward he was also appointed to the Board as a Trustee in 2014. In July 2015 Mark was then appointed as a Business Representative where he services various specialty shops including automotive dealerships, bakery, trucking, machine shops, MARBA, Villages and the forklift industry. Mark also is the editor for the Local 701 Newsletter, assists in the local’s Website, Facebook page and was appointed in 2019 to be a Trustee on the Will/Grundy County Trades Association Board. Mark was also part of the extended bargaining committee for the 2013 SAA CBA. Mark serves as a Trustee on the Local 701 Health and Welfare and Pension Funds. He also serves as a Trustee on the Local 701 401(k) Defined Contribution Plan. SEE MORE
Assistant Directing Business Representative – Ryan Haehnlein
Ryan has been a member of Local 701 since 2011 in the heavy-duty industry. During that time, he was employed at M&K Truck Centers. He served as shop steward for 3 years in that period and helped win multiple labor grievances and disputes. Ryan is the editor for the 701 newsletter and has volunteered for several Local 701 functions and committees. Ryan is a delegate to the Illinois State Council of Machinists, and a delegate to the Chicago Federation of Labor. He was appointed to the position of Organizer in May of 2021 and appointed to Business Representative in December of 2021.
Ryan Haehnlein 708-738-1620
Walter Emerson 815-219-0438 wemerson@mech701.org
Business Representative/Automotive Coordinator – Walter Emerson
Walter has been a member of Local 701 since 2000. He worked at Downers Grove Imports (Pugi) in 2000, when they organized and became a part of Local 701. He later served as a shop steward with that company starting in 2013. He was elected to the Local’s Executive Board as a Trustee in 2015 where he served until he was appointed to the position Business Representative/Organizer in November of 2017. Wally also serves as the 701 Communicator and maintains the Website, Twitter and Instagram accounts. Wally services the automotive, special equipment, ready mix and trucking industries.
Business Representative – Ronnie Gonzalez
Ronnie Gonzalez has been a member of Local 701 since 1994. He spent the first 25 years in the Automotive Industry working at Mt. Prospect Cadillac, Williams Cadillac and worked 19 years at Cadillac of Naperville. During the 2017 Standard Automotive Agreement Strike, Ronnie served as Strike Captain in one of our more turbulent picket lines in recent history. After being recalled following a contract ratification, Ronnie served as Shop Steward and was instrumental in winning multiple labor grievances, arbitrations and NLRB charges that all stemmed from employer retaliations related to the Strike. Ronnie has spent the last year and a half at Equipment Depot as a Field Service Technician in the Forklift Industry, before being appointed to serve as Business Representative for Local 701.
Ronnie Gonzalez 708-728-5708
rgonzalez@mech701.org
Business Representative-Chris Becktel
Chris is a 12-year member of Local 701 who worked throughout his career in the car industry. Before his move to the Organizing Department at Local 701 he worked at Toyota of Naperville. Chris has worked on many organizing drives over the years. During the 2017 Standard Automotive negotiations, Chris was on the extended Bargaining Committee. He’s also been involved in the Local 701 Community Outreach Committee. Chris has attended classes at the Winpisinger Center in Maryland. These include Organizing Prep, Organizing 1, Leadership 1, Political Training and Education, Negotiation Prep.
Chris Becktel 708-542-0852
Business Representative – Mike Burtner Jr.
Mike has been a member of Local 701 since 1996. He has worked in the Diesel Industry throughout his career and most recently served as shop Steward for First Student for 8 years. During that time, Mike participated in multiple successful contract negotiations with the Company. Mike is a 2nd generation local 701 member with his father and uncle both retired members. In 2022 Mike was appointed to the position of Business Representative/Organizer.
Mike Burtner Jr. 708-240-1388
Business Representative-Carl Cassata
Carl has been a member of Local 701 since 1995. He has previously worked at various dealerships since 1990. In 2015 he joined Elgin Toyota and has been a shop Steward since 2021. Carl also was on the 2021 SAA negotiations committee. In 2022 Carl was appointed to the position of Organizer. In June of 2022 Carl was appointed to the position of Business Representative.
Carl Cassata 708-334-2372
Business Representative-Joe Scheer
Joe Scheer has been a member of Local 701 since 2001. During this time, he has worked in the commercial trucking repair industry at Rendels in Joliet where he served as the shop steward and shop foreman. During his time at there, he was instrumental in leading several successful contract negotiations, and enforcing the terms of the contract. He has volunteered on the Organizing and Political committees and has attended classes at the Winpisinger Center in Maryland. Joe was appointed to the position of Business Representative in January of 2023.
Joe Scheer 815-685-9423
Business Representative – Chad Gallois
Chad Gallois has been a member of Local 701 since 2000. He has worked in the automotive industry throughout his career, and during the last six years he has served as the shop steward at Lexus of Naperville. The past several years he has served as an Election Official, Strike Captain in both 2017 and 2021, a member of the 2021 SAA Negotiation Committee, supported multiple strikes lines, attended classes at the Winpisinger Center in Maryland, and attended various Political and Organizing meetings. Chad was appointed to the position of Business Representative in March of 2023.
Chad Gallois 708-846-0880