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USW International President Leo W. Gerard appointed Bill Gibbons to the SOAR Executive Board as the PACE Division Representative.  He recently retired from the Union as Co-Director of District 7.  Prior to the merger in 2005, Bill served as Vice-President and Regional Director of the Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International Union (PACE) Region Nine (covering the states of Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.)

Bill began his union career in 1961 when he went to work at International Paper in Chicago, Illinois.  He served as Steward and later as President of Local 6-1210 of the United Papermakers and Paperworkers Union . He was active in volunteer organizing and enrolled in labor Education Courses and is a graduate of Roosevelt University's Labor Education program.

In 1966, Bill was appointed International Representative.  He represented Local Unions in northern Illinois.  As a servicing staff, he participated in a number of successful organizing campaigns and handled numerous special assignments throughout the union.

Gibbons served as a trustee to the International Union’s Employee Pension Fund and as an officer and President of the Representatives and Organizers Union (ROU) for over 20 years. He is a member of SOAR Chapter 30-18.

Bill and his wife Janice, who has supported him throughout his 40 year Union career, enjoy spending time with their family. They have 3 daughters and 7 grandchildren.