Congratulations to our

​2024 Labor-Management Award
​
recipients!

​KLMC 2024 Labor Award Winner
​
Mr. William Finn

Bill is a proud 40-year member of IBEW Local 369. He began his career in 1984 where he served a 4-year electrical apprenticeship. He worked as a Journeyman Wireman, Foreman and General Foreman on various construction projects in Kentucky.

In 1995, Bill was appointed as an Organizer for IBEW Local 369. He traveled throughout the jurisdiction recruiting electricians and apprentices into the Local Union. He fought for non-union electricians who had no representation by conducting Prevailing Wage Compliance, filing ULP’s and scrutinizing bids on public works projects to level the playing field.

Bill worked as an Organizer for the International Office for two years. He is a graduate of Leadership Louisville and was appointed and served two terms on Kentucky’s Workers’ Compensation Nominating Commission and the Workers’ Compensation Funding Commission.

In 2007, Bill was elected Business Manager for IBEW Local 369 and served two terms. He served as a Trustee on the Benefit Fund and Retirement Fund and on the Apprenticeship and Labor-Management Committee.

In 2013, Bill was appointed as State Director of the Kentucky State Building and Construction Trades Council. During his 8 years as Director, Bill fought unremittingly in Frankfort and across the state against endless attacks on working families. Bad legislation including the repeal of prevailing wage, right-to-work and unemployment insurance roll backs, meant he was continuously rallying the skilled trades to push back. In 2019, following years of an unrelenting assault on working people, he was thrilled to help elect Governor Andy Beshear and turn the tide for the benefit of Kentucky’s working families.​

Bill retired in 2021 and lives in Louisville with his wife Kris. He is a proud father to their sons Alex and Jack.

​KLMC 2024 Management Award Winner
​
Mr. Mike Ford

Michael Ford currently serves as the COO for Valiant Management & Holdings, a role he has held since 2016. Mr. Ford began his career in the finished vehicle distribution industry, as a supervisor, at the Kentucky Truck Plant in 1995, where he served in various positions of increasing responsibility, including facility manager.

In 1997, Mr. Ford had the opportunity to be a part of the team that operated the largest vehicle distribution center in the Unites States, in Shelbyville Kentucky. In 1999 was promoted to a regional manager level with responsibilities including operations, customer service, and labor relations.

In 2005, Mr. Ford accepted the position as Director of Operations with Valiant Management & Holdings LLC and was quickly promoted to Senior Vice president, followed by his current position.​

Mr. Ford met his wife of 32 years while they were attending Western Kentucky University and this summer, they will become empty nesters when their only child Grace Morgan Ford leaves home to attend The Savannah College of Art and Design.

​KLMC 2024 Special Award Winner
​
Dr. Rob Fulk

Dr. Rob Fulk is the Chief Operating Officer for Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS). He also serves as affiliate faculty for the University of Louisville where he teaches principal preparation courses with an emphasis on school law and labor relations practices for school leadership. In his current capacity he is responsible for the following divisions of JCPS: food and nutrition services, general maintenance and renovation, safety & environmental, facility planning, facility management, vehicle maintenance, Geographic Information Systems, and Transportation. In this capacity he works with several collective bargaining units: AFSCME, SEIU, and predominantly Teamster Local Union 783; of roughly 3,800 employees. Dr. Fulk served on the negotiations committee for the 2024-2029 Teamsters Local Union 783 contract. He believes it is of the utmost importance that to effectively support schools, workers for JCPS need fair wages, a safe work environment, and clarity in their roles. Most recently JCPS Operations services conducted a full overhaul of the transportation division after a difficult 2023-2024 school year. As part of this overhaul, emphasis was placed on continuous feedback from bargaining unit bus drivers. As a result of this feedback several systemic changes accorded to the JCPS transportation operation, including an emphasis on geographic regions, shorter routes, and improving work/life balance for school bus drivers. Additionally, he has implemented several standing meetings to alleviate concerns before they become larger than necessary; standing union steward roundtable, and standing meetings with union leadership to discuss issues. He believes that regular employee feedback is a key to organizational effectiveness. Previous to his current role Dr. Fulk served as an assistant superintendent of middle schools, and was the principal of three high schools and one middle school. In these roles he worked with the collective bargaining units of the Teamsters Local 783, Jefferson County Teachers Association, SEIU, and AFSCME

​KLMC 2024 Special Award Winner
​
Mr. Timothy Donoghue

Timothy was born in 1951 in Northern Kentucky. He is one of eight children and graduated from St Henry High School in 1969 and United Electric Institute in 1971. He has been married for 50 years and has 2 children, 5 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild.

Tim started his career at Cincinnati Bell in 1971. By 1978, he became a steward of CWA 4400. Two years later,he was promoted to chief steward. By 1987, Tim was elected Area Vice President and also served as chairman of the Safety Committee.

In 1990,he was elected Secretary-Treasurer of the local. Throughout his career,as a elected union official, Tim has served in various capacities. He has served on the committee to bring the "Right to Know" a law in Ohio, served on the board of United Way, and also served on the board of the Transit Board of Northern Kentucky.

By 1999, Tim was elected president of Local 4400 and served in that capacity until his retirement in 2008.

Other organizations that he was involved in include Northern Ky Labor Council( starting in 1984). His roles included delegate, recording secretary, and is currently serving as president.​

He presently serves on the Ky State AFL-CIO Executive Board as a delegate and as the chairman of the Trustee Committee.