OUR TEAM
Richard Hooker Jr.
Richard Hooker Jr has been a Teamster for 26 years. He spent 20 of those years at UPS and the last 6 years in office.
He is running for General President of the Teamsters Union.
Brother Richard is the secretary treasurer and principal officer of Teamsters local 623 in Philadelphia. He made history in 2019 by becoming the first African American to lead the local. He has doubled his locals' contracts and created spaces for his members to get more involved. In October of 2025 he made history yet again. For the first time in history of Teamsters local 623, the incumbent leadership ran unopposed earlier this fall. A true testament to his leadership and transformative vison for his local. Now he is looking to transform the international union. Brother Hooker is a fierce fighter for the working class and a well-respected leader in the broader labor community in Philadelphia and surrounding area.
MORE POWER, NO FEAR
#BEFEARLESS
Marianna m battiste
Marianna Battiste brings 37 years of experience in Teamsters leadership, including her time with UFCW Local 8, to her candidacy. For the past 20 years, she has been a vital part of the University of California Davis Health Center, where she has dedicated 15 years as a Teamster. Currently serving as an administrative assistant in the department of radiology, she covers neurology, pediatrics, interventional, and ER. Running for International Trustee on the Fearless slate, Marianna believes that fostering union democracy and worker empowerment is crucial for a unified and courageous union that can effectively advocate for its members.
Jeffrey Schenfeld
Jeffrey Schenfeld is running as an International Trustee on the FEARLESS SLATE, emphasizing his commitment to Teamsters leadership. His journey with the Teamsters began in 1996 at UPS in Uniondale, NY, where he started as a part-timer and later became a full-time package car driver. After relocating to Texas in 2006 and briefly working as a TCD, Schenfeld returned to full-time package car driving in 2012 as a proud Dallas Hub Texas Teamster. Since then, he has served Local 767 members as a Union Steward and Business Agent, consistently demonstrating his dedication to union democracy and standing by them. Schenfeld believes that helping, empowering, and serving the membership is his purpose, striving to deliver a union that truly has its members' backs and fosters worker empowerment.
John Palmer
John Palmer is running as a candidate for Vice President at-Large on the FEARLESS SLATE. With 38 years of experience in the Teamsters, Palmer's distinguished career is marked by extensive service and a commitment to union democracy. After serving as a medic in the U.S. Army, he became a City P&D Driver for Red Arrow Freight Lines and ABF. Within the Teamsters leadership, Palmer has held significant roles, including Business Agent for Local Union 657, International Organizer, and Southern Region Vice President. Currently serving as a Vice President at Large, his dedication to worker empowerment and leadership within the Brotherhood is evident as he runs for International Vice President.
CHristophe Silvera
F. Christophe Silvera serves as the Secretary-Treasurer and Principal Officer of Teamsters Local 808 in Long Island City, New York, a role he has held since January 1990, making him the longest-serving principal officer in the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. He is running as a candidate for Vice President at-Large on the FEARLESS SLATE, promoting union democracy and worker empowerment. Silvera began his career in 1982 by organizing Conrail co-workers to join the Teamsters. Under his leadership, Local 808 has become a beacon of labor activism and militancy, representing diverse workers. He is recognized for securing significant contract improvements and for negotiating a groundbreaking 'shutdown agreement' with Swingline. In 1999, he made history as the first elected chairman of the Teamsters National Black Caucus and played a crucial role in persuading President Bush to rescind an Executive Order impacting post-Katrina rebuilding.
Jeffrey Vaughan
Jeffrey Vaughan serves as Secretary-Treasurer, Business Agent, and Principal Officer of Teamsters Local No. 29 in Verona, VA. He is running as a candidate for Vice President at-Large on the FEARLESS SLATE. With 33 years at UPS, his experience spans roles from Preloader to Full-Time Package Car Driver in Charlottesville, VA, where he has also dedicated over 25 years as a Shop Steward. As he campaigns for Vice President at Large, Vaughan is committed to promoting union democracy and advocating for every Teamster's rights. His vision includes ensuring company accountability, restoring union unity, and enhancing wages, pensions, and healthcare benefits to support worker empowerment among members.
Michael Moxley
Michael Moxley is the President of Teamsters Local 29 in Virginia and a candidate for Vice President At-Large. He ran for office at Local 29 because he was tired of witnessing the neglect of members' voices, unresolved grievances, and the lack of action against UPS management. Since taking office, Moxley has focused on restoring transparency, holding management accountable, and ensuring that every member has a voice, embodying the principles of union democracy and worker empowerment. Now, he is bringing that same fight to the national level, challenging the current Teamsters leadership within the International Brotherhood of Teamsters to promote real accountability and member-driven leadership.
Evette Avery
Evette Avery has been a dedicated Teamster at UPS for 19 years, serving as a Union Steward for 17 of those years. She is now running for International Trustee on the FEARLESS SLATE, aiming to strengthen Teamsters leadership and promote union democracy. As a true unionist, she has stood in solidarity on picket lines with Teamster members from Republic Waste (Local 728) and UPS Aircraft Maintenance (Local 2727), as well as workers from AT&T (CWA), the Fight for $15 Campaign (Atlanta Jobs With Justice), Delta Workers Unite (IAM), TSA Workers Action (AFGE), Uber/Lyft Drivers (Rideshare Drivers United), UAW, and Amazon. Avery’s commitment to worker empowerment runs deep; she once faced termination from a former employer for her efforts to organize workers, an experience that sparked the #StandWithEvette Campaign. Her passion lies in empowering members to fight, not only through the grievance process but also by navigating agencies like the NLRB and EEOC, leading to numerous victories for her fellow workers.
Leonard stoehr
Leonard Stoehr is a 31-year Teamster and proud member of Teamsters Local No. 728 in Atlanta, Georgia. He is running as a candidate for Southern Region VP on the FEARLESS SLATE, emphasizing the importance of union democracy and worker empowerment. With 31 years of experience in Teamsters leadership, his background includes 11 years as a union representative at Teamsters Local 206 in Oregon, as well as serving as an IBT Western Representative for Passenger Transportation. Stoehr is committed to supporting Richard Hooker and the entire Fearless Slate in their mission to strengthen the union and advocate for its members.
Eric johnson
Eric Johnson has been a Teamster since 1984. My journey in Teamsters leadership began during summers and winter breaks on the docks of Jersey, where I worked for companies like CF, ABF, Yellow, and New Penn. In 1993, I secured a full-time position with ABF. My career path took me west to Montana in 1995, where I found my permanent home with UPS as a full-time Feeder Driver on December 26, 1995.
For over a decade, I have served as a Shop Steward, advocating for union democracy and fighting for our rights. My involvement with Local 190 has tackled major issues such as changes of operations and the critical fight against the use of cameras. Moreover, my commitment extends beyond the workplace, as I've helped organize blood drives and raised money for our local food bank—because a strong union is built on worker empowerment and a strong community.
Now, as a candidate on the Fearless Slate for Western Vice President, I am ready to elevate my fight for our rights to the next level. I pledge to bring the same hard work, dedication, and passion that has defined my career to the leadership of this union. I will be your voice, fighting tirelessly to ensure our rights are protected and our future is secure.
I ask for your vote so that I can continue to serve you, the rank and file, with the integrity and resolve you deserve.
In solidarity,
Eric G. Johnson
Candidate for Western Region Vice President