District 54 Officers & Staff:
Meet Our Leadership & Staff
T. Dean Wright, Jr.
President & Directing Business Representative
T. Dean Wright, Jr., began his career with the Machinists Union in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1983. He is a proud member of Local 1297 and has held a variety of elected offices in the IAM, including chief shop Steward, Sergeant-at-Arms, Local Vice President, Local President, and District Vice President. He is also the President Emeritus of the Ohio State Council of Machinists (OSCM). In addition, he has served as Vice President of the Labor & Employment Relations Association (LERA). In 1998, Dean was appointed to serve as an Organizer for District 54 in Cleveland, Ohio. Then, in 2004, he was appointed as a Business Representative, and later that year advanced to President & Directing Business Representative. In 2019, he was appointed to the IAM Law Committee, on which he served for two (2) conventions. Brother Wright is responsible for overseeing the District with regard to its eleven (11) affiliated locals, current and retired members (14,000+), staff and employees, district finances, and day-to-day operations in Ohio, West Virginia, and Northeastern Indiana.
Don Riffee, Jr.
Assistant Directing Business Representative
Don Riffee, Jr., began his career with the IAM in March of 1987, working in Woodhaven, Michigan. He is a proud member of Local 598 in South Charleston, West Virginia, and has held a variety of elected offices in the IAM, including Chief Shop Steward, Local 698 Conductor-Sentinel, Recording Secretary, and Secretary-Treasurer. Brother Riffee has also held the positions of District 60 President & Directing Business Representative and Vice President. Michigan State Council of Machinists, Trustee for the Motor City 698 Health Care and Pension Funds, and District 34. Directing Business Representative. In 2010, PDBR Wright appointed Riffee as Business Representative for District 54 in Cleveland, Ohio. In 2021, PDBR Wright appointed Brother Riffee as Assistant Directing Business Representative for District 54. In addition to his District 54 assignments, he currently holds the position of Delegate to the West Virginia AFL-CIO.
Jerry Espy
Business Representative
Jerry Espy started working at Pentair Water in Ashland, OH, in 1996. Being a proud member of Local 1297, Brother Espy has served the Machinists Union as a Steward and Local Secretary-Treasurer. In 2009, Jerry was appointed by PDBR Wright to the position of District 54 Secretary-Treasurer & Organizer. PDBR Wright appointed Brother Espy to serve as Business Representative in 2012.
Regina Wright
Business Representative
Regina Wright started working for District 54 in 2012. In January 2020, Sister Wright was appointed as a Business Representative and Organizer for District 54. She is a proud member of Local 1297 and serves as the chairperson of District 54’s Women’s and Human Rights Committee. Regina graduated magna cum laude from Xavier University with her Bachelor's degree and completed her Master of Public Policy at The George Washington University and her Master of Business Administration at Youngstown State University. Sister Wright is a fourth-generation union member.
Phil Johnson
Secretary-Treasurer
Phil Johnson started working at Pentair Water in Ashland, OH, in 1996. As a proud member of Local 1297, Brother Johnson has served the Machinists Union as a committee representative and Local Secretary-Treasurer. In 2023, Phil was appointed by PDBR Wright to the position of District 54 Secretary-Treasurer. He also proudly served our Armed Services as part of the 321st Missile Wing in the United States Air Force.
LaSalle Olsen
Business Representative
In 2026, Brother Olsen was appointed by PDBR Wright as a Business Representative and Organizer for District 54.
IAM District 54 Officers
President: T. Dean Wright, Jr.
Vice President: Fred Confer
Secretary-Treasurer: Phil Johnson
Conductor Sentinel: Jack Williams
Educator: Rose Hairston
Communicator: Denise Lindsey