Prior to joining the Union Staff, President Gene Pronovost was a grocery clerk at Ernie's Thriftway which was located in Beaverton. He had previously worked at P&X Thriftway, and Albertsons.

In 1976, Gene was elected by the membership as a Union Representative. In fact, Gene is the only member of the current Union staff who started his professional union career as an elected union representative, a fact that he is very proud of. 

Gene has served the Union in many capacities - Union Representative, Grievance Director, Director of Membership Services, Executive Assistant to The Union President, and in 1996 was elected Union President by the largest margin of victory in Union history. In 2005, Gene was re-elected to his 4th term.

Gene holds, or has held, various leadership positions including: 

* UFCW International Vice-President
* Portland Provision Trades Council - President
* NW Oregon Labor Council - Executive Board
* Oregon AFL-CIO - Vice President and Executive Board
* NW Oregon Labor Press - Chairman and Board of Directors
* Labor's Community Services Agency - Board of Directors
* Labor Education and Research Center (LERC) - Advisory Committee
* Oregon Wage and Hour Commission - Chairperson
* Oregon AFL-CIO - Finance Committee
* UFCW District Council 17 - Executive Board
* UFCW Cascade Fund - Executive Committee
* UFCW International - President's Advisory Committee
* UFCW Local 555 - Executive Board
* Oregon Employment Advisory Council

Gene has served as a Union Trustee on various Taft-Hartley Benefit Funds, and as Union President is responsible for all Local trust funds: 

* Oregon Retail Employees Pension
* Portland Area Employers - 555 Health Trust
* Joint Labor Management Health Trust 

President Pronovost is a well respected labor leader and has received numerous awards for his dedication and service to the labor movement.

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