Christopher Brooks

Executive Board

Brothers and Sisters,

In the summer of 1994, I graduated from Gwynn Park High School with no clear direction—only a strong work ethic and the values instilled in me by my father, a proud Teamsters truck driver. Born and raised in Brandywine, Maryland, I knew early on the value of union membership, even if I hadn’t yet found my own path.

After working several jobs with limited prospects, I found myself in the construction industry, laboring for a small general contractor. That’s where I first encountered IBEW Local 26—thanks to a small electrical contractor on the job who kept encouraging me to consider the trade. At 22, I decided to make the leap. I applied to the apprenticeship program in 1998 but wasn’t accepted. Instead of giving up, I quit my job, took a $5 per hour pay cut, and went to work for a Local 26 contractor. I reapplied the following year, was accepted, and joined the first full-time day school class at Kansas Avenue.

I completed the program in 2004 and began working as a journeyman for several contractors across the region. With a strong desire to lead and grow, I eventually stepped into the role of foreman, where I continued developing both my skills and my sense of responsibility to others in the trade.

In 2019, I was honored to join the staff of Local 26 as a Business Agent. That opportunity gave me a broader view of our industry and a deeper understanding of how we support and protect our members. In June 2022, 

I was elected to the Executive Board, where I’ve continued to advocate for our members and represent the values that brought me into the trade.

I respectfully ask for your vote to continue serving on the Executive Board, and to keep building a union that creates opportunity, security, and solidarity for the next generation.

Fraternally,
Chris Brooks