Statement of the Grand Marshal

I am deeply honored to have been chosen as the Grand Marshal of the 2012 St. Patrick’s Day parade.  I have fond memories of attending this wonderful event each year as a child with my family.  My sisters were Irish Step dancers and were participants in the parade with their dancing school.  When my daughter Emily starting step dancing, I took great pride in seeing her participate in the parade with the Kennelly School.  My Local Union has been involved with the parade for a number a years.  Each year our committee builds a float, decorates a cable car and encourages our members to come out and support the parade. This event allows the building trades to demonstrate our commitment to the City and society as a whole.  We promote our apprenticeship programs while celebrating the many contributions we, along with the Irish community, have made to the betterment of San Francisco.

I was born and reared in San Francisco’s Noe Valley, the son of Frank and Mary O’Rourke.  I am the middle child of seven.  I attended St. Paul’s Grammar School and Riordan High School.  I met my wife Elaine while attending Irish Youth Club meetings at the U.I.C.C.  We have been married 32 years and have two children, Emily, who is married to Greg Russie, and Rory.  They are all electricians with IBEW Local 6.

I became a journeyman Inside Wireman in 1983.  I enjoyed working at my trade and found the work to be very rewarding.  I am currently serving my fifth term as the Business Manager – Financial Secretary of Local Union 6.  I am the Chairman of the San Francisco Electrical Industry Joint Apprenticeship Committee, Chairman of the Northern California Electrical Workers Pension Plan, President of the Northern Joint Conference of Electrical Workers and President of the Bay Area Catholic Labor Coalition.  I continue to serve as Vice-President of the San Francisco Building and Construction Trades Council.  There are 2550 members of Local 6 who work under 17 separate bargaining agreements for both private and public employers.  I consider it an honor to represent these members of Local 6, and take great pride in our Local Union’s ability to elevate the standards for electrical workers in San Francisco.  Currently, I am a member of the Contractors State Licensing Board and I serve on the Board of Directors of the Water Emergency Transportation Authority.

My interests include music, reading, riding my motorcycle, hiking, and spending time at the gym.  My favorite activity is spending quality time with my family and friends.