Hadel succeeds Robinson as Roofers International President

Kinsey M. Robinson retired as International President of the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers

James A. Hadel has been named International President of the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers.

He assumed the position when his predecessor Kinsey M. Robinson retired Jan. 8. 

Robinson was elected International President on April 1, 2006.  He completed Local 189’s apprenticeship program in 1968 and started his roofing career in Spokane, Wash. He was elected to the Local’s Executive Board a year later, and elected Recording-Secretary in 1972.
Robinson was elected Business Manager in 1974, a position he continued until he was appointed to an International Representative in 1982.

In 1985, Robinson was unanimously elected International Secretary-Treasurer and then re-elected four times consecutively.

As International President, he focused on organizing, market development and labor/management relations. In announcing his retirement, Robinson said he was excited to pass the torch. 

“After 55 years of membership and being afforded the unique privilege of serving in the capacity of a general officer for 37 years, it is now time to turn the reins of power over to a younger generation of leaders,” said Robinson, in a prepared statement. “Change is positive and necessary in order for new ideas and strategies to emerge so that our union may continue to grow and prosper.”

James A. Hadel is the new International President of the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers.

Hadel was elected International Vice President in 1998 and then International Secretary-Treasurer in 2018. A member of Local 20, Kansas City, Kan. since 1977, Hadel started his union leadership career as a steward. He then served a two-year term as trustee and Executive Board member from 1986 until 1988, when he was elected business agent. Three years later he was elected business manager. 

Hadel was elected an International Vice President in 1998 and assumed the position of International Director of Organizing in 2004.

Mitch Terhaar was named International Secretary-Treasurer of the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers.

Mitch Terhaar, Assistant to the International President, will fill Hadel’s vacated position as International Secretary-Treasurer.

Terhaar began his roofing career as an apprentice with his father’s roofing company in 1978. He joined Local 6, which merged with Local 11 Chicago in the 1980s.  He was named Local 11 organizer in 1993. Twelve years later, Terhaar became a business representative and apprenticeship trustee for the Local.

In 2015, he was appointed International Representative. He became Assistant to the International President in 2018, where he worked as Director of Jurisdiction and Special Agreements.

The United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers represents roughly 25,000 members working throughout the U.S. in the industrial and commercial sectors.