Portland-headquartered International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 48 swore in a new business manager July 25.

Clif Davis, 50, took the oath of office after finishing first in a field of seven candidates when mail ballots were counted June 25. Incumbent business manager Barry Mitchell came in second. Business manager is the 3,800-member local’s top elected position and has a term of three years.

Davis said his top priorities will be to establish a harmonious relationship with employers, set a tone for friendlier union meetings, and increase union market share in residential construction. “We have a lot in common with our employers — we both want to grow,” Davis said. “We need to put aside our differences and find a way to do that.”

A Portland native and 1974 graduate of Benson High School, Davis got his start in the labor movement as a Fred Meyer cashier and member of Grocery Clerks Local 1092. After six years as a cashier, and six as a Fred Meyer manager, he worked three years at Frito-Lay as a member of the Teamsters Union.

Davis became an IBEW apprentice in 1988 and later attended Portland Community College, earning an associates degree in applied science in 1993 — the same day he became a journeyman electrician. He worked as a general foreman, but also started teaching as soon as he graduated, at PCC and at the NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center (NIETC).

Davis was highly regarded as an instructor, said NIETC Director Ken Fry, earning praise for listening skills, managerial ability and intelligence. Davis had the chance to go full-time as an instructor, but wanted to help build the local instead.

In 1996, he came on as a union organizer for Local 48 — visiting job sites and recruiting licensed electricians who were working for the non-union competition. Five years later, he switched to the job of business representative, negotiating for some of Local 48’s non-construction contracts, including local radio and television stations and schools.

As business manager, Davis said he will retain all office support staff, plus attorney Norm Malbin, dispatcher Frank Crane, and business representatives Lee Duncan, Steve Vidito and Bob Carroll. Former Local 48 rep Joe Esmonde was rehired as political liaison and political action committee (PAC) chair, and will serve as the local’s representative to the Oregon Energy Trust. New hires include Tim Foster as assistant business manager; Nancy Cary and Dave Johnston as business representatives; Larry Warren as lead organizer; and Terry “Tater” Riegle as organizer.