Local 15 serves primarily the Milwaukee and Green Bay areas along with most of the southeastern area of Wisconsin and currently has around 230 members. Local 15 was first organized August 6th, 1903. Local 15 (Milwaukee) merged with IUEC Local 104 (Green Bay) in 1987 to create the Local as it stands today.
Local 15, and the IUEC as a whole, represents those workers who work in the elevator trade. While we are classified as “constructors” this category includes people who install new elevators, those who service and maintain elevators, those who repair and fix elevators, those who modernize and update older existing equipment.
Membership and Leadership History:
The oldest application for membership on file is from Brother George Molkentin, dated November 18, 1912. Local 15 has had some longstanding committed leaders throughout our history including the following members elected to the position of Business Representative:
- Brother James Elliott was business representative from 1956 until 1974 at which time he became the president of the Milwaukee Building & Construction Trades Council.
- Brother Roger McKenna served as business representative from 1974 until 1976.
- Brother George Graczyk was business representative from 1976 until his retirement in 1981. During his terms, Brother Graczyk served on the State of Wisconsin DILHR Elevator Committee and the Electrical License and Examining Board.
- Brother Richard Young was business representative from 1981 through December of 1990. Brother Young continued his IUEC career with NEIEP as assistant director.
- Brother Russell Moldenhauer served as business representative from 1991 until 1993 and also worked as a NEIEP instructor prior to and during his term.
- Brother Michael Collier served as business representative from 1994 until 1996, and was a delegate to the Milwaukee Building Trades and Milwaukee County Labor Council.
- Brother Kelvin Nord served as business representative/financial secretary of the Local from 1997 until his retirement in 2021. Brother Nord was the longest serving business representative of any local in the IUEC at the time of his retirement. During his tenure at Local 15, Brother Nord worked as a NEIEP instructor as well as a member of the Conveyance Safety Code Council for the State of Wisconsin. During his time as business representative, Brother Nord represented the members through many important changes, including transitioning to an apprenticeship program and the State of Wisconsin implementing elevator licensing.
- Brother Allen Kelsey is the current serving business representative for Local 15, for which he is in his second term.
Current Hall Location and Contact Information
IUEC Local 15
17125 W. Cleveland Ave.
New Berlin, WI 53151
Phone: 262-786-9982
