WALTER LACHAPELLE
Secretary-Treasurer
Walter LaChapelle joined the Teamsters Union in 1988 and is a third generation Union member. He started his Teamster career working in various trades including warehousing, ship repair, and transportation in the film and video industry. He has always been passionate about being an advocate for workers.
Walter began professionally serving workers in 1994 when he was hired by Oregon OSHA as a safety and health Occupational Safety Specialist prior to being recruited as a Union representative in 2000. In 2002 he was hired as a Business Representative for Local 58, a position he held for nearly 19 years. In 2007 he began serving the members as an elected Local Union Officer as Trustee and since that period he has served the members in every position on the Executive Board for Teamsters 58.
In February of 2021 he was elected by the Executive Board to serve the membership in the top leadership position as your Secretary -Treasurer. Walter has also served as elected Delegate and Alternate Delegate to the Teamsters International Conventions.
Walter continues to serve as Trustee on the Oregon Teamsters Employers Trust and has served on that Board for over nineteen years. He also served as a Director for Joint Council No. 37 Teamsters Federal Credit Union for 14 years.
With over 25 years of experience and persistence in advocating for workers, Walter continues to deliver on his commitment and passion to fight, defend and improve upon the rights of each and every hard-working man and woman in our great Labor Movement. He is always sincere and fully dedicated to serve workers in his leadership capacity and sees such opportunities as an honor and privilege.
RAMONA GERSCH
President
Ramona is currently employed with Chartwells Dining Services in the Evergreen School District and a proud Teamster member since 2001.
Ramona moved to Vancouver Washington in 1979 after graduating high school in Minnesota. She is married with 3 children, and 1 granddaughter, and spends much of her free time crocheting, sewing and gardening.
Her involvement with the union began when fellow associates were experiencing unfair labor practices and assisted in successfully organizing with Teamsters Local 58. Shortly thereafter, she became a shop steward.
Ramona actively participated in many grievance issues and learned a great deal working alongside our then, business representative, Walter LaChapelle. She has also been a part of every contract negotiation with Chartwells.
In 2005, she accepted the position as trustee of the Executive Board and remained trustee until 2021 when Ramona accepted the position as president.
Over the years, Ramona has gained confidence in representing her fellow associates when issues arise and looks forward to continued service and dedication to our members of Teamsters Local 58.
JUSTIN BAPTISTA
Recording Secretary
Justin Baptista joined the Teamsters Union in 2009 and is a third generation Union member. He started his Teamster career working in the Beverage industry as an Order Selector and moved to Shipping and receiving and back up supervisor. In 2011 he was nominated by members as Shop Steward and carried that title until his departure to join Teamsters 58 as a Union business agent. Justin has been on the Local 58 Executive Board since 2018 as a Trustee and is currently holding the position of Recording Secretary.
With over 12 years of being a Teamster, Justin is passionate about protecting, and representing Teamster members and making sure they are treated fairly and advocating for all members of this great Teamster Organization.
MEGAN DEMOSS
Vice President
Megan DeMoss is Communications Coordinator for the City of Ridgefield, Washington. DeMoss has served as a Steward at the City of Ridgefield since February 2021 and as Trustee on the Teamsters 58 Executive Board since July 2021. She has been a Teamster since April 2019. DeMoss has a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Minor in Political Science and enjoys playing disc golf and hiking with her dogs in her free time.