Don Keefe
Encyclopedia
Don Keefe is an American labor leader
who serves as the President of District No. 1-PCD, Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association
, (AFL-CIO) (M.E.B.A.). Founded in 1875, M.E.B.A. is the oldest and largest maritime officers’ union in the United States. (
Elected in 2007, he represents a membership of over four thousand U.S. merchant mariners as well as industrial, service, government and other professional workers. In March 2008, Don was elected as the National M.E.B.A. President at the Union’s tri-annual Convention.
Don has spent his entire adult life with the M.E.B.A. and is one of the few M.E.B.A. Presidents to ascend to the office after working himself up through the ranks. For nearly three decades, Don has sailed the deep sea and walked the docks alongside his M.E.B.A. brothers and sisters in unity and friendship.
His career at sea began at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy
from where he graduated in 1978 with a Bachelors of Science
in Marine Engineering. Upon graduation, Don joined the M.E.B.A. ranks committing himself to the mission and the vision of the Union. Don’s commitment to maritime is also evidenced in his attainment of a U.S. Coast Guard
Chief Engineers’ Unlimited License (steam/diesel/gas turbine).
Don began full-time service to the membership of the M.E.B.A. in 1996 when he became the Representative in the Port of New York
. In 1999 Don was appointed as the M.E.B.A. Representative in the Port of Boston
and during this time also served as a delegate to the Greater Boston
Labor Council and the Massachusetts State AFL-CIO
.
In 2002 he was elected Atlantic Coast
Vice President and was reelected to that post in 2005. Based in Jersey City, Don also served as a delegate to the New York Central Labor Council, the New York State
AFL-CIO, and the New Jersey State AFL-CIO.
As M.E.B.A. President, Don is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the M.E.B.A. Benefit Plans and is also the Chairman of the Board
of the American Maritime Congress. Additionally he has served as Director of First American Bulk Carrier
Corp., as a delegate to the Seaman’s Church Institute and on the board of the Maritime Trades Department (AFL-CIO) in New York.
Don is a native of Newton, Massachusetts
where he maintains his house with his wife Sandy. They have three children and two grandchildren.
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
who serves as the President of District No. 1-PCD, Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association
Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association
The Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association is the oldest maritime trade union in the United States still currently in existence, established in 1875. M.E.B.A. primarily represents licensed mariners, especially deck and engine officers working in the United States Merchant Marine aboard...
, (AFL-CIO) (M.E.B.A.). Founded in 1875, M.E.B.A. is the oldest and largest maritime officers’ union in the United States. (
Elected in 2007, he represents a membership of over four thousand U.S. merchant mariners as well as industrial, service, government and other professional workers. In March 2008, Don was elected as the National M.E.B.A. President at the Union’s tri-annual Convention.
Don has spent his entire adult life with the M.E.B.A. and is one of the few M.E.B.A. Presidents to ascend to the office after working himself up through the ranks. For nearly three decades, Don has sailed the deep sea and walked the docks alongside his M.E.B.A. brothers and sisters in unity and friendship.
His career at sea began at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a regionally accredited, coeducational, state college offering undergraduate degrees in maritime-related fields, as well as graduate degrees and professional studies. Established in 1891, Mass Maritime is the second oldest state maritime academy in the country...
from where he graduated in 1978 with a Bachelors of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in Marine Engineering. Upon graduation, Don joined the M.E.B.A. ranks committing himself to the mission and the vision of the Union. Don’s commitment to maritime is also evidenced in his attainment of a U.S. Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
Chief Engineers’ Unlimited License (steam/diesel/gas turbine).
Don began full-time service to the membership of the M.E.B.A. in 1996 when he became the Representative in the Port of New York
Port of New York and New Jersey
The Port of New York and New Jersey comprises the waterways in the estuary of the New York-Newark metropolitan area with a port district encompassing an approximate area within a radius of the Statue of Liberty National Monument...
. In 1999 Don was appointed as the M.E.B.A. Representative in the Port of Boston
Port of Boston
The Port of Boston, , is a major seaport located in Boston Harbor and adjacent to the City of Boston...
and during this time also served as a delegate to the Greater Boston
Greater Boston
Greater Boston is the area of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts surrounding the city of Boston. Due to ambiguity in usage, the size of the area referred to can be anywhere between that of the metropolitan statistical area of Boston and that of the city's combined statistical area which includes...
Labor Council and the Massachusetts State AFL-CIO
AFL-CIO
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, commonly AFL–CIO, is a national trade union center, the largest federation of unions in the United States, made up of 56 national and international unions, together representing more than 11 million workers...
.
In 2002 he was elected Atlantic Coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
Vice President and was reelected to that post in 2005. Based in Jersey City, Don also served as a delegate to the New York Central Labor Council, the New York State
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
AFL-CIO, and the New Jersey State AFL-CIO.
As M.E.B.A. President, Don is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the M.E.B.A. Benefit Plans and is also the Chairman of the Board
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
of the American Maritime Congress. Additionally he has served as Director of First American Bulk Carrier
Bulk carrier
A bulk carrier, bulk freighter, or bulker is a merchant ship specially designed to transport unpackaged bulk cargo, such as grains, coal, ore, and cement in its cargo holds. Since the first specialized bulk carrier was built in 1852, economic forces have fueled the development of these ships,...
Corp., as a delegate to the Seaman’s Church Institute and on the board of the Maritime Trades Department (AFL-CIO) in New York.
Don is a native of Newton, Massachusetts
Newton, Massachusetts
Newton is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States bordered to the east by Boston. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Newton was 85,146, making it the eleventh largest city in the state.-Villages:...
where he maintains his house with his wife Sandy. They have three children and two grandchildren.