SMACNA lauds former Portland area Oregon Congresswoman, a champion of registered apprenticeships and quality driven, high road contractors, for her bipartisan and balanced job creating policies and legislation.

SMACNA is urging its members and chapters to contact their United States Senators in support of the nomination of Lori Chavez-DeRemer to serve as our nation’s 30th Secretary of Labor.
We are strongly encouraging SMACNA contractors to take action on the nomination by clicking here to send a message to your Senator(s) urging them to confirm Chavez-DeRomer. (Please login using the email you use for SMACNA business.) If you encounter any difficulty, please email Belen Pifel.
In her role as a Member of Congress, Rep. Chavez-DeRemer effectively served her congressional district with a fair and balanced approach to governing, earning widespread and bipartisan support for her job creating initiatives, ideas and legislation. Prior to joining Congress, Chavez-DeRemer served as the mayor of Happy Valley, Oregon. As mayor, she championed local development and industry-supported programs to expand the Portland area skilled construction workforce. At every level of government she has served, Chavez-DeRemer has strived to connect hopeful, career-oriented workers with construction trades affiliated registered apprenticeships leading to high skilled, well-paying skilled construction trades jobs.
In a letter to the Senate, Stan Kolbe, SMACNA’s Executive Director of Government and Political Affairs made a compelling case for Chavez-DeRemer’s stating that “She has always been a valued and trusted official creating bipartisan solutions endorsed by labor and employers. Solutions that were instrumental in boosting registered apprenticeships and high skilled, well-paying skilled construction opportunities.”
Click here to take a moment to read SMACNA’s letter to the Senate regarding Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination.
Jan 29, 2025 — Member Update
Mar 18, 2026 - Latest edition of SMACNA On the Road takes you to the joint SMACNA/SMART event in Orlando and provides first-hand accounts regarding the impact of the joint sessions.
Mar 18, 2026 - Join SMACNA in Orlando, October 25–28, 2026, for four days of impactful education, high-value networking, and signature events. Experience the new SMACNA Block Party at Universal CityWalk and unforgettable moments with industry leaders.
Mar 18, 2026 - Examine vital data on work hours, market sectors and the skills that are most in demand.