As your business manager of Local 49, I want to say that it is a honor and privilege to be working with the Local 49 membership. I am from northern Minnesota and a first-generation member of Local 49. I started in the industry out of state in directional drilling. When I returned to Minnesota, my experience included working at powerhouses, paper mills and in the mines on the Iron Range. I am extremely passionate about progressing Local 49 into the future, and ensuring that our members, their families and this entire union have a strong and successful future.

Eugene Grover has been a member of Local 49 since 2006. He started working in construction in 2000, primarily in the asphalt industry. He then worked for the City of Rochester Sewer Collections Department, where he was elected a shop steward. In 2009 Eugene was hired as an area business representative based in Rochester and represented public employees until 2017. During that time, he was voted president of the Southeastern Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council (2012-2018). Since 2017, he has been primarily representing members working under the Highway Heavy and Builders contracts in southeastern Minnesota. From 2015-2023 he represented Region 2 on the Local 49 Executive Board. He currently serves as president of Local 49 and as a trustee for the Health and Welfare Fund.

Mark Pothen has been chief of staff for Local 49 since 2018 and a member since 1999. He has also served as vice president since November 2024.

Pothen started in construction in 1997 in the paving/asphalt industry. He worked for Midwest Asphalt in 1999, and then for C.S. McCrossan from 2000 to 2003, mainly in their Maple Grove sand and gravel pit.

In 2004 Pothen was hired as an organizer working out of the Minneapolis office before going on to administer the Market Recovery Program. In late 2006 he became a public sector business agent and represented public sector members until 2017.

Pothen also served on the Executive Board (Region 1) from 2013 through 2017. He currently serves as the chair of the Training and Apprenticeship Trust Fund, and sits on the board of the Building Trades Credit Union.

I first want to thank the membership of Local 49 for allowing me to serve as your Recording-Corresponding Secretary. I became a member of Local 49 in 2000 and began working in the crane industry on the rental side. I was then hired as an Organizer with Local 49 back in October 2006, and later transitioned into an Area Business Representative in 2015.

I am honored and humbled that the membership has placed its trust in me as your Recording-Corresponding Secretary. With your trust I will work tirelessly on your behalf to help address the challenges this union may face in the future, while also helping to secure lasting and meaningful improvements to the members and their family’s quality of life.

Marv Hose is the area business representative for Local 49 out of the Mankato office. He mainly represents members under the Highway Heavy and Builders agreements. A member since 2002, Marv worked as an operator/superintendent in the dirt/sewer-and-water industry before becoming a business representative in 2013. Marv has also served on the Regional Advisory Board representing Region 2 and was chair of the Apprenticeship/Training Fund from 2018 to 2021. Marv was appointed to the position of Local 49 Treasurer in March 2023.