Local 70 thanks Gary Payton for being Joint Council 7 Commercial Drivers Education Program Lead Instructor for the past four years. Gary first joined the Teamsters in 1975 in Southern California . He later moved to the Bay Area and became a member of Local 70 in 1989. Besides training many Teamsters to become commercial drivers, Gary also made the school a resource for the Employment Development Department and various vocational rehabilitation programs.

When asked what the most rewarding aspect of the job was, Gary didn't hesitate to respond; “Training Teamsters in a new skill and improving their job opportunities was great, but the vocational rehabilitation students made me feel the best. Many felt they would never get a chance to make good; now they have good jobs and a new attitude.” Gary plans to return to ABF and we wish him the best.

JC7 Commercial Drivers Education Program Lead Instructor Gary Payton	Left to Right: Pepsi Shop Steward Carlos Tiscareno, new graduates Eddie Johnson, Marlon Mejia, Chao Wright Balm, Business Agent Lou Marchetti, and new Instructor Ron Hermanson.

Pictured above are three students that graduated from Gary 's last class. Business Agent Lou Marchetti was able to secure grant money from Alameda County 's Job Training Program to convince Pepsi to utilize the JC7 program. “Pepsi does a good job training the merchandisers to drive, but you can't beat the JC7 Program;” said Marchetti. So far seven merchandisers have completed the program with more to follow. Once they complete the class they fill driving bids that pay $3.00 an hour more and double the pension contribution rate. Shop Steward Carlos Tiscareno has done an excellent job coordinating between the merchandisers and the school to keep the program running. Also shown in the photo is the school's new Instructor Ron Hermanson. Ron is a longtime Local 70 member and is looking forward to his new job. We are sure Ron will maintain the program's tradition of success.