Business Agents

David Butterworth has been a Local 798 member in good standing for 25 years. He served in the US Army from 1995 to 1997 and was honorably discharged. He worked his first pipeline job as a Welder Helper in 1998. In 2002 David graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism. He changed his classification from Welder Helper to Journeyman Welder in 2005 and worked as a Welder Foreman, Job Steward, and Fabrication Foreman until 2015. David was elected as a delegate to the UA Convention in 2016 and 2021. He was appointed to the position of Business Agent in January 2016. He is also a member of the West Virginia Pipe Trades and the Pennsylvania Pipe Trades, and he serves as a member of the Pennsylvania Independent Oil and Gas Association’s Market Development Committee. David and his wife Maria have two children, William and Bobby. The family currently resides in Elkview, West Virginia.

 918.600.5109

 butterworth@local798.org

Jerry Dale Crabtree, Jr. joined Pipeliners Local Union 798 in 1986. He is very proud to be a third-generation union member following in the footsteps of his grandfather, the late A.D. “Buddy” Crabtree, and his father, Jerry Dale Crabtree, Sr.

He has had the pleasure of serving this Local in multiple capacities: Welder Helper, Journeyman Welder, Job Steward, Welder Foreman, and Mechanized Welding Technician. Thanks to the generosity of fellow members, he was elected as Inside Guard in 2014 and a U.A. delegate in 2011, 2016, and 2021. He also served as UA Sergeant of Arms in 2016. Since his appointment in 2017, Dale has proudly and humbly served as Business Agent of the southeast region.

Dale has been married to Shawna Crabtree since 1988. Together they have three children, Autumn Brooke Crabtree (Razian), August DeLainey Crabtree (Huff), and Jerry Dale Crabtree III. They also have seven grandchildren. He is a resident of Fouke, Arkansas. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, spoiling his grandkids, hunting, fishing, and restoring old vehicles.

 918.991.5341

 jdcrabtreejr@local798.org

Joe W. Gaines is a proud 20-year member of Pipeliners Local Union 798. He started “working on the pipeline” when he was 16 years old and has worked as a Welder Helper, Journeyman Welder, Welder Foreman, and Job Steward. Joe married his wife, Stephanie, in 1999, and together they have three children, Madison, Joseph, and Emily. They reside in Dalhart, Texas, located in the Northwest corner of the Texas Panhandle. In his spare time, Joe enjoys hunting, golfing, traveling, and spending time with his wife and kids. He is humbled and honored to be selected as the Business Agent for Texas and looks forward to serving the members of this great local.

 918.237.3573

joe@local798.org

Todd Hartle has been a proud member since his initiation on June 5, 1997. He changed his classification from Welder Helper to Journeyman Welder on April 15, 1999. Since then, Todd has worked as a Journeyman Welder, Welder Foreman, and Job Steward. Todd was elected as a delegate for the 40th UA General Convention. Todd was appointed as Business Agent in January 2022. Todd has been married to his wife Kim since October 1999, and together they have three children, Gracie, Hope, and Sarah. They reside in Rose Bud, Arkansas. “I am honored to serve Pipeliners Local Union 798 as a Business Agent for the Midwestern states.”

 918.230.1884

todd@local798.org

Justin Head has been a proud member of Pipeliners Local Union 798 since his initiation as a Welder Helper in 2002. In 2005 he changed his classification to Journeyman Welder. Justin has worked as a Journeyman Welder, Welder Foreman, Job Steward, and Mechanized Welding Technician. He was also elected as a delegate for the 40th UA Convention. Justin resides in Wyoming with his wife, Jaime Head, and their four children, Wyatt, Paityn, Bowen, and Cyrus. Being chosen to represent and work for the finest pipeliners in the world is one of the proudest and most humbling experiences of his life. He looks forward to doing everything in his power to see this great local union succeed well into the future.

 918.398.3380

 jhead@local798.org

Charlie Thomas is a third-generation, 25-year member of Pipeliners Local Union 798. He began his career working as a Welder Helper and broke out welding in 2007. Throughout his career, he has worked as a Welder Helper, Journeyman Welder, Technician, Job Steward, and Welder Foreman.

Charlie is originally from Clendenin, West Virginia, but currently resides in Elkview, West Virginia. He married his wife Callie in 2010, and they have three sons: Carter, 10, Callahan, 7, and Crew, 3. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family and supporting his children in their extracurricular activities. “I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve the membership. This Local Union has meant so much to my family and community”   

918.313.5987

 cthomas@local798.org

Joseph Torres has been a dedicated member since 2007. He began his journey as a Welder Helper before becoming a Journeyman Welder in 2010. In 2016, he embraced the opportunity to serve his union as a Job Steward, a role he has carried out with pride and commitment.

In 2021, Joseph was honored to be nominated as a delegate for the 40th UA Convention. His fellow members recognized him and elected him as Inside Guard in 2022. In this position, he ensured that meetings were conducted with structure and integrity. His dedication to the contract and Local 798 members led to his appointment as Business Agent in April 2025.

Joseph resides in Ohio with his wife, Stevie, and their children. He cherishes the time spent hunting with his kids and supporting them in their athletic endeavors.

With a strong desire to engage younger members in the union, Joseph believes in the importance of preparing the next generation. He passionately advocates for their education and investment, understanding that our future success relies on their involvement. “I am committed to serving our members. Being a Business Agent for this great local is truly an honor. Together, we can build a better tomorrow and a stronger 798.”

 918.425.8321

joseph@local798.org

Charles Yates, Jr. is a second-generation Pipeliners Local Union 798 member who has been in continuous good standing since his initiation on May 20, 1981. He joined Pipeliners Local Union 798 as a Welder Helper and changed his classification to Journeyman Welder in 1989. In 2003, he began to represent the membership on the ROW as a Job Steward. Charles was elected as a UA delegate for the 38th, 39th, and 40th General Conventions. In 2013, he was also elected to serve as an officer on the Executive Board to uphold the constitution and by-laws, where he remained until his February 2016 appointment as Business Agent covering Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. His territory expanded in 2021 to include Kentucky and Tennessee.

Charles resides in Ohio with his wife, Stephanie. He would like to extend his sincerest appreciation to the membership for all the support and encouragement. “I am humbled to be given such an opportunity and honored to be an advocate for both union labor and 798’s tradition of excellence. I am proud to stand with my brothers and sisters UNION STRONG TOGETHER.”

 918.600.5097

 charles@local798.org