Organizers

Cassidy Croley has worked on the pipeline since he was 20 years old. In 2009, Black Schroeder organized him, and he then tested in as a Journeyman Welder. He has been a proud member of Pipeliners Local Union 798 for 15 years. In 2013, Cassidy began to represent the membership on the ROW as a Job Steward. He has worked as a Job Steward for many different business agents and in several different jurisdictions. In 2021, Cassidy was honored to be elected to represent 798 as a delegate for the 40th UA Convention. Cassidy resides in Northeast Texas with his wife, Julie, and their four children, Kaden, Brooke, Cash, and Bo Catherine. In his spare time, Cassidy enjoys spending time with his family. Together they love hunting, fishing, camping, and anything outdoors. He is humbled to be appointed as a union organizer and looks forward to helping build the union and moving forward.

539.235.4487

cassidy@local798.org

Chad Simmons is a third-generation pipeliner and second-generation Pipeliners Local Union 798 member. He was initiated into the union in 1987 as a Welder Helper and worked various jobs, including the pipe gang, firing line, fabrication, tie-ins, and testing. He credits the knowledge gained in this developmental period of his career to seasoned members of the pipeline industry. Chad was able to pay for his college by working during the summers and being a recipient of the Voluntary Fund Scholarship. After graduating from Northeast Louisiana University in 1997 with a BS in biology, Chad continued his pipeline career.

In 2004, he broke out as a Journeyman Spacer. Chad has had the opportunity to work in all facets of the Journeyman craft and be a superintendent and estimating manager. Chad was honored to be elected to attend the last three UA Conventions.

Chad resides in Northeast Louisiana. He has been married to his wife, Sabrina, since 2001. They have two sons, Chase, who attends LA Tech, and Garrett, who attends University Louisiana-Monroe. Pipelining has allowed them to travel to all but two states in the continental United States. They enjoy family time, traveling, and outdoor activities. “I am humbled and honored for the opportunity to serve this great local union as an organizer. 798 has provided a good life for me as a child and adult. We will work hard to continue this success.”

918.600.4207

 csimmons@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

Ralph Zoller (Barky) is a first-generation pipeliner who initiated into Pipeliners Local Union 798 as a Journeyman Welder in March of 2007. Since his initiation, he has worked as a Journeyman Welder, Testing and Repair Welder, Job Steward, and Welder Foreman. Before joining Local 798, he spent 12 years working for a gas company. Barky was born in Northeast Ohio, where he remains today. He married his wife Angie in 2006, and they have two children, Elizabeth and Robert. He enjoys spending time on his farm, hunting, and repairing tractors/equipment in his free time. Barky is grateful and feels truly blessed to represent Pipeliners Local Union 798 as an organizer and will proudly serve all of the members that have made this great local what it is today.

539.235.4610

ralph@local798.org