T. J. (Tom) Stapleton

T.J. (Tom) Stapleton has worked for years to help develop quality projects to help meet the state's transportation needs. Now he brings that same commitment to the California High-Speed Rail Authority as a member of the board.

In 1990, he served a co-chair of the Propositions 108 and 111 committees that won voter approval of major construction bond measures to fund statewide rail and road construction.

Coupled with his labor background, Stapleton offers a critical perspective to the organization charged with exploring development of a high-speed passenger train system in California.

"High-speed rail is the answer for California's transportation problems," says Stapleton. "I've been in the highway construction business my whole life. But today's congestion is so fantastic, and you just can't build anymore highways.

"You need something else to move people, and that's high-speed rail."

In December 1997, Stapleton retired as vice president of the International Union of Operating Engineers of America. He remains a member of the Alameda-based Operating Engineers Local 3, where he served as business manager for 14 years and has been a member since 1956. Local 3 is the largest construction local in the world with a membership surpassing 35,000.

Stapleton also has held senior positions with the AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department and the California State Building Trades Council.

Before his tenure as a union official, Mr. Stapleton served in the United States Navy and worked as a heavy duty mechanic and welder, equipment operator and supervisor foreman.

He has been active in support of community-based programs, and in 1993 he received the "Spirit of Life" award from the City of Hope.