Mike Knisley received a degree from the Hobart School of Welding Technology in 1979, graduated from Plumbers, Pipefitters and Service Technicians Local 776’s apprenticeship program in 1992, and graduated from the UA Instructor Training Program through Michigan State University at Washtenaw Community College in 1999.
Mike worked his way up in the local union, serving as instructor from 1994-2004, Union President, and winning election as Business Manager/Financial Secretary in 2004, an office he held until 2018. Mike also served as President of the Lima Building and Construction Trades Council from 2010-2018. In 2012 he took on the
additional duties of President of the Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council and held this
leadership position until being unanimously elected Secretary/Treasurer of the OSBCTC in 2018. Mike oversees the day to day operations of the State Council and supports its 14 individual local councils that comprise 137 trade unions and 100,000 members. In addition, he travels the state to lobby and promote the union construction industry. Mike also serves on the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Industrial Relations Council which represents the United Association during arbitration of contract and grievance issues nationwide.
Mike’s community service includes the following:
Governor DeWine’s Workforce Transformation Board, Board Member
Ohio AFL-CIO, Executive Board Member
Lima Senior Workforce Development Committee, Member
West Central Learning Academy, Board Member
Allen Economic Development Group, Past Board Member
Kibby Corners Development Corporation, Past Board Member
Veterans Memorial Civic & Convention Center Foundation, Past Board Member
Ohio Workforce Investment Board – Region 7, Past Board Member