2025 Election: Candidate Statements

Office and Canidate(s):

First Vice President:

  • Shawn Rapp
    Currently I am the Statewide HazMat Program Coordinator in ETSB at Mill Creek, and have been in this position for 10 years.  In that role, I am the Sr. Program HazMat Geologist responsible for statewide initiatives, standards, and support Regions and MOB/Districts, dealing with spills, emergency response, hazardous building and construction materials, and contaminated properties.  Before ODOT, I worked as a Project Manager at FEQ and was a member of AFSCME.  I am also the AEE Director for Mill creek, and have held that position for about 3 years, after being the Assistant Director.  My wife and I, our dogs and a few foster horses have lived near Sandy for 13 years, and we enjoy travel, good food, and quiet neighbors.

    Before getting involved on the Board of AEE, I attended a lunchtime brownbag meeting, held by the then-President Cesar Lopez.  There was a call to fill several seats in this all volunteer organization, and at first I didn't give it much thought, but it stuck with me.  I never thought I really *needed* anything from AEE, but paid my monthly dues and had thought that was enough.  I started thinking about it, and realized if people that benefit from the Association don't also step-up and volunteer to help it, it wouldn't likely last.  I volunteered, and started working to support the Association that supports me and all members of the bargaining unit.  Three or so years later, I am in the middle of my second bargaining session, I have assisted with grievances, done my best to support employees in discipline, and been to countless AEE committee, staff, and Board meetings.

    I have been happy doing what I can to support AEE at TLC (now Mill Creek), but there was a need for someone to step up into a vacant 1st Vice-President role.  It is not a position I was interested in or aspired to.  I don't really want to go to meetings at the T-Building, or have to think about budgets or quorums, or how to get more people involved in supporting the Association, or have the responsibility and commitment required to be the Bargaining Chair for the 2027-2029 CBA.  I prefer keeping a low profile and doing technical work.  Unfortunately, ODOT is entering an uncertain time - some disciplines (including mine) are centralizing, there is a hiring freeze, the State and Federal budgets are up in the air, as of May 12, 2025, two Highway Division Administrators have left in less than a year.  That doesn't even get to the "normal" unknowns - the statewide group grievances, issues with Workday, interim bargaining, Remote Work, etc., etc.  There is too much going on, and people need to do more to not only support the Association, but to assist with the lift of the people that are volunteering to do all this work.  

    I recently saw a quote under a picture on Instagram of an REI store that was organizing a Union that has stuck with me a bit.  It said something like, " 'The Union' is an organization you build with your coworkers, not a service you receive."  It's the reason I decided to accept the nomination for 1st VP - because AEE is not a service I receive.

Mill Creek Director

  • Kyle Lewis
    I have been the Assistant Bridge Inspector for Region 1 since starting with ODOT in November 2022, and spend most of my time in the field, performing federally required biennial in-service safety inspections on state-owned bridges and tunnels in the Portland Metro and Columbia Gorge. I’m also on Bridge Section’s rope access inspection team and support major bridge inspection projects around the state.

    I live in Southeast Portland with my girlfriend (Natalie) and our dog (Cooper). On the weekends, we like to get outside - walking and biking around the city, hiking and camping in the Mount Hood National Forest and northern Coast Range, and admiring the trees, birds, and infrastructure wherever we go.

    I got involved with AEE in late 2024 as a member of the bargaining committee, where I’ve been supporting the effort to ensure that our next contract protects our members through uncertain times and rewards the sacrifices we all make in service of the public. I want to serve as the AEE Director for Headquarters/Mill Creek to make sure that I can continue that work after this contract is ratified, by sticking up for our centralized members in a landscape where the State is under increasing pressure to reshape operational policy in ways that don’t line up with the interests of the people doing the work. I hope that you’ll trust me to bring energy, work ethic, and courage to the table.

Director HQ

  • VACANT - No Candidate Filed

Director Region 1

  • Jeffrey Hayes (current director)
    No Statement Filed.

Director Region 4

  • VACANT - No Candidate Filed

OPRD Director

  • VACANT - No Candidate Filed

AEE Oregon