Jay K. Potesta is the Business Manager, Financial Secretary for Sheet Metal Workers Local Union No. 20.  Jay was born on August 3, 1953 in East Chicago, Indiana.  He is married to Pam, and they have two children, Joseph and Melanie.  Joseph is a Sheet Metal Worker and is married to Chrislynn Stwally.  They have two children Mia and Anthony.  He is employed by the Sheet Metal Workers Local No. 20 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Center as an Instructor.  Melanie is employed by the law firm Feiwell & Hannoy. and is an Indiana Pacer's Pace Mate.  Jay graduated from Hammond High School.  He has a B.A. in Music Education and Education from Vandercrook College, and an A.S. in Labor Studies from Indiana University, and has attended continuing education schools and seminars at George Meany Center, as well as the International Foundation for Employee Benefits in Health & Welfare, and Pension Funds. 

       Jay became a journeyman Sheet Metal Worker in June, 1980, and served his apprenticeship from August, 1976 to June, 1980.  He was elected as Business Representative of the Gary Area in June, 1989, and served in this position from July, 1989 to October, 1994.  Jay became the Business Manager, Financial Secretary/Treasurer in October, 1994, where he presently continues to serve.

            Jay is very involved in many organizations which support his duties as Business Manager.  He is 2^nd Vice President of the Indiana State Building Trades Council, as well as the Indiana State AFL-CIO.  He is President of the Great Lakes States Council of Sheet Metal Workers, and past President of the Hammond School Board.  Jay has been appointed to the Task Force for Education (National Training Fund), Siding & Decking Standing Committee by the International Association, the National Building Trades Coordinator for Congresswoman Julia Carson’s Campaign, 10^th District in 1998, and a registered Lobbyist at the Indiana General Assembly.

         Jay also serves as Trustee of the Gary Area Pension Fund, the Indianapolis Area Pension Fund, the Statewide Health & Welfare Fund, and the Statewide Joint Apprenticeship and Training Trust.  He also serves as Chairman of the Statewide Annuity Fund.

         Jay was appointed to the Joint Alcohol and Substance Abuse Task Force, and as a Trustee of SASMI by the International Association.  He was also appointed as Chairman of the Indianapolis Mayor’s Labor Advisory Committee by Mayor Bart Peterson.  Jay was appointed as the 11^th General Vice President of the International Association effective April 1, 2000, and is now currently the 3rd.  He was also appointed to the Capital Improvement Board by Mayor Bart Peterson effective October, 2000, the Indiana Economic Development Council by Governor Frank O’Bannon effective October 2000, and the Finance Committee by the S.M.W. International Association effective January, 2001, SMWIA/SMACNA Joint Executive Committee effective March 13, 206, NJAB effective March 13, 2006, SMWIA/UTU Merger Committee effective August 2005, Indiana Port Commission effective July 1, 2005.  Jay was also appointed to the Mayor’s  Commission on Diversity, as well as the Advisory Board of the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Board (ICVA)           

        Jay is a Master Mason, Indiana Harbor Lodge 686, 32nd Degree Mason Scottish Rite, South Bend, a Shriner with the Orak Shrine, Michigan City, and a lifetime member of Pirates.  Jay enjoys spending his leisure time with his family and especially his grandchildren Mia and Anthony.