USW Local 689 President Herman Potter announced his retirement after 36 years of serving the local in southern Ohio and working at the Portsmouth former gaseous diffusion plant as a lab technician and production process operator.
Potter will retire from his position with North Wind Dynamics (NWD) and resign from his union leadership role effective Feb. 2, 2025. Potter has held various roles in the local union throughout his career, including safety representative, vice president and president. Potter was also instrumental in setting priorities during his longtime membership to the Atomic Energy Workers Council (AEWC).
“Stepping away at this time will allow me to reduce my workload and also give others in our local opportunities to move into leadership positions,” said Potter in a letter to Local 689 members in early January.
Evan Brown, the local union’s vice president, is set to succeed him as president of Local 689. Potter expressed his intention to possibly engage in part-time assignments for the USW and to continue his membership on the EM advisory board for Portsmouth.
Potter has been heavily involved in improving the community surrounding the Portsmouth plant throughout his career, serving on the board of the Southern Ohio Diversification Initiative and collaborating with other organizations to improve the quality of life for residents.
“Herman’s leadership and dedication to his local and to workers in the nuclear sector have been instrumental in improving both the safety of our members and advancing key nuclear legislation,” said USW International Vice President Roxanne Brown, who has worked closely with Potter on AEWC in her role overseeing the council.
“His tireless efforts within Local 689, on the council and in his community to help revitalize and seek long-term investments for the Portsmouth site have left a lasting legacy that will continue to benefit our members and Pike County for years to come. We thank Herman for his service and wish him all the best as he enters retirement.”
In addition to thanking his fellow local USW members, Potter also acknowledged the cooperation of DOE and its contractors in addressing worksite issues and planning for the re-industrialization of the former gaseous diffusion plant complex, stating, “Even though there have been differences of opinion, I do not feel it was personal.”
Click here to read more about Potter and his fellow union members at Portsmouth, who were featured in the Fall 2024 issue of USW@Work magazine.