ELECTED OFFICIALS
Anthony Poplawski - President/Secretary-Treasurer
Anthony Poplawski began his seagoing career in 1978, enlisting in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program and serving as an Electrician's Mate aboard the USS Carl Vinson.
The Detroit, Michigan native joined the Marine Firemen's Union in 1988, sailing as Maintenance Electrician aboard the SS Manulani, a Hawaiian Enterprise-class containership operated by Matson Navigation Company.
Afterwards he sailed as Chief Electrician and Refrigerating Engineer, and worked as a Shore Mechanic in San Pedro, California.
Anthony holds a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts from the University of the State of New York-Regents College (now Excelsior College).
He was elected to the office of Wilmington Port Agent in 2001, San Francisco Port Agent in 2003, and President/Secretary-Treasurer in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2020 and 2023.
He is a delegate to the San Francisco Labor Council, Alameda Labor Council and California Labor Federation. In 2021, he was elected to the office of Vice President of the San Francisco Bay Area and Vicinity Port Maritime Council, Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO.
He is also an ex officio Vice President of the Seafarers International Union of North America, AFL- CIO.
From 2013-2020, Anthony was appointed to the Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee, reporting to the Homeland Security Secretary via the Coast Guard Commandant, on matters relating to the training, qualification, licensing, certification and fitness of seamen in the U.S. Merchant Marine.
Deyne Umphress - Vice President
Deyne Umphress was born in Wailuku, Hawaii.
He began his seagoing career with the MFOW in 2009 aboard the SS Lihue - an ex-LASH containership operated by Matson Navigation Company.
Deyne has worked in the MFOW as Wiper, Oiler, Refrigerating Engineer, Electrician, Shore Mechanic and Relief Port Agent.
He also served on the 2018 Negotiating Committee during negotiations with APL Marine Services.
He holds an Associate of Arts in both Liberal Arts and Japanese from Los Angeles City College.
He was elected to the office of Vice President in 2020 and 2023.
In 2022, Deyne was appointed to serve as a member of the National Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (N-MERPAC) representing qualified members of the engine department. N-MERPAC advises, consults with, and makes recommendations to the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary through the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard on matters relating to training, qualifications, certification, documentation and fitness of merchant mariners.
Robert Baca - San Francisco Business Agent
Robert Baca hails from Oakland, California.
He studied at Merritt College in Oakland and completed military service in the U.S. Air Force Security Forces.
He began his seagoing career with the MFOW in 1999 aboard the SS Meteor - a U.S. Maritime Administration Ready Reserve Force vessel operated by American Ship Management.
He has sailed as Wiper, Oiler, Junior Engineer and Refrigerating Engineer.
He also worked as a Shore Mechanic and filled in several times as San Francisco Relief Business Agent.
He was elected to the office of San Francisco Business Agent in 2014, 2017, 2020 and 2023; and to the Board of Trustee in 2023.
Mario Higa - Honolulu Port Agent and Board of Trustees
Mario Higa first shipped with the MFOW in 1997 aboard the SS Comet - a U.S. Maritime Administration Ready Reserve Force vessel operated by American President Lines.
The Honolulu-born mariner has worked as Wiper, Junior Engineer, Refrigerating Engineer, Electrician and Shore Mechanic.
Over the years, Mario served as Relief Honolulu Business Agent.
He was elected to the office of Honolulu Port Agent and Board of Trustees in 2014, 2017, 2020 and 2023.
Harold "Sonny" Gage - Wilmington Port Agent and Board of Trustees
Harold "Sonny" Gage hails from Wahiawa, on the island of Oahu, Hawaii.
He began seagoing service with the MFOW in 1991 aboard the SS President Grant, an ex-LASH containership operated by American President Lines.
He has since worked as Wiper, Junior Engineer, Refrigerating Engineer, Electrician and Shore Mechanic.
Sonny filled in several times as Relief Wilmington Business Agent.
He was elected to the office of Wilmington Port Agent and Board of Trustees in 2014, 2017, 2020 and 2023.