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 University).
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, 2023 and 2026.
He is a delegate to the San Francisco 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.
Robert Baca - Vice President
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, 2023; and to the office of Vice President in 2026.
Don Ngo - Honolulu Port Agent and Board of Trustees
Don began his maritime career with the MFOW in June 1999, sailing aboard the SS Lihue for Matson Navigation Company. Born in California and raised in Honolulu from the age of five, he has served in various shipboard and shoreside roles over the years, including Wiper, Junior Engineer, Refrigerating Engineer and Shore Mechanic for Matson Navigation and APL Marine Services.
He has completed a two-year certified course in the Culinary Arts Program at Kapi'olani Community College (KCC).
Don often served as a Relief Port Agent over the years. He was elected to the office of Honolulu Port Agent and Board of Trustees in 2026.
Pasquale Gazillo - Wilmington Port Agent
Pasquale was born in Los Angeles, California, and joined the MFOW in 1991. His first shipboard job was on the SS Kainalu, operated by Matson Navigation Company. He sailed briefly with the Sailors’ Union of the Pacific earlier the same year.
Pasquale served in the U.S. Army during the Cold War and patrolled the German-Czech border and deployed to Panama in 1989. While in the Army, he took college courses in Police Science and MOS (Military Occupational Specialty)-based correspondence courses.
He sailed in all unlicensed engine ratings with APL, Matson and Patriot Contract Services. He also worked as a Shore Mechanic and Acting Leaderman at the APL Reefer Shop at Pier 300 on Terminal Island, California.
In 2026 he was elected to the office of Wilmington Port Agent.
"From the depth of need and despair, people can work together, can organize themselves to solve problems and fill their own needs with dignity and strength."
- Cesar Chavez.
Patrick Gillette - San Francisco Business Agent and Board of Trustees
Patrick Gillette was born in Sacramento, California.
He served in the U.S. Navy submarine service from 1997 to 2005, attaining the rating of Electrician’s Mate 1st Class.
He first served in the MFOW in 2007 aboard the SS Cape Jacob, a Ready Reserve Force vessel operated by Matson Navigation Company. He has sailed as Wiper, Oiler, Refrigerating Engineer and Electrician.
Patrick holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and History from Gonzaga University.
He was elected to the office of San Francisco Business Agent in 2024 and 2026; and elected to the Board of Trustees in 2026.
Alex Reyer - Board of Trustees
Alex Reyer was born in St. Mary’s, Maryland. He comes from a maritime family: his father joined the SIU in 1972 and his brother joined the MEBA in 2008.
He first shipped with the MFOW in 2018 as an Oiler aboard the TS Kennedy, a training ship operated by Patriot Contract Services. He has since sailed as Oiler, Pumpman, Refrigerating Engineer and Electrician.
Alex holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Northern Arizona University with a minor in Chemistry. He is also a graduate of the Unlicensed Engine Program at Seattle Maritime Academy.
It is his goal to ensure the prosperous continuation of the American Merchant Mariner.
He was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2026.
