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 and 2023.
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 and 2023; and to the Board of Trustee in 2023.
In 2024, he was elected to the office of Vice President via special election.
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 comes 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.
Patrick Gillette - San Francisco Business Agent
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.
Vince Marshall - Board of Trustees
Vince is a San Francisco native who has a deep love for his city and community.
He graduated from Mark Twain High School in San Francisco in 2000, then pursued further studies in Computer Graphics at Brooks College in Long Beach, California. He also attended San Francisco City College, focusing on Early Childhood Development. During his time there, he worked as a Program Manager at a local middle school, helping children with educational skills such as math, reading, and writing through an after-school program Our Kids First.
He began his seagoing career with the MFOW in 2012, as a Wiper aboard the MV APL Japan, a containership operated by APL Marine Services.
He has also sailed as Oiler, Junior Engineer, and Electrician; and worked as a Shore Mechanic in the Port of Oakland.
Vince was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2024.
