John T. Coli
VICE PRESIDENT, CENTRAL REGION

John Coli first joined Chicago’s Local 727 in the early 1970s when he worked as a parking lot attendant. He has served as a steward, business agent and Executive Board member before being elected as Secretary-Treasurer. As Secretary-Treasurer, Coli has grown Local 727 from 3,200 members to more than 5,200 members and now serves as President of Joint Council 25.

Patrick W. Flynn
VICE PRESIDENT, CENTRAL REGION

Patrick Flynn was born into a Teamster family in Chicago, Illinois. Flynn’s first experience with the Teamsters came in 1974, when he went to work as a dockhand. In Flynn’s Teamster career, he has served as a steward and, with Local 710, an organizer, business agent, Recording Secretary, Vice President, Director of Organizing, President and, as of 2003, Secretary-Treasurer, and Trustee of Joint Council 25.

Cheryl Johnson
VICE PRESIDENT, CENTRAL REGION

Cheryl Johnson became a Teamster after assisting in the successful organizing drive at the warehouse where she worked. Since then, she has served in many capacities in the union, including business agent, Ohio Conference State Coordinator, and Trustee of Local 20. She also serves as Director of the Human Rights Commission and President of the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund. Johnson is also Secretary of the Board for the union’s Disaster Relief Fund, and President of the International’s Women’s Caucus.

Walter A. Lytle
VICE PRESIDENT, CENTRAL REGION

Walter Lytle started his Teamsters career in 1966 while working as a grocery order selector and has also worked as a truck driver and dock worker. In 1984, he was elected Secretary-Treasurer and Principal Officer of Local 414 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a position he still holds. Lytle has also served in many different positions throughout the Teamsters Union.

Gorton Sweeton
VICE PRESIDENT, CENTRAL REGION

Gordon Sweeton is a skilled negotiator who has been instrumental in the National Freight Division’s accomplishments. Sweeton is the Assistant Director of the National Freight Division and the former President of Local 823. He has also been on the Negotiating Committee for the NMFA Central Region for the last three contracts, and was on the National Negotiating Committee on the NMFA for the 2003-2008 contract.