Janice Nembhard-McLean is currently the American Postal Workers Union Virginia Beach Area Local President and President of the APWU State organization, the Virginia Postal Workers Union. She has been a Postal Service employee for 28 years and has been a union activist for over 22 years.
Janice is a Doctor of Education specializing in leadership and learning in organizational psychology. She holds an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health. She is dedicated to advocating for employees, improving the workplace environment, and helping employees with a work-life balance.
Greetings Sisters & Brothers! I have been a proud and productive member of the American Postal Workers Union for over 30 years. Recently, I accepted the position and responsibility of General Secretary-Treasurer for the Virginia Postal Workers Union. Most of my training and experience derived from serving as a Trustee and the Secretary-Treasurer for the Northern Virginia Area Local. Prior to becoming an officer, I served on our Election Committee. Fortunate for me, I had the benefit of working closely with our former General President, Annette August-Taylor and serving under the General Secretary-Treasurer Cherryl Belton on the state Finance Committee and Credentials Committee.
Working for the United States Postal Service and our union has allowed me to understand the importance of representation and having a voice. My goal is to continue overseeing the finances and other monetary bookkeeping as we continue moving forward into the future of automation and technology. Please feel free to email me with your Secretary-Treasurer concerns - RCVPWU@outlook.com.
I entered the Postal Service in 1974 as a Special Delivery Messenger (PTF). It took me 10 years to become a regular. The craft merged with the Clerk craft in 1998 and I am now a Clerk/Special Delivery Messenger (about only 160 of us left).
I am a member of the Northern Virginia Area Local #6803 where I serve as a steward, a trustee, editor of the Local's newsletter, and a member of the election committee (WOW, how do I do it)?
My biggest concern for the membership - apathy in reporting violations and stepping up to be involved in the Union, perhaps as a leader, steward, or just attending General Membership meetings.
I have been a steward since 2012 and involved with the state union since 2014.
For the past 13 years, I have thoroughly enjoyed being on the Executive Board for the Great State of Virginia. There have been numerous relationships established with soon-to-be members as well as members! Most relationships have been face to face, while many have been either telephonic, or electronically. As a unionist, I realize the importance and responsibility of establishing an effective communication outlet for our members to utilize as needed. I’m honored to be able to continue communicating and serving you as your Director of Industrial and Human Relations, and I look forward to it.
For over five years, I have been the Vice President for the Northern Virginia District of the VPWU.I have been a postal employee since 2012 and a Union Member since day one of my employment with the Postal Service. I am originally from North Carolina but have been a resident in the DMV area for 21 years. I’m very active in the Union. I wear many hats, as many of our union representatives do: Clerk Craft Director in APWU Local 6803,Safety Captain at Merrifield, Arbitration Advocate and have served on several committees within APWU. I am a recent graduate of Higher Education-Applied Science (HIM).
Brothers and Sisters,
My name is Hoppe Ellis, and I am honored to introduce myself as your newly appointed Maintenance Craft Director for the American Postal Workers Union. It is a privilege to serve the dedicated men and women who keep the Postal Service running every day through skill, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to public service. I have worked for the US Postal Service for 37 years and joined the Maintenance Craft in 2008.
In this role, my focus is clear:
• Protecting our jobs and work standards,
• Fighting for safe, fair working conditions,
• Ensuring our contractual rights are upheld, and
• Strengthening communication across all maintenance craft members—ETs, MPEs, MM’s, BEM’s, Custodians, and every member who keeps our facilities operating.
I look forward to working alongside each of you as we address the challenges ahead and continue building a stronger future for our craft and our union. Your voices, your concerns, and your experiences will guide the work we do together.
Thank you for the trust you’ve placed in me. I’m committed to working tirelessly on your behalf.
In solidarity,
Hoppe Ellis
Maintenance Craft Director, VPWU
Greetings Brothers and Sisters of The Virginia Postal Workers Union. I am excited to become the new Safety and Health Director. I am a veteran of the United States Navy, serving honorably as a Postal Clerk. I worked at Norfolk PD&C for a few years. Now, I work at Portsmouth Main Office as a SSDA. Portsmouth became a MAL back in 2022; there I stepped up and became the Shop Steward. Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of being on various committees in our Union as well as learning from and serving alongside awesome people. I may be new, but this role has followed me throughout both my military career and with the USPS. I am greatly honored to be in this position as I am committed to hearing your voices and helping as much as I can so that Safety and Health for everyone remains paramount.
Safety [and Health] depends on ME and YOU!
In Solidarity,
Antwan Burrus
I am a native of Alabama but raised in North Carolina and Florida. BA in Music. Veteran of the US Navy.
Thirty-year Postal Employee in Norfolk, Virginia. Worked in automation, LSM’s, Flat sorters, SPBS, BMEU (Mailing Requirements Clerk) and AMS (Address Management Technician). Retired Nov 2019.
Full dues-paying member of the National APWU. Active in elections as a Chief Officer of Elections in Norfolk, political action with the Virginia AFL-CIO and the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP). Electeed Legislative Director in 2025.
