Born in Mississippi and reared in Gary, IN by activist parents, DeWitt Walton is a 25-year employee of the United Steelworkers (USW) and is currently assigned to the Civil & Human Rights department. He has served as an Organizer, Strategic Campaigner and as an Assistant to the International President. His responsibilities include increasing union membership along with strengthening the historic link between organized labor and the Minority community and he brings a broad range of experiences in community and political mobilization; Dewitt joined the Young Democrats in college and continued to work on social justice and political projects. An alumnus of Idaho State University, in 1971 he joined VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) the domestic equivalent to the Peace Corps.

DeWitt returned to Gary, Indiana in 1976 to work for Inland Steel Co. where he became active in both his local union and community organizations. He served in a number of capacities in his local union including Political Education Director. In 1990, the United Steelworkers union hired DeWitt as an Organizer for the United Steelworkers of America and in 1995 transferred to Pittsburgh where he has worked on and directed projects that have taken him across the United States, and Europe and Africa. Currently DeWitt serves as an Assistant to the International President for the United Steelworkers.

Continuing to practice the principles of building coalitions between Labor, Activist and Community groups, DeWitt served as a National Board member of Americans for Democratic Action (ADA), President of the Pittsburgh chapter of ADA. Currently he serves, as Vice President of the Pittsburg A. Philip Randolph Institute (PAPRI) is a Board member of the Thelma Lovette/Centre Ave YMCA, Three Rivers Waterkeepers and Schenley Heights Development along with A P+ Schools. He continues to be active in the Pittsburgh Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. In his USW, APRI and Kappa Alpha Psi roles, he created a partnership with the Housing Authority City of Pittsburgh (HACP) that focused on efforts to empower HACP residents and communities economically, educationally, conduct mentoring programs for children of residents and build better information sharing systems for the residents of those facilities. He also serves as Program Director of the Pittsburgh APRI’s “Breaking The Chains of Poverty” workforce development program.

DeWitt lives in the Hill District.

As the Allegheny County Council representative for District 11, Paul Klein is hoping to bring his experience in business, government and higher education, to the task of being both an effective advocate for his district, while maintaining a county wide perspective in fulfilling his responsibilities.

Paul is a professor at Duquesne University’s Palumbo/Donahue School of Business where he teaches law and ethics in both the undergraduate and MBA programs. He serves on the university’s Grievance Board and on the Honor’s College Advisory Board.

As a faculty member, he was among the business school faculty who developed the school’s service learning requirement for business students. He has served on the school’s Internship and Placement Committee as well as both the Graduate and Undergraduate Curriculum Committees. He was also the faculty advisor to the Society for the Advancement of Management, a student organization for management majors. In 2013, he was the recipient of the Kurt Rethwisch Outstanding Teacher Award in the School of Business.

Prior to joining Duquesne University, he was a financial advisor for Paine Webber (UBS) and a compliance representative for the Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations where he investigated and mediated complaints alleging unfair employment and housing practices.

Mr. Klein was a volunteer at the homeless shelter at the East Liberty Presbyterian Church where along with other volunteers from St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Highland Park, he prepared and served meals. Along with his wife and children, Mr. Klein was a volunteer for newly settled families from Somalia, who were sponsored by Catholic Charities and provided support by the Pittsburgh Refugee Center.

Paul is a committeeman in the City of Pittsburgh’s 14th ward. He has been a moderator for three state wide candidate forums sponsored by the 14th and 7th ward Democratic Committees of Pittsburgh. In 2012, it was the Pennsylvania Attorney General forum, in 2014 the gubernatorial forum and in 2015 the state Supreme Court forum.

Paul was born and raised in Pittsburgh and is a graduate of Penn State University. He earned his law degree at the Duquesne University School of Law.

Paul and his wife Holly Maurer–Klein, have three children, their son-in law and one grandchild.

Nicholas Futules (D) was elected to the Allegheny County Council in November 2007 to represent District 7, which encompasses Blawnox, Brackenridge, Cheswick, Churchill, East Deer, Fawn, Frazer, Harmar, Harrison, Oakmont, Penn Hills, Springdale Borough, Springdale Township, Tarentum, Verona and Wilkins. Prior to joining Allegheny County Council, Nick, a former resident of Verona, served on the Verona Council for eight years. During his time on the Verona Council, Nick was the Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee and a member of four additional committees. Nick is a former Verona Democratic Committee Member, a former member of the Verona Zoning Board and a past member of the Greek Orthodox Church of Oakmont’s Board of Directors.

Nick attended the Community College of Allegheny County, Boyce Campus, where he majored in Business Management and Culinary Arts. Nick acts as the Corporate Business Manager, Secretary, and Treasurer of the Futules? Harmar House, a banquet facility, motel and catering business, that he co-owns with his brother, Tony. Nick is also a co-owner of A.K. Property Corporation and Futules Properties. Additionally, Nick spent more than 25 years as the co-owner of the former Futules? Restaurant in Verona, a business started by his grandparents in 1906.

Nick strongly believes in giving back to the community. Through his business, Nick provides support to a variety of non-profit and youth organizations, notably the Riverview Athletic Association, Toys for Tots, Mining Memories, and the Relay for Life, which Nick supports as a corporate sponsor. Nick also sponsors the Bike Derby in Verona, a youth program that provides free helmets for children and teaches about bicycle safety.

Nick is the Chair of the Allegheny County Council Parks Committee. Over the years, Nick has worked with the Allegheny County Executive?s Office and Council to bring new ideas and programs to the parks system to improve its overall operations.

Nick, a lifelong resident of the Allegheny County Council?s 7th District, is married to Michele, and has three children, Nicholas, Zoe, and Billy, and a granddaughter, Lily.

John Palmiere was appointed to represent District 6 of Allegheny County Council on January 21, 2011, to finish the unexpired term of Ms. Joan Cleary. John served for over 23 years as the Director of the Baldwin Whitehall School District, a position requiring him to remain aware of education issues and of the ever-changing world of local and state concerns. As the District Director, John guided 84 percent of graduates of Baldwin Whitehall High School to pursue post-secondary education. He oversaw the Board through difficult transitions and large projects, including the $64 million renovation of the high school. John served as the Director of the Allegheny County Intermediate Unit, which enhanced his understanding of our region’s education system and allowed him to confront problems impacting the 42 school districts in Allegheny County. He is a member of Baldwin Whitehall High School’s Dedication Committee and is a board member of the Friends of the Baldwin Whitehall Theater Arts.

As an entrepreneur, who began Palmiere’s Hair Center 40 years ago, John’s seasoned local business experience allows him to relate to business owners and the economy of Allegheny County. Through his professional career, he interacts with constituents every day, giving him a constant perspective of citizens’ opinions. He was an Adjunct Instructor at the Pittsburgh Barber School and the Professional Barber and Beauty Supplies, Inc., and he currently holds a Pennsylvania Barbers License and Pennsylvania Shop Managers License. He has been a member of the UFCW, Local 23, Barber Division for over 40 years.

Rev. Burgess is currently serving his second term on Pittsburgh’s City Council representing the neighborhoods of Homewood, Larimer, North Point Breeze, East Hills, Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar, East Liberty, Garfield, Stanton Heights and Friendship. During his tenure he has been constantly advocating for the rights of low-moderate income people by creating legislation that empowers the community to be a part of the government process.

Councilman Rev. Ricky Burgess is guided a strong belief in the community of Pittsburgh and in the greater community he serves. For the past 30 years, Rev. Burgess has been pastor of the Nazarene Baptist Church. In that capacity, Rev. Burgess has served with faithful distinction with a firm belief in the greater power that guides and offers hope for us all. Over the last 23 years, he also served as a Professor of Communications at Community College of Allegheny County.

Rev. Burgess is a member of the Board of Commissioners for the Housing Authority for City of Pittsburgh. He has worked to establish clean safe affordable housing for the residents of Pittsburgh. Rev. Burgess has also been an active Board Member of the Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute, Allegheny Union Baptist Association and Homewood Community Ministries.

Rev. Burgess graduated from Central Catholic High School and then LaSalle University and has earned a Masters from Eastern Michigan University. He has also studied at Penn State University and the Pittsburgh Theological University.

Married to Carlotta K. Burgess for the past 30 years, Rev. Burgess has helped to raise three sons, Richard, John and William, as well as one daughter, Candace.

Councilman Bruce A. Kraus, born and raised in the South Side, began serving as a member of Pittsburgh City Council on January 7th, 2008.  Bruce proudly represents Pittsburgh’s 3rd Council District while rounding out his duties as City Council President.  District 3 is comprised of the following neighborhoods: Allentown, Arlington, Arlington Heights, Beltzhoover, Central Oakland, Knoxville, Mt. Oliver, Oakcliffe, South Oakland, South Side Flats, South Side Slopes, and St. Clair.  Bruce was reelected to his seat in 2011 and sworn in for a second term on January 3rd, 2012. In January of 2014, Bruce was elected by his colleagues as the President of Pittsburgh City Council.

Councilman Kraus’s personal history and extensive relationship with his constituents has played a key role in influencing a great deal of his work in local government.  As Pittsburgh’s first openly gay elected official, Bruce has been a strong proponent of civil rights issues, including the Allegheny County Human Relations Commission – which serves to combat discrimination in housing, public accommodation, and employment – and the City’s first Domestic Partner Registry.

As a Councilman, Bruce has sponsored a diverse and comprehensive package of legislation over the years. In response to concerns of his constituents, Councilman Kraus introduced the Responsible Hospitality Institute’s Sociable City Plan, which has worked to develop a comprehensive strategy to improve night life throughout Pittsburgh with an emphasis on public safety and transportation. He has also designed stricter open-container laws and passed the first municipal ban on public urination. Additionally, he sponsored the City’s Social Host Ordinance, tightening measures to prevent underage parties and protect students and residents from unsafe conditions often created by these parties. Bruce has supported  also cosponsored legislation to require proper reporting of lost and stolen handguns in promotion of safe and responsible gun ownership in the City of Pittsburgh.

Councilman Kraus is committed to the revival of the historic and traditional beauty of the many neighborhoods in Pittsburgh’s Community. He collaborated with Public Works in reopening the South Side Market House which is the largest senior program center in the City.  Bruce assisted in securing funding and support for the $4 million renovation of the Carson Street branch of the Carnegie Library to better serve the surrounding community with state of the art library services. Councilman Kraus worked to secure space and open the Carnegie “Pop-Up Library” in Allentown to provide library access to the surrounding residents.

Bruce Kraus has supported many projects in collaboration with local government offices, City departments, and neighborhood groups throughout District 3. Bruce helped to lead the conversion of a once blighted South Side property into the Riverfront Off-Leash Exercise Area, a dog park serving South Pittsburgh.

He is currently collaborating in planning and investing in a $2 million renovation to the Knoxville branch of the Carnegie Library to also serve this hilltop community.   He is actively working towards improvements in recycling and waste management and the elimination of abandoned cars and derelict buildings throughout the district.

Outside of his roles of leading City Council and serving District 3, Bruce sits on the Brashear Association’s Board of Trustees, the Carnegie Library Board of Trustees, the Carnegie Mellon Board of Trustees, the Board of the Children’s Sickle Cell Foundation, the Board of Directors for the Institute for Research, Education & Training in Addictions (IRETA), the Board of Directors for the Oakland Business Improvement District (OBID), the Board of Trustees for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, and the Advisory Board to Shepard Wellness.

Council President Bruce Kraus is dedicated to fighting for the equal rights and well-being of all citizens of Pittsburgh.  A truly community-focused public official, Bruce constantly strives to get to know the personal stories of the residents he represents.  He is constantly working towards, in his words, “A city where all people are invited to our great common table, to share in an equal voice and have every opportunity to participate in the stewardship of their futures.”