Brother Ed McHugh started his career as an ironworker apprentice in Local 489 (Scranton, Penn.) in September of 1965. He was elevated to journeyman status in 1966 and immediately demonstrated his leadership ability by being elected to the executive board in 1968, vice president in 1979, and as president of the local in 1986.Following in the footsteps of his father, Edward McHugh Sr. who served as business agent of Local 489, Brother McHugh became assistant business agent in 1986, and was elected business agent in 1993. Recognizing his leadership then, President Jake West appointed him general organizer on November 11, 1998. Brother McHugh became president of the Philadelphia and Vicinity District Council on February 1, 1999 and was appointed general vice president on June 4, 2001 by General President Joseph Hunt. General President Hunt appointed Edward C. McHugh as general treasurer effective March 1, 2008.