Stephen Sweeney was initiated into Local 399 (Camden, N.J.) on December 1, 1977 and gained journeyman status on January 1, 1980. He was the FST/BA of Local 399 before becoming a general organizer effective March 10, 2008, servicing the area of the District Council of Philadelphia and Vicinity and the District Council of Northern New Jersey, as well as handling specific assignments from International Headquarters. Brother Sweeney has been a strong leader as business manager of his local and in his role in state politics. First elected to the New Jersey State Senate in 2001 as the representative of the Third Legislative District of New Jersey, he has served as senate president since 2010.  On January 13, 2014, Brother Sweeney was appointed general vice president of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers.