AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Dept. Ayers has been head of IBEW construction and maintenance department.

Construction union leaders have selected Mark Ayers, director of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers' construction and maintenance department, to be the next president of the AFL-CIO's Building and Construction Trades Dept. Ayers, who was confirmed for the post by the BCTD board on Sept. 6, will succeed the retiring Edward C. Sullivan as president on Oct. 1.

Before heading the IBEW's construction and maintenance unit, Ayers was business manager and financial secretary for the union's Local 34 in Peoria, Ill.

He said in a statement, "I look forward to addressing the challenges and seizing the opportunities that present themselves to the union construction industry."

Sullivan, who has led the BCTD since 2000, announced his retirement in May.

The building trades' governing board is composed of the general presidents of the BCTD's 12 affiliated unions.