Director Lucas DeSpain

Lucas DeSpain was elected by the membership to serve as a Region 4 Director of the UAW in October 2026.

Lucas became a member of UAW Local 865 in June 2004, when he was hired at John Deere Harvester Works in East Moline, Illinois, as a welder.

His co-workers quickly recognized Lucas as someone willing to take on management and lead fights for workplace justice, electing him an Alternate Steward, Steward, Bylaws Committee Chair, Committeeperson, and Bargaining Chairperson.

Lucas was twice elected Constitutional Convention Delegate, Deere Council and Ag Imp Council Delegate, Vice-Chair of the Illinois Quad City Area CAP Council, Co-Chair of the UAW/Deere National Bargaining Committee, and served on the Illinois State CAP Executive Board

In October 2015, Lucas was appointed to UAW Region 4 Staff, with an assignment covering Ag Imp, IPS, TOP, and independent local unions.

In February 2023, Region 4 Director Brandon Campbell appointed Lucas to serve as Assistant Director.

Lucas is passionate about labor education and working with Region 4 members and leaders to increase member involvement in our union and build on the improvements made over the last four years

Lucas and his wife, Rachael, live in rural northwestern Illinois. They are the proud parents of three children and expect their first grandchild in the Spring of 2027.