Robert “Chap” Thornton
UA LOCAL 286 BUSINESS MANAGER AND FINANCIAL SECRETARY-TREASURER

The recipient of this year’s Industry Person of the Year, Robert “Chap” Thornton, began his career in the plumbing and pipefitting trades through the UA apprenticeship program, where he honed both technical skills and leadership qualities. His early years on job sites across Central Texas laid a strong foundation for his deep understanding of the field. With decades of experience under his belt, he has earned the respect of peers, contractors, and union members alike for his dedication to the industry and the labor movement. 

As business manager and financial secretary-treasurer of UA Local 286, based in Austin, Texas, Thornton leads a membership of more than 1,300 plumbers, pipefitters, and HVAC technicians. In this dual role, he manages contract negotiations, apprenticeship programs, labor relations, and union finances — ensuring that Local 286 operates efficiently and with integrity. His leadership has helped maintain strong partnerships with public agencies, private contractors, and training organizations throughout the region. 

He is a champion for education and skills training, overseeing one of the most respected UA apprenticeship programs in the state. Under his guidance, Local 286 has expanded its training center and implemented updated curriculum to reflect evolving technologies in plumbing, mechanical systems, and green infrastructure. He works closely with the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) to ensure apprentices graduate with the knowledge and professionalism needed to succeed in a changing industry. 

Beyond his work within Local 286, Thornton plays a critical role in broader industry initiatives, advocating for workforce development, fair labor standards, and code compliance. He actively participates in regional labor councils, construction boards, and public policy forums that shape the future of the skilled trades in Texas. His efforts have contributed to improved safety standards and the promotion of high-quality, union-led work on major infrastructure projects across the state. 

Thornton has strengthened Local 286’s reputation as a vital civic and economic partner. Under his leadership, the local has increased its outreach to schools, veterans’ groups, and underserved communities, promoting careers in the trades and expanding opportunities for a diverse workforce. His ability to balance strategic planning with on-the-ground engagement has helped Local 286 stay at the forefront of the union construction industry in the rapidly growing Central Texas region. 

"I'm not real sure how you follow up an introduction like that, but I’m sitting there thinking, when somebody I don't know asks me what I do, I always say I'm a plumber because that's the short answer to it,” Thornton said. “I wear a whole lot of hats and do a whole lot of things that don’t pay, you know? But I want to thank IAPMO, I want to thank John Mata; and never underestimate what a passionate plumber can do in this industry with the help of a great code body and code that IAPMO produces. Thank you.”