Leo T Reed | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Director, Teamsters Motion Picture and Theatrical Trades Division | |
| In office 1993–2013 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Leo Tautua Tanoa'i Reed (1939-01-03)January 3, 1939 Kahuku, Hawaii, U.S. |
| Died | February 27, 2022(2022-02-27) (aged 83) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
American football player American football career | |
| Personal information | |
| Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Weight: | 240 lb (109 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Kahuku |
| College: | Colorado State University |
| Position: | Offensive Guard/ Offensive Tackle |
| NFL draft: | 1961: 20th round, 274th pick |
| Career history | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Stats atPro Football Reference | |
Leo Tautua Tanoa'i Reed (January 3, 1939 – February 27, 2022) was an Americanlabor leader and the longtime director of theInternational Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) Motion Picture and Theatrical Trades Division. Reed first became a business agent for the Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA) in 1973, where his natural leadership and charisma attracted the attention of Hawaii labor leaderArt Rutledge, who recruited him to be a business agent for Hawaii Teamsters Local 996 in 1975.[1]
In 1980, Reed moved to Los Angeles to joinHollywood Teamsters Local 399, representing studio drivers, and was responsible for increasing the membership to 5,500 members and organizinglocation managers andcasting directors under the local.
Known as tough negotiator who understood the needs of the rank and file members, Reed was elected as its secretary-treasurer, 399's principal officer in 1988, and appointed Director of the Motion Picture and Theatrical Trades Division for the IBT in 1993. Reed won an unprecedented eight terms as 399's principal officer, during which time he united the efforts of motion picture locals across the nation to prevent the studios from simply moving to another area to avoid a strike, and publicly supporting the negotiating efforts of fellow motion picture guilds.[2][3][4]
Reed finally stepped down in 2013 after 25 years in office. His successor at the local, Steve Dayan, named Reed Secretary-Treasurer Emeritus and established the Leo T. Reed Scholarship in 2016, honoring Reed’s countless contributions to its members, and helping to send a dozen kids of local 399 members every year to college.[5][6]
The eldest of 5 kids, Reed was born on the North shore ofOahu to aScots-Irish US Army Sergeant stationed in Hawaii, Thomas "Leo" Reed, who married Vaita’i Tanoai, a daughter of the first generation ofSamoan Americans to immigrate to Hawaii to help build theHawaii LDS Temple in Laie, and was raised in a Mormon household.[7]
One of the first wave ofPolynesians in American football, Reed was the first graduate of the now football powerhouseKahuku High to play professional football, earning a football scholarship to theUniversity of Colorado and go on to play for theDenver Broncos and the1961 AFC ChampionHouston Oilers. Reed creditsAl Lolotai, the first Samoan to play pro football as a mentor, then the athletic director ofChurch College of Hawaii.
Sent down to the UFLIndianapolis Warriors in 1962, Reed returned to Hawaii in 1964 and joined theHonolulu Police Department prior to becoming a labor representative.[5]
Reed is an uncle of Hollywood stuntmanTanoai Reed, and a cousin to actorDwayne Johnson's grandfather,Peter Maivia.[6]