Brother Michael Pleasant has been a member of the United Association for more than 40 years, and throughout those years, he not only learned the skills of his trade, but at the same time rose to the highest levels of leadership in the UA. A native of Robinson, Illinois, he completed his apprenticeship with Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 157 in Terre Haute, Indiana and went on to earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree from Ivy Tech State College. He gained considerable jobsite experience on projects ranging from small plumbing jobs to major industrial construction before beginning his leadership career in 1996.

Mike’s local union leadership started when he was elected to his home local union’s Executive Board, where he served for six years. During this time, he was also appointed as an Agent, a post he held until he was elected Business Agent in 2001. In 2004, he was elected Business Manager and was re-elected to a second term as Business Manager in 2007. He also served as Secretary-Treasurer for the Lincoln Land and the Wabash Valley Building Trades Councils and President of the Indiana State Pipe Trades Association.  He continued in those capacities until 2009 when he was appointed as a UA Special Representative assigned to the General Office in Annapolis, Maryland.

In August 2011, at the 38th General Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, he was unanimously elected International Representative as the Director of Trade Jurisdiction, a position he held since March 1, 2011. Brother Pleasant was appointed Administrative Assistant to the General President on November 1, 2013. In July 2014, the UA General Executive Board elected Brother Pleasant as the Assistant General President.  He has since been unanimously re-elected twice to the office of Assistant General President; first in August 2016 at the 39th General Convention, and second in August 2021 at the 40th General Convention, both held in San Diego, California.

Today, as Assistant General President, Mike Pleasant is tasked with supporting General President Mark McManus with his duties and responsibilities and at times is directed to act on behalf of the General President in any manner the General President deems necessary or proper. General President McManus has entrusted Brother Pleasant with various duties and responsibilities, including, but not limited to, overseeing the United Association Directors and Department Heads, as well as the administration of several of the UA National Agreements, including the National Industrial Maintenance Agreement (NIMA); the National Power Generation Agreement (NPMA); the National Fabrication Agreement; the National Specialty Agreement (NSA); and the National Instrument Tech Agreement (UA/IBEW). Since 2012, Mike Pleasant has served as the elected President and Labor Co-Chair of the National Maintenance Agreement Policy Committee (NMAPC). Brother Pleasant serves as a trustee on The Plumbers and Pipefitters National Pension Fund, the Local Union Officers and Employees Pension Fund, and the General Officers and Employees Pension Fund.