RENEW's Annual Gala

Al Rispoli and his wife, Debra, have been married for 54 years. They have four children together. Their oldest Christian and his spouse Shelby have two children, Tanner and Samantha. Their second son Alphonse recently got engaged. Al and Debra have twin daughters: Gina and her husband Glenn, and Nina and her husband Matthew have two children, Alana and Dean. Al and Debra have been parishioners of St. Justin the Martyr Roman Catholic Church in Toms River for 48 years.

In 1972, while working as a warehouseman, Al became a shop steward and learned firsthand the importance of a union contract— that employers and employees have a mutual responsibility to provide a safe workplace, fair wages, and benefits for workers and their families.

In 1990, Al became a business agent for Teamsters Local 863. In 2003, he became the principal officer for the local as Secretary-Treasurer. In 2011, he was elected President of Teamster Joint Council 73 of New Jersey, representing 12 other locals with over 40,000 members in private- and public-sector businesses and industries.

Al is also a Vice-President of the New Jersey State Building and Construction Trade Council. Under Al’s leadership, the New Jersey Teamsters have continued to be very active in numerous charitable activities that benefit children and their families. These include an annual golf tournament to raise money for the Joint Council 73 college scholarship fund for the children of Teamster members, and an annual breakfast to raise money for the “Joseph Tramontana Scholarship Fund,” for the children of members of Teamster Local 863.

The Joint Council 73 Food Bank Corp. provides food for unemployed members. Each year, the Teamsters volunteer for the New Jersey Community Food Bank’s turkey drive. Al also serves as a board member for the annual Cardinal’s Business and Labor Reception which benefits the CYO/Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries in the Archdiocese of Newark.

Al and his executive board are also involved in volunteer work such as soup kitchens and food pantries.

“I believe that one must serve as Jesus did, especially in our communities,” he said. “It is our responsibility to provide our children with love and hope, which God gives us.”