Internal NFFE News
August 28, 2025
The National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) is proud to announce Warner “Andy” Vanderheuel has been named National Organizing Director. Current President of the NFFE Forest Service Council, Andy is an experienced organizer and brings a wealth of professional federal sector organizing knowledge and ability to the position.
In June, NFFE announced the National Organizing Director vacancy and accepted applications for one month. In the last few weeks, multiple candidates interviewed for the position. Early this week, Vanderheuel was offered the National Organizing Director position, which he accepted. He will begin his assignment with NFFE starting September 22, 2025.
Vanderheuel started his service for the federal government in California as a 1039 temporary wildland firefighter in 2002 before becoming a permanent employee with the U.S. Forest Service in Michigan. He graduated in Academy 27 from the Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program, working in Montana, Wyoming, and Alaska before serving in his first engine captain role on the Juneau Ranger District on the Tongass National Forest. He returned to Michigan to be closer to family, where he served as an engine captain for 12 years. Currently, Vanderheuel is an Assistant Fire Management Officer, a position he has held for over two years.
In early 2014, Andy joined the union as a member of NFFE Local 2086 and rose through the ranks as a steward, VP, and President. When he took over as President, the union had less than 30 members, but Andy grew the local to over 100 members while also organizing a new unit. He served as a GVP for the Forest Service Council starting in 2021 before being elected as Council President at last year’s NFFE National Convention.
Andy has been very active on Capitol Hill, attending numerous NFFE Legislative Weeks over the years and stewarding dozens of Forest Service employees in meetings with Congress. He has formed close relationships with lawmakers in his state and those who represent constituents working for the Forest Service.
“I am excited to announce Andy as NFFE’s next National Organizing Director,” said NFFE National President Randy Erwin. “Not only has he been instrumental in growing his local and the union’s overall Forest Service membership, but he has also been a key player in NFFE’s success advocating for reforms for federal wildland firefighters with Congress and agency leadership. I am confident Andy will be able to continue and build upon the incredible growth NFFE has achieved in recent years.”
“I am very much looking forward to joining the NFFE staff full time,” said Vanderheuel. “We have had a lot of success organizing in the Forest Service over the past several years that has also given me the opportunity to work closely with both NFFE headquarters and field staff. I already feel like part of the family, but I am ready to make it official and hit the ground running.”