Tavon Wells is originally from Martinsville, Virginia. He has lived in the Asheville area since 2018. Tavon has worked for the United States Postal Service since April of 2018 as a proud city carrier.
He became a shop steward in the West Asheville station in 2022. He was elected Union President of Branch 248 in 2023. His vision is to bring transparency and education to as many members as possible.
He also serves as the Chief Steward of Asheville; serves on the election committee in the State Association; is a member of the Technology Integrated Alternate Route Evaluation Process (TIAREP); and also serves as the District 11 Congressional Liaison. He has been a proud union member since 2018.
Originally from Morganton, NC, I became a city carrier in the Marion, NC post office in March 1997. As a native of western NC, I am proud that our 5 adult children and 4 grandchildren have chosen to make it their home as well. Some of them even choosing the same employer. It is an honor to be serving my second term as Branch 248 V.P. Active in our branch from day one I was able to become a steward in 2000, eventually chief steward, formal A rep, NC State representative, and current V.P. of Branch 248. I have had many great mentors along the way that have shown me integrity, loyalty, and unity are what is most important in our great union. My greatest blessing in life has been our union. Because of the great NALC, I have always been able to provide life's necessities along with many extras. Because of this I feel I have a duty and responsibility to serve our members to the best of my ability.
Shawntane Duckworth was born in Brooklyn, NY. At a young age her family moved down to Asheville, NC
where she was raised. As a young adult Shawntane began a carrer in Hospitality Management where
she served 20+ years in various companies here in the Asheville area as well as a TASK FORCE team
where she would travel to help other struggling prorerties within her company. 20+ years in hotel managment.
In August of 2021 Shawntane left the Hospitalitly Industry and joined the United States Postal Service as
a City Carrier Assistant. Happy to meet new people and new connections, Shawntane did just that.
Shawntane quickly joined the UNION. Although her passion had always been in Management, the UNION offered so much more.
Shawntane became an active member immeditly. She began to take classes to educate herself and within 6 months she was appointed as the UNION STEWARD for London
Rd. Annex located in Asheville, NC.
Shawntane currently serves as Union Steward for her office as well as the Recording Secertary for
Barnch 248. Shawntane hopes to to grow her career within the UNION and make a differance to
everyone she serves.
Arkavia Smith was born and raised in Pontiac, MI. Upon graduating high school, she spent 4 years in the United States Air Force where she was a Security Police Specialist. After leaving the military she relocated to Western North Carolina, where she and her husband raised their 4 children. In 2011, Arkavia was licensed as a missionary through the Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Church Association. Her and her husband, Rick now resides in Spartanburg, SC, where they spend time spoiling their six grandchildren.
Arkavia has worked for United States Postal Service since 2012. She started out in the Brevard Post Office, then transferred to the Hendersonville Post Office in 2014. Growing up in "automotive county", she understood the importance of a strong union presence and also how they fought for it’s members. She quickly joined the NALC shortly after employment with the post office.
She has held several positions within Branch 248, starting as a trustee in 2018 and served on the by-laws change committee in 2019. She was elected as Recording Secretary in 2020, which she has been reelected for the past three years. Arkavia was appointed by Branch President Tavon Wells as Treasurer in 2023. In the past she has served as a shop steward in several offices throughout Branch 248.
Joseph was born in Omaha, Nebraska before moving to NC at an early age. A graduate of NC State University he went on to spend 13 years with the NC Park Service and the US Forest Service before finding his way to the USPS.
He is currently a Letter Carrier in Franklin, NC and resides in Highlands, NC with his wife and two sons on their farm. While a member of Branch 248 he has had the opportunity to serve as Steward, a member of the Election Committee, and most recently as the Letter Carrier Political Fund Representative.
I’m proud to serve as an officer in our branch. I began my career as a Letter Carrier and a union member with The Postal Service in 2017. From both a personal and a professional perspective our union has always done a tremendous job representing City Letter Carriers.
We all work very hard and it’s reassuring to have a such a strong community of support and passion within our membership. I encourage everyone to unite and be apart of our branch.
“They’ve got the guns but we’ve got the numbers”- Jim Morrison
Ken Hewlett is originally from Westminster, Colorado. Ken was in the Boy Scouts through High School
before joining the Marine Corps in 1996. In the Marine Corps his Military Occupation Specialty was 0131
Unit Diary Clerk. Ken attended boot camp in San Diego, California attended schooling in Camp Lejeune
North Carolina before being stationed at Camp Pendleton, California with 3 rd LAAD Battalion. In 1999
Ken received orders to transfer to Okinawa, Japan with Headquarters Company 12 th Marines, 3 rd Marine
Division where he finished his enlistment.
Ken worked for Nextel Communications after leaving the
Marine Corps. He worked as a finance manager for Excel Motorsports financing motorcycles and ATV’s
or a brief period. In 2006 Ken worked for Westwood College as a records advisor helping students work
through the process of enrolling in higher education. In 2016 Ken joined the Post Office as a CCA at the
North Pecos Station in Denver, Colorado. Ken worked and the North Pecos, Edgewater and Northview
Carrier Annex.
At the Northview Carrier Annex Ken was the alternate shop steward. In September 2020
Ken transferred to the London Road Annex as a Carrier Technician. While at London Road Ken served as
shop steward. In July 2023 Ken transferred to the West Asheville station where he also serves as Trustee
and EAP representative for NALC Branch 248.
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