Office of the International President

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Providing the many services that keep the IAM a leader among North American trade unions requires the coordinated efforts of many people at all levels of the union. The International President, with the assistance of the General Vice President of Headquarters and the Executive Assistant, administers more than 15 departments at IAM Headquarters that provide crucial services to support the union's mission to better the lives of IAM members and working families throughout North America.

Meet the International President's Department Staff

R. Thomas Buffenbarger

R. Thomas Buffenbarger is the 13th International President since the founding of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) in 1888.

The son of an IAM member, Tom Buffenbarger assumed his first IAM leadership post in 1970, at age 20, when he was elected Shop Steward of his apprenticeship group at General Electric Jet Engines, IAM LL912, Evendale, Ohio.

Richard P. Michalski

Richard Michalski In 1968, Rich was initiated into IAM Local Lodge 1916 and worked as a welder at General Electric in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He held several positions in his local lodge, including steward, chairman of the bargaining committee, and president.

Diane Babineaux is the Executive Assistant to the International President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM). In this post, which is the highest appointed position in the union, she is responsible for various headquarters administrative duties, including assisting the International President by researching economic and political trends impacting working families and international activities involving trade union secretariats with which the IAM is affiliated.