IAM International President R. Thomas Buffenbarger announced two key staff changes. Effective July 1, 2009, Eastern Territory Administrative Assistant Dale Hartford will work with Guide Dogs of America (GDA) and become GDA director upon the retirement of current Director Jay Bormann. Grand Lodge Representative Bryan Bryant will be the new Eastern Territory Administrative Assistant.
Hartford, a former marine engineer, joined IAM Local 1828 in 1982 after going to work for the S.D. Warren Paper Company in Skowhegan, ME, as a Millwright – Welder. He was the Directing Business Representative for District 99 when he joined the Eastern Territory staff as a Special Representative in 1986. He has served as the Eastern Territory Administrative Assistant since 2004.
Bryant joined Local Lodge S6 in 1989 as an employee of Bath Iron Works in Bath, ME. Bryant was Directing Business Representative of District Lodge 4 when he joined the Eastern Territory staff as a Special Representative in 2004.
“Congratulations to Brothers Hartford and Bryant. They’re great trade unionists and will greatly help the IAM meet the challenges ahead as we fight to rebuild the North American economy,” said IAM President Tom Buffenbarger. “And without a doubt, Jay Bormann has done a tremendous job at Guide Dogs of America to improve the lives of blind and visually-impaired men and women in the United States and Canada.”
