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IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace, who has served in the position since October 2018, will retire on Nov. 1, 2023.
“Rickey has been a dedicated and effective leader for the IAM,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “He has grown the membership in the Southern Territory, including the recent organizing campaigns over the last few months totaling nearly 600 new Service Contract Act members. Rickey has stepped up wherever the membership needed his leadership. I am grateful for his friendship, and our union appreciates his dedication and lifetime of commitment. I wish him all the best in retirement.”
Wallace is a dedicated 46-year IAM member who has held a variety of positions in the IAM, including President of Local 1296, Business Representative of District 711, President of the Tennessee State Council of Machinists, President of the Southern States Conference of Machinists, and Delegate to the AFL-CIO National Convention.
In 2015 he was appointed to Grand Lodge Staff as Special Representative and Grand Lodge Representative. In January 2016, he joined the IAM Executive Council as Resident General Vice President and became IAM Southern Territory General Vice President in 2018.
Wallace also strongly advocates for workers’ rights and has served on the Workforce Development Board of Middle Tennessee and the Tennessee Labor-Management Center Executive Board. He is a current Trustee of the IAM National Pension Fund and the IAM National 401(k) Plan, where he actively represents the interests of IAM members.
IAM Southern Territory Chief of Staff Craig Martin will be Wallace’s successor.
“Craig has deep roots in the Southern Territory and has done a tremendous job as Chief of Staff of the Southern Territory,” said Martinez. “His experience as a dedicated trade unionist will continue the legacy in the Southern Territory. He will be able to build upon the legacy and foundation upon which our union was founded.”
Martin was initiated into the IAM as a machinist apprentice at PPG Industries in Lake Charles, La. in 1997. He quickly became involved in the union, and he has held almost every union position available during his career, including Shop Steward, Local Lodge Communicator, President, District 161 Financial Secretary, President of the Louisiana State Council of Machinists, and Executive Board Member of the Southwest Louisiana Central Trades and Labor Council. Craig served as the District Business Representative of District 161 for 10 years from 2008 until 2018.
Martin is a passionate advocate for workers’ rights. During his career, he has fought for fair wages, benefits, and working conditions for IAM members throughout the Southern Territory. He is also a strong supporter of IAM apprenticeship programs and workforce development. He has committed his entire career committed to improving the lives of our members and growing our Union.
