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IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. has appointed Tony Blevins, a Special Assistant to the International President, to serve as Assistant Director of Guide Dogs of America | Tender Loving Canines. The appointment is effective Nov. 1, 2023.
Throughout his career, Blevins has made GDA | TLC, the IAM’s favorite charity, a central part of his professional and personal life. His tie was strengthened when his wife, Teresa, herself a GDA | TLC volunteer, lost her vision and has since relied on GDA | TLC guide dogs.
“Tony and the Blevins family live and breath the IAM and Guide Dogs of America,” said Martinez. “This is a perfect fit that will continue to move the IAM’s favorite charity into the future.”
Blevins, a U.S. Marine Corps Enlisted and U.S. Army Officer veteran, is a 38-year IAM member who began his union career as an active member of IAM Local 2003 at Fort Rucker in Alabama where he served as the Local Lodge 2003 President of his 5,000-member lodge. He would go on to serve as District Lodge 75 Business Representative, Southern Territory Grand Lodge Representative and Aerospace Coordinator before being appointed Special Assistant to the International President.
“I couldn’t be more excited to take my passion for Guide Dogs of America and the IAM to the next level,” said Blevins. “I look forward to working with Russ and the GDA | TLC team to continue to change lives with these amazing dogs.”
“We’re thrilled to welcome Tony to our leadership team,” said GDA | TLC President and Director Russ Gittlen. “Together with Tony and everyone at GDA | TLC, we look forward to continuing to strengthen our mission to transform lives through partnerships with service dogs.”
