 |
| Hasan Solomon |
IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger has announced that Assistant Legislative and Political Action Department Directors Hasan Solomon and Rick de la Fuente will lead the Legislative and Political Department as co-directors. Solomon will head the legislative duties of the department, which involves working to pass legislation on Capitol Hill and in state governments that benefits working families. De la Fuente will lead the department’s efforts to support the IAM’s allies in office and elect worker-friendly candidates to legislative positions.
“Hasan Solomon and Rick de la Fuente have years of experience working in legislative halls across the country on behalf of IAM members,” said Buffenbarger. “As co-directors, they will be able to enhance the department’s legislative and political roles to ensure what we achieve at the bargaining table isn’t undone by politicians in Washington, D.C., and across the nation.”
Solomon is regarded as one of the top labor lobbyists on Capitol Hill. Last year, he was named “Labor Leader of the Year” by the National Black State Legislators Association. In 2004, the Washington Bar Association made him their “Young Lawyer of the Year.” Maryland Governor-elect Martin O’Malley called on Solomon to chair his Labor, Licensing and Regulations transition team in 2004. He is a native Washingtonian.
 |
| Rick de la Fuente |
De la Fuente, an IAMAW member for 34 years and an assistant political legislative director at the Grand Lodge for 12 years, sits on the executive boards for the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Union Veterans Council. In 2003, he was commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel by Gov. Paul E. Patton. By trade, he’s a licensed air frame and power plant aircraft mechanic. De la Fuente is a member of District 837 Local B and has held positions ranging from shop steward to business representative. He’s a veteran and is married with two children and three grandchildren.
Current Legislative Director Matt McKinnon is returning to the Western Territory as a Grand Lodge Representative.
“Matt has done a terrific job as legislative director,” said Buffenbarger. “He has led the department through some of the toughest legislative battles in our union’s history and he deserves all of our thanks for doing a terrific job.”
