Transitions: The New Leadership


A tribute to a great labor leader, IAM General Vice President George Hooper.


Farewell to Don Wharton, the IAM's former General Secretary retires with full honors.

The new leadership, the IAM welcomes a news general secretary-treasurer and three new general vice presidents.

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Bob Martinez, show here at a staff meeting took over the reins of the Southern Territory after the tragic death of GVP George Hooper.

In the entrance of IAM headquarters, a plaque from the building’s dedication lists the names of the Executive Council: George Kourpias, Tom Ducy, John Peterpaul, Merle Pryor, Larry Downing, Justin Ostro, Val Bourgeois, Ed House, George Poulin, Don Wharton, Tom Buffenbarger.

In a dozen years, virtually the entire Executive Council has changed.
 
With the retirements of Secretary-Treasurer Don Wharton and Midwest Territory GVP Alex Bay, and the tragic death of Southern Territory GVP George Hooper, a vibrant new leadership is emerging. New names . . . Lynn Tucker, Bob Martinez, Jim Brown will be chiseled into the IAM’s history.

 “Change is inevitable. But in the IAM we have a solid pool of talent with which to fill leadership positions,” said IP Tom Buffenbarger. “We can call on dedicated, hard-working professionals from within the membership. So, the Executive Council will continue to perform its responsibilities in a professional and effective manner.”

Warren L. Mart is a lifelong Machinist with the experience and credentials to take over for retired General Secretary-Treasurer Don Wharton. As the GVP of the Eastern Territory, Warren earned a reputation for organizing hundreds of large and small bargaining units.

"The future of any organization lies in its ability to grow," said Mart. "We've got to be diverse enough to attract new members in traditional sectors, and nimble enough to recognize opportunities in developing industries." As the union's chief financial officer, Mart oversees the operation of nearly 1,300 local and district lodges across North America.

"The Machinists have a reputation for running a tight and smart financial ship," said Mart. "In spite of the challenges we're facing today, I intend to protect that reputation at all costs."
Lynn D. Tucker, Jr. took over as Eastern Territory GVP on August 1, 2003 as Warren Mart became the IAM’s new General Secretary-Treasurer.

Tucker began his IAM career in 1976 working for Miller Brewery, in Fulton, New York. He has held a variety of elected offices including steward, senior steward, and local lodge vice president and president. Tucker served as Vice President of the New York State Council of Machinists and was active in the Oswego, New York Labor Council and the Greater Syracuse, New York Labor Council.

He also served as Director of the United Way in Fulton, New York, and was President of the Industrial Relations Research Association, Central New York Chapter, Syracuse, New York, and a,member of both CLUW and the NAACP.

 In 1986, Tucker was elected to serve as business representative in District 137, Watertown, New York.  Appointed as Special Representative for the Eastern Territory in 1989, he advanced to the position of Grand Lodge Representative in 1991. In 1992, then General Vice President George J. Poulin selected Tucker to serve as his administrative assistant. After Poulin’s retirement in 1997, newly elected GVP Warren Mart selected him as his administrative assistant.

Tucker said he sees tough times ahead for working people and the IAM:
“We have some major work ahead, but this union hasn’t survived for 115 years by sitting on its duff. We’re up to the challenges we have to face, and we intend to be around at least another 115 years.
 

Bob Martinez assumed the office of Southern Territory GVP on August 1, 2003.

Martinez joined the IAM in 1980 with Local Lodge 776A in Fort Worth, Texas as an aircraft assembler. He served on many committees and held various positions in his local lodge throughout his employment at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics’ Fort Worth Division.

In 1994, Martinez was assigned to the International Chemical Workers Union Center for Worker Safety and Health Education in Cincinnati, Ohio to serve as the liaison to this Federal Consortium of Education, and  then, in 1995 he joined the IAM’s Safety and Health Department as a Project Coordinator for the Corporation for Re-Employment and Safety Training (IAM CREST) and for the Center for Administering Rehabilitation and Employment Services (IAM CARES). Martinez proved an effective administrator.

In 1999, Martinez became the Southern Territory Education Representative. In April 2002, he was re-assigned as a special representative.

”I am going to build upon George Hooper’s legacy,“ said Martinez. “The Southern Territory will continue to support for the membership, serve to the community, and fight for what’s right.”

 

Jim Brown, journeyman machinist, 40-year IAM member, and administrative assistant to GVP Alex M. Bay, will head up the Midwest Territory beginning December 1, 2003.

Brown, initiated into Local Lodge 41, St. Louis, Missouri, in 1963 started out as an apprentice machinist for Continental Can where he worked until 1977 when he went to work for Anheuser Busch.

His union career spanned more than three decades:  District 9 Organizer in 1978; Business Representative in 1979; Assistant Directing Business Representative in 1989, Directing Business Representative since 1996. IAM Committee on Law in 1996 and 2000. President of the IAM Tool & Die Conference since 1985; currently, President of the Missouri State Council of Machinists, and Executive Board Member of the Missouri State AFL-CIO.

“I know what it’s like on the factory floor,” said Brown. “It’s hard work. The members we represent deserve a union that works hard as well. I look forward to meeting the challenges of serving the membership.”