(The National Mediation Board issued the following on August 17, 2009.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Mediation Board (NMB) is pleased to announce that Denise Hedges has been selected as the Senior Mediator (ADR), replacing Linda Puchala, who is now a Member of the Board.
As Senior Mediator (ADR) effective August 17, 2009, Ms. Hedges will direct the Board’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) training programs; develop and maintain the training curriculum; deliver training to interested parties; and conduct facilitation and grievance mediation. Denise will also serve in this position as Associate Director of ADR Services, assisting Director Daniel Rainey and supervising ADR staff. Additionally, she will remain active as a mediator in airline and railroad cases.
Ms. Hedges
Denise joined the agency in May, 2000, as a Mediator. In that capacity she handled both airline and railroad cases, and conducted Interest Based Bargaining (IBB), Facilitative Problem Solving (FPS), and Grievance Mediation training and facilitation.
Prior to joining the Board, she had over 30 years of experience in the airline industry with 25 years of Labor Relations experience including 8 years as President of a major airline union.
Ms. Hedges earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern Methodist University, and she has post graduate training in negotiation, grievance and arbitration, alternative dispute resolution, grievance mediation, facilitation, and online dispute resolution.
The NMB
The National Mediation Board (NMB) is an independent federal agency, established by the 1934 amendments to the Railway Labor Act (RLA). The Agency’s integrated dispute-resolution processes for labor-management relations enable the National Mediation Board to meet its statutory mandate to minimize work stoppages in the railroad and airline industries.