(Source: National Mediation Board press release, August 5, 2013)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Mediation Board (NMB) is pleased to announce that on August 1, 2013, Mr. Nicholas Christopher Geale was confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as the third Board Member of the National Mediation Board for a term expiring July 1, 2016. Incumbent Member and Chairman, Linda Puchala, was also re-confirmed for a term expiring July 1, 2015, and Member Harry Hoglander was re-confirmed for a term expiring July 1, 2014.
Member Geale
Mr. Geale was nominated by President Barack Obama, on January 24, 2013. Upon joining the National Mediation Board, he will be filling a seat on the Board vacated by Elizabeth Dougherty, who resigned from the NMB on June 2, 2012
He is currently the Director of Oversight and Investigations for Ranking Member Lamar Alexander on the U. S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. His primary responsibilities include investigating waste, fraud and abuse in government programs, and he works with agency Inspectors General and the Government Accountability Office in that capacity. He also evaluates and advises the Committee on Presidential nominees and assists the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions policy teams in evaluating government programs.
Before becoming Director of Oversight, Mr. Geale served as Oversight and Investigations Counsel on the Committee for two years for Ranking Member Michael B. Enzi. Prior to joining the HELP Committee, he was first an Attorney/ Advisor to the Solicitor and then the Counselor to the Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Labor under the leadership of Secretary Elaine L. Chao. In both those roles, Mr. Geale assisted the Department in implementing policies regarding over 180 laws under its jurisdiction and managing the Department’s 15,000 employees.
Prior to federal service, Mr. Geale had six years of experience in labor and employment matters, general commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution in private and public practice, including serving as Assistant General Counsel for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. He graduated from Georgetown Law in 1999 and Claremont McKenna College in 1996.
Chairman Puchal
Ms. Puchala is currently serving as Chairman of the Board for a second time. Nominated by President Barack Obama, Chairman Puchala was first confirmed as Member of the National Mediation Board by the United States Senate on May 21, 2009. She was sworn into office on May 26, 2009. She has previously served as Chairman from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.
Prior to becoming a Member, Ms. Puchala served 10 years at the National Mediation Board as a Mediator, Sr. Mediator (ADR) and the Associate Director of Alternative Dispute Resolution Services. Her prior labor relations experience includes work as International President of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO and Staff Director, Michigan State Employees Association, AFSCME, AFL-CIO.
Member Hoglander
This is Mr. Hoglander’s fourth term as Member of the Board. He was first confirmed as member of the NMB by the United States Senate on August 1, 2002, reconfirmed for a second term on December 8, 2006, and a third term on July 24, 2009. He has served four times as Chairman of the Board, most recently from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013.
Prior to joining the Board, Mr. Hoglander served as a Legislative Specialist in the office of Congressman John Tierney of Massachusetts with responsibilities in Transportation issues including aviation, rail and maritime, Labor, Defense and Veterans Affairs.
Member Hoglander has an extensive background in the aviation industry and labor relations, having flown as a Captain for Trans World Airline (TWA) and been elected Master Chairman of TWA’s Master Executive Council. He was also elected Executive Vice-President of the Air Line Pilots Association. After leaving TWA, Mr. Hoglander was named Aviation Labor Representative to the United States Bi-Lateral Negotiating Team by then Secretary of State James Baker.
Mr. Hoglander was also a pilot in the United States Air Force, retiring with the rank of Lt. Colonel. He graduated from Suffolk University Law School and is a member of the Florida Bar.
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 effect its statutory mandate to minimize work stoppages in the railroad and airline industries
For further information, please refer to the agency’s website at www.nmb.gov.