(Source: National Mediation Board press release, July 1, 2016)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Mediation Board (NMB) is pleased to announce that Ms. Linda Puchala becomes Chairman of the National Mediation Board, effective July 1, 2016. Harry Hoglander and Nicholas Geale remain as Members of the Board.
Nominated by President Barack Obama, Ms. Puchala was confirmed as Member of the National Mediation Board by the United States Senate on May 21, 2009. She was sworn in on May 26, 2009, completing the term of her predecessor as Chairman through June 30, 2009. In August 2013, Ms. Puchala was again confirmed by the United States Senate after being nominated by President Obama. Ms. Puchala served as Chairman from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012 and from July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014.
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. Ms. Puchala’s 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.
Ms. Puchala resides in Glen Burnie, Md., and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Cleary University in Howell, Mich. She has two daughters, Jennifer Adams and Jessica Puchala.
The National Mediation Board is an independent Federal agency established by the Railway Labor Act, which governs labor-management relations within two key transportation sectors of the United States and U.S. territories: the railroads and airlines. The National Mediation Board is an independent Federal agency established by the Railway Labor Act, which governs labor-management relations within two key transportation sectors of the United States and U.S. territories: railroads and airlines.