(Source: National Mediation Board press release, July 1, 2011)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Mediation Board (NMB) is pleased to announce that Ms. Linda Puchala has been selected a second time as Chairman of the National Mediation Board, effective July 1, 2011. Elizabeth Dougherty and Harry Hoglander remain as Members of the Board.
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.
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. Her current term as Member runs through June 30, 2012.
Prior to becoming a Member, Ms. Puchala served as the Sr. Mediator (ADR) and the Associate Director of Alternative Dispute Resolution Services of the National Mediation Board. She joined the agency in May, 1999, as a Mediator working on both airline and railroad cases.
Member Puchala has 40 years of experience in Labor Relations, including 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, Maryland, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Cleary University in Howell, Michigan. She has two daughters, Jennifer Adams of Pasadena, MD and Jessica Puchala of Grand Rapids, MI.