The IAM is bidding farewell to IAM Midwest Territory Chief of Staff Rick Mickschl, who has announced his retirement. IAM International President Brian Bryant has announced the appointment of Terry Kimmel as the Territory’s incoming Chief of Staff. Both moves are effective Jan. 1, 2025.
Mickschl had served as Directing Business Representative of IAM District 66 in La Crosse, Wis., since 2005 before joining the Territory’s staff as a Grand Lodge Representative in 2012.
Mickschl, a second-generation member of IAM Local 21, initiated into the IAM in 1980 as a machinist and millwright. In addition to serving as a Local Steward, Job Rating Committee Chairman, Local President, and District Delegate, he also served over 15 years as a labor representative on the Workforce Connections Board of Directors of Western Wisconsin and as a board member of the Great Rivers United Way.
In 2021, Mickschl graduated from the State University of New York’s Empire State College with a bachelor’s degree in labor studies.
“Rick’s vast union experience in organizing, bargaining, and service has been extremely beneficial to our union and members,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “He is a trusted, respected, detail-oriented and extremely knowledgeable leader to our members and staff. Rick has been an excellent representation of our union and our mission.”
IAM Midwest Territory Grand Lodge Representative Terry Kimmel will step into the role of Chief of Staff.
Kimmel comes from Automobile Mechanics’ Local 701, where he was a member for 38 years and became Business Representative in 2012. He had previously worked for UPS for 22 years and served as Chief Steward and a delegate for contract negotiations.
Kimmel spent a year as a Trustee on the Local 701 Executive Board, has been active with the Guide Dogs of America | Tender Loving Canines for over 20 years, and completed many programs at the IAM’s Winpisinger Center, including organizing, collective bargaining, arbitration, negotiations, and Employee Assistance Program training.
“The wealth of knowledge and dedication that Terry brings with him into this role goes unmatched,” said Cicinelli. “Terry has proved over and over that he knows how to represent the IAM Midwest Territory membership. I value his loyalty to our union and his conviction to continuously learn and do right by the membership. He is a valuable asset and I am excited to see his leadership help develop our Territory and staff so that we can continue to grow and improve.”
Kimmel also served as a delegate to the Chicago Federation of Labor, trustee to the Elgin Council of Trades, delegate to the Illinois State Council of Machinists, delegate to the Machinists Non-Partisan Political League (MNPL) Planning Committee, and delegate to the 2012, 2016 and 2022 IAM Grand Lodge Conventions.
The post IAM Thanks Rick Mickschl for Career of Service, Welcomes Terry Kimmel as Midwest Territory Chief of Staff appeared first on IAMAW.