IAM Assistant Communications Director Donna Georgallas will retire on January 1, 2017, following 46 years of dedicated service to the IAM and its membership. Communications Specialist Jonathan Battaglia will become the department’s next assistant director, announced IAM International President Bob Martinez.
In 1970, five years after emigrating from her native Cyprus, Georgallas came to work at the IAM’s former headquarters in Washington, DC. She began her career as a senior stenographer in the Education Department, before taking on roles of growing scope in Organizing, the International President’s Office and finally Communications.
Georgallas worked under some of the IAM’s most influential leaders, including General Vice Presidents George Poulin and Larry Downing, as well as International Presidents William W. Winpisinger, George Kourpias and Tom Buffenbarger.
“Donna is a veritable encyclopedia of our union’s history and operations,” said Martinez. “Her good spirit, kindness and tireless work ethic will be missed at all levels of the IAM. At so many of our union’s most important moments, it was Donna working behind the scenes who made things go off without a hitch. We wish her and her family all the best as she enters into a well-deserved retirement.”
Battaglia initiated into the IAM in March 2013 as a Communications Representative. He is involved in an array of the department’s functions, including helping to manage the IAM’s award-winning e-newsletter, iMail, and social media accounts. Battaglia is an executive vice president of the International Labor Communications Association and holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of South Carolina.
“I’m happy to welcome Jonathan onto the communication’s leadership team,” said Martinez. “Alongside the first-rate talent in our communication’s department, he will help the IAM continue its commitment to inspiring and informing our membership, and all working people, in new and innovative ways.”
Based at IAM Headquarters in Upper Marlboro, MD, the IAM Communications Department publishes the IAM Journal, the bi-weekly iMail newswire and provides content for the union’s website, goIAM.org. The Communications Department also conducts classes at the Winpisinger Center and is the source for Machinists News Network videos.
The post Donna Georgallas to Retire After Storied IAM Career appeared first on IAMAW.