IAM International President Brian Bryant announced on Mar. 12 the appointment of Teressa Peart as a Special Representative in the IAM Retirees and Membership Assistance Department, effective April 1. Peart, a longtime union leader and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, will focus on veterans’ claims and disaster relief efforts for IAM members and their families.
Bryant said, “We’re proud to add Teressa to our Retirees and Membership Assistance team. Teressa has proven herself to be a fierce advocate for IAM members and veterans, and our union is fortunate to bring her on in this official capacity. Her skillset and story are both unique and unmatched. We are excited to grow our Veterans Services initiatives with the addition of her knowledge and expertise.”
James Little, Director of the IAM Retirees and Membership Assistance Department, said, “Teressa has played a critical role in advancing our IAM veterans support initiatives across the union. In her new position, Teressa will help IAM veterans navigate the complex VA claims process that she is an expert in, develop strategies to grow the program, and coordinate support when natural disasters impact IAM communities.“
Peart began her career with the International Association of Machinists (IAM) in 1998 at Local 733 (now Local 774) at Beech Aircraft as a radio and electrical engineer. She follows a family tradition of union service—her mother, grandfather, and grandmother were all IAM members within District 70.
Her leadership roles have included shop steward, trustee, secretary-treasurer at various levels within her local union, as well as Secretary-Treasurer of District 70 for six years. She currently chairs the IAM Veterans Services Steering Committee (VSSC), leads annual community events honoring military service such as Flags of Freedom with United Way of the Plains, mentors women through the Leadership Excellence Assembly of Dedicated Sisters (LEADS) program, and was elected by membership to serve on the International’s Law Committee in 2025.
Peart’s appointment reflects ongoing efforts by IAM to strengthen support for its retirees and veteran members while encouraging leadership development among women within its ranks.
