Sisters and Brothers:
District 142 held its first convention since 2019 at the Planet Hollywood Resort in Las Vegas from March 17 to 20, 2025. President/Directing General Chair John M. Coveny, Jr. welcomed 129 delegates from across the district.
The convention was called to order on Tuesday, March 18, by Local 845 President Daria Kemp. Following a safety briefing by District 142 Senior Director of Safety Brian Szolodko, Teresa Blevins, representing Guide Dogs of America, took the stage with her guide dog, Delilah, to sing the National Anthem. Daria Kemp returned to lead the delegates in the Pledge of Allegiance. Afterward, Local 1782 delegate Guy Johnson gave the invocation, and Local 2202 delegate Andrea Mondoy-Honaker read the IAM Code of Conduct. District 142 Senior General Chair Bill Wise introduced PDGC Coveny and presented him with the ceremonial gavel.
PDGC Coveny, Secretary-Treasurer Joe Shultz, Legislative Director Sean Holland, and Director of Organizing Zachary Coker delivered reports from their respective departments during the convention. Guest speakers included IAM International President Brian Bryant, General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes, Air Transport General Vice President Richie Johnsen, Airline Coordinator Tom Regan, Guide Dogs of America President Tony Blevins, National Group Protection Co-CEO Paul Raymond, National Political and Legislative Director Hasan Solomon, Assistant Organizing Director Juan Eldridge, and Danny Schwarz from Schwarz & Schwarz P.C.
A Q&A session on the Railway Labor Act was conducted alongside the guest speakers, featuring PDGC Coveny, Air Transport International Representative Sean Ryan, and Air Transport Coordinator James Carlson.
Delegates elected new auditors as their first order of business. As the week progressed, the delegates voted to approve thirty-seven bylaw proposals. During daily breakout sessions, the delegates brainstormed ideas and recommendations for official committee reports, which were presented on the last day of the convention. The committees that submitted reports included Bylaws, Credentials, Legislative, Organizing, Safety, EAP, Women’s, Human Rights, Education, Communication, Young Machinists, Community Service/GDA, and Veterans. The recommendations from all committees will be studied thoroughly and considered for adoption as we plan the future of our District.
The District 142 Executive Board and staff thank all our delegates for your engagement and attention during the convention. Without your involvement, the important work for our members could not continue. You have set the course for the district’s direction for the next four years. We would also like to thank Planet Hollywood Resort’s event and catering staff and the audio-visual team at Encore Productions for helping to make our event comfortable and productive and providing us with the tools and resources necessary to ensure the convention’s success.
We would also like to thank our convention planning committee, which worked tirelessly over the past year to organize and execute our first convention in six years. A special thank you goes to District 141 President/Directing General Chair Mike Klemm for graciously providing us with his expert planning team, who guided us throughout the process.
Sincerely and fraternally,
John M. Coveny, Jr.
President/Directing General Chair
