IAM International President Brian Bryant announced on March 12 that Richard Evans, the current Veterans Services Coordinator, has been appointed Assistant Director of the IAM Retirees and Membership Assistance Department. The appointment is effective March 1, 2026.
Evans’ new role will involve helping to lead programs that support retired members, assist families facing hardship, and continue building the union’s veterans services initiative. This move highlights the union’s ongoing commitment to providing advocacy and resources for both veterans and retirees.
“As Assistant Director of the IAM Retirees and Membership Assistance Department, Evans will help lead the IAM’s programs that support retired members, assist IAM families facing hardship, and continue building the IAM’s nationally-recognized veterans services initiative,” said Bryant. “His appointment reflects our union’s strong commitment to provide veterans and retirees with the advocacy, resources, and respect they deserve.”
Jody Bennet, Resident General Vice President of IAM, said: “We are proud to say that in the IAM Union, we have one of the highest percentages of military veterans in the labor movement. Rich was a member and veteran who worked alongside fellow veterans and stepped up to help them with their claims after being exposed to the difficulties veterans face when trying to receive benefits. He brings a strong drive to everything in our union that could possibly affect veteran members, and he ensures that veterans remain a priority for us.”
Evans is a U.S. Navy veteran known for his work as an advocate for other veterans navigating the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits system. James Little, Director of Retirees and Membership Assistance at IAM, said: “He has become known and respected across the IAM for his achievements in advocating on behalf of IAM veterans and their families. I look forward to expanding and strengthening the resources and capabilities of all of our membership assistance programs with Rich in this role.” In his previous position as Veterans Services Coordinator, Evans helped secure more than $5 million in back pay for affiliated veterans through his work as a VA-accredited claims agent.
Evans also played a key role in making IAM the first labor union recognized by the VA as an official Veterans Service Organization—a milestone that expanded its ability to advocate for veterans nationwide.
Evans’ experience began with his own denied VA claim while working at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland; after successfully appealing it himself, he started assisting other members with their claims as well.
The appointment signals continued efforts by IAM to strengthen its support systems for both retirees and veteran members.
