Executive Director – SPEEA, IFPTE Local 2001

SPEEA names Ray Goforth as new executive director

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SEATTLE – The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), IFPTE Local 2001, has named Ray Goforth as the new executive director for the union of 24,050 aerospace professionals.

A resident of Auburn, Wash., Goforth was chosen after a six-month search that included applicants from across the nation. He was one of three finalists who spoke at a meeting of the 140-member SPEEA Council on Jan. 17. The Council appearance was followed by interviews on Friday (Jan. 18) with the seven-member SPEEA Executive Board. He starts at SPEEA in early February.

Goforth succeeds Charles Bofferding, who left the union in July 2007 after 16 years as SPEEA executive director.

As executive director, Goforth will provide day-to-day direction and management of the 33-employee staff while working with the Executive Board and Councils to implement policies and direction. Working at the union’s Tukwila headquarters, Goforth is also responsible for offices and employees in Everett, Wash. and Wichita, Kan.

“This organization has a talented and creative staff,” Goforth said. “It’s an honor to work with them.”
Goforth earned high praise and will be missed by his former co-workers. IFPTE Local 17 Executive Director Joe McGee said Goforth is a tough negotiator.

“We are losing one of our best but we are pleased to lose him to our sister local,” said McGee. “Ray (Goforth) has always amazed me about what he has accomplished. He will be a great success at SPEEA.”
Goforth, 39, wife Kim and their three children make their home in Auburn.

SPEEA represents 24,050 engineers, technical and professional employees at The Boeing Company, Spirit AeroSystems, BAE Systems and Triumph Composite Systems in Washington, Kansas, Oregon, California, Texas and Utah.

Executive Director Job Description - SPEEA, IFPTE Local 2001

The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) IFPTE Local 2001 AFL-CIO, CLC provides representation for 24,000 employees at Triumph Composite Systems in Washington, Spirit Aerosystems in Kansas, BAE Systems in Texas, and The Boeing Company in Washington, Kansas, Oregon, California, and Utah.  SPEEA is a strong, vibrant organization founded on member involvement, which works to improve our members’ futures.

We seek an Executive Director who will assure that SPEEA’s overall philosophy, mission, and goals are met or exceeded. The primary responsibility of the Executive Director is to provide day-to-day direction to a talented and highly professional administrative staff of a union representing engineers, scientists, technicians, and support staff in the aerospace industry.  It is imperative that the Executive Director be absolutely dedicated to workers’ rights, especially collective bargaining.

The Executive Director receives direction and authority from, and is responsible to, the union’s Executive Board, a body of officers elected by the membership.  The position of Executive Director and the organizational relationships are defined by the union’s governing documents as well as those of its affiliated organizations.

In addition, the Executive Director has collateral responsibilities to provide leadership to the staff, to exercise financial accountability, to promote a positive and professional image for the union, and to perform other duties as directed.

General Description

• Manage the staff of a Labor Union
• Report to and take direction from the Local’s Executive Board

Provides Leadership:

• Implement policies, directives, and vision of the organization
• Demonstrate dedication to workers’ rights and collective bargaining
• Work under the direction of the Executive Board and collaboratively with other elected officers
• Maintain effective communication with the Executive Board
• Provide strategic advice as requested by the Executive Board and other elected officers
• Provide recommendations regarding such things as negotiations, organizing, budget, and union solidarity

Direct Day-to-Day Staff activities:

• Direct and supervise daily staff and office operations
• Develop and implement strategies for staff utilization
• Ensure the development, training and maintenance of staff to support the Union’s mission and objectives
• Conducts performance management for staff
• Evaluates training requirements for staff
• Works with all staff unions and employees with personal services contracts
• Facilitates the operation of the Councils and their committees with impartiality when requested

 
Provide Financial Accountability:

• Submit a proposed staff budget for the upcoming fiscal year to the Executive Board
• Develop a sound fiscal practice to ensure responsible spending, to systematically reduce costs and improve performance
• Be cognizant of and adhere to all DOL and IRS reporting requirements

Promote Positive Public Image:

• Identify and recommend to the Board activities that improve SPEEA’s influence and reputation
• Maintain and cultivate the Union’s relationship with the industry, legislators, academia, regulators, media, strategic partners, and affiliated labor organizations
• Able to perform effectively as a spokesperson, as directed by the Executive Board and in coordination with the Communications Director
• Promotes professional image at all venues

Additional Responsibilities:

• Coordinate staff involvement and support strategies for collective bargaining
• Facilitate the administration and enforcement of collective bargaining agreements, Letters of Understanding and partnerships with the employers
• Help to develop, advise, and support the Union’s political and legislative programs
• Provide staff support for training and assistance for SPEEA elected officials/representatives in union representation functions