Nominated by President Barack Obama, Ms. Linda A. Puchala was confirmed as Member of the National Mediation Board by the United States Senate on May 21, 2009. She was sworn in on May 26, 2009, completing the term of her predecessor as Chairman through June 30, 2009. Ms. Puchala’s current term as Member runs through June 30, 2012.

Prior to becoming a Member, Ms. Puchala served as the Sr. Mediator (ADR) and the Associate Director of Alternative Dispute Resolution Services of the National Mediation Board. She joined the agency in May, 1999, as a Mediator working on both airline and railroad cases.

Member Puchala has 40 years of experience in Labor Relations, including work as International President of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO, and Staff Director, Michigan State Employees Association, AFSCME, AFL-CIO.

Ms. Puchala resides in Glen Burnie, Maryland, and holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Cleary University in Howell, Michigan. She has two daughters, Jennifer Puchala of Pasadena, MD and Jessica Puchala of Grand Rapids, MI.