Volume 8, Issue 1 Spring 2011 NRLN Members Advocate Retiree Issues to Lawmakers In the midst of the startup of the 112th Congress, a The conference included retirees from Aetna, Alcatel- cadre of retirees from across the nation visited their U.S. Lucent, AT&T/Ameritech/SBC, AT&T, Boeing, Chrysler, Senators and Representatives and their staff Delta Air Lines, Detroit Edison, Eastman Kodak, General members in Washington, DC on Jan. 19, 2011. The Motors, Pacific Bell and Qwest Communications. Their visits to more than 50 lawmakers' offices on Capitol states included Arizona, , , Hill were part of the Annual Leadership Conference for , Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, the National Retiree Legislative Network (NRLN) Jan. 17 Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, - 19, 2011 attended by 45 leaders and members , Tennessee, Texas, , Vermont, representing a dozen retiree associations from 20 Washington and Wisconsin. states. Board of Directors Business NRLN retiree association leaders and NRLN Grassroots The first afternoon of the conference was devoted to the Network members advocated the NRLN's top 2011 NRLN's Board of Directors meeting which was open to legislative initiatives and told lawmakers they must all conferees. NRLN President Bill Kadereit gave a protect Social Security and Medicare. Legislative presentation on the NRLN's 2011 goals. He said there priorities communicated include:  Pension asset protection to prevent companies from using pension fund dollars for non-pension expenses.  Corporate bankruptcy law reforms to gain fairer treatment of retirees in bankruptcy court proceedings.  Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation rule changes to benefit retirees whose pension plans are taken over by the PBGC, plus the protection of pensions in mergers and acquisitions. NRLN President Bill Kadereit conducts Board meeting with conferees  Initiatives to generate savings on prescription drugs. participating  Advocate the NRLN's Maintenance of Cost will be a focus on presenting the NRLN's whitepapers on Protection (MCP) proposal that would establish a top initiatives to members of the most important fixed monthly payment to retirees equivalent to the committees and subcommittees with jurisdiction over value an employer provided prior to the reduction or retirement issues in the House and Senate. (NRLN cancellation of retirement benefits. whitepapers can be read on the NRLN website at http:// www.nrln.org/_pvtflyin.html.)  Immediately address the access and affordability of health care coverage for retirees ages 55 to 64 by Kadereit emphasized that support will be needed from allowing them to buy into Medicare at a cost that NRLN Grassroots Network members to stress the does not burden the Medicare system. importance of the NRLN's legislative proposals to Representatives and Senators. (Read Kadereit's Clarion Congress should extend protection against  Call column on this issue for more details.) catastrophic medical costs to the Medicare population by setting a reasonable maximum limit on out-of-pocket costs. (Continued on page 2) page 2 Spring 2011

(Continued from page 1) NRLN Members Advocate to meet with members of Congress and staffers in their Retiree Issues to Lawmakers home states and districts. Grassroots Network members who have been active with sending emails to their Grow Grassroots Network elected representatives and would like to serve in a Growing the NRLN's Grassroots Network, Kadereit said, leadership role should send an email to Martina at is a top goal for the year. Kadereit and Joe Dombrowski, [email protected] . NRLN Vice President – Memberships, described plans to Second Day of Conference recruit additional retiree associations to affiliate with the NRLN and gain additional individual sign-ups in the The second day, with all conferees in NRLN Grassroots Network database. attendance, included NRLN business, a guest speaker from Capitol Hill and briefing sessions on the NRLN's "We need our current Grassroots Network members to 2011 Legislative Agenda. encourage their family members, friends and neighbors to become individual members of the NRLN," Kadereit In his opening remarks, Kadereit said, "There has been a said. "Ask them what company they retired from and retreat from the moral and ethical high ground needed to whether they have a retiree club or association. Provide keep promises made to retirees, including baby boomers the NRLN this information along with who to contact so who are joining a segment of our economy labeled as we can follow up to either recruit the retiree club or “legacy costs.” He noted, "America's retired engineers, association or explore the formation of a retiree accountants, personnel staff and the managers and association to affiliate with the NRLN." occupational non-union as well as former union retirees must be able to see that Congress is creating public (Individuals can sign-up as NRLN Grassroots Network policy that restores high moral and ethical principles. members through the "Email Sign-Up" link at the top of the NRLN website at www.nrln.org . Send information Kadereit presented a slide that showed excerpts from a about recruiting a retiree association to Nov. 11, 2010 New York Times article about the book, [email protected] or call the NRLN toll free to 1- "Winner Take-All Politics: How Washington made the 866-360-7197.) Rich Richer and Turned Its Back on the Middle Class." The Times reported the authors said that “politics is Kadereit said that the NRLN intends to do some test largely about organized combat. It’s a form of warfare. marketing with mailing lists in areas with high retiree It’s a contest between those who are organized, who can populations to determine whether additional Grassroots monitor what government is doing in a very complicated Network members can be gained. world and bring pressure effectively to bear on Regulatory Affairs Committee politicians. Voters in that kind of system are at a disadvantage when there aren’t reliable, organized Kadereit described to the group the work that is being groups representing them that have clout and can done by the recently formed Regulatory Affairs effectively communicate to them what is going on.” Committee (RAC) chaired by Stan Hurst, a retired Chrysler corporate attorney. The purpose of the Kadereit noted that it is the role of the NRLN to committee is to continuously monitor rules promulgated communicate to its members what Congress and federal by federal administrative agencies charged with agencies are doing that impacts retirement security and enforcing legislation and to file comments if rules will have the clout to motivate politicians to pass legislation substantially impact retirees. The RAC will also monitor to protect the interests of retirees. Congressional activity to spot possible issues in NRLN Washington, DC Team proposed bills before they surface. Marta Bascom, NRLN Executive Director, made a Other Presentations to Board presentation on her views of the present climate on NRLN Treasurer Bob Tompkins presented the 2010 Capitol Hill following the Republicans gaining the Financials and 2011 Budget that was approved by the majority in the House and winning additional seats in the NRLN Board. Senate. She said both chambers are expected to focus on reducing the national debt and rebuilding the Ed Beltram, NRLN Vice President – Communications economy. presented data that a total of 1.8 million messages were delivered to NRLN Grassroots Network members in "The NRLN's legislative proposals on Pension Asset 2010. He reported that Grassroots Network members Protection, certain PBGC rule changes, bankruptcy sent 96,454 emails to members of Congress in 2010. reform, protecting retirees in mergers, acquisitions and Beltram also presented key results from the 2010 NRLN spinoffs and reducing prescription drug costs through Future Directions Survey. such means as prescription drug importation are revenue neutral," Bascom said. "We hope this will be a Bob Martina, NRLN Vice President – Grassroots positive as we work to get bills or amendments Networks made presentations to the Board and on the introduced on these issues." second day of the conference about the need to identify additional Grassroots Network state and district leaders. Bascom noted that the NRLN will be proactive to gain He emphasized the need for Grassroots Network leaders (Continued on page 3) page 3 Spring 2011

(Continued from page 2) NRLN Members Advocate Two 90-minute Retiree Issues to Lawmakers "breakout sessions" traction on other retirement security issues if bills are were devoted to a introduced that present opportunities. "Of course, we will dialogue with be vigilant against anything negative happening to Social conferees about the Security and Medicare," she said. Chris Dyrda leads a discussion with conferees NRLN's top Michael Calabrese, NRLN Legislation Adviser who is on the NRLN's income protection initiatives legislative initiatives researching and writing an NRLN whitepaper on and how to protecting American retirees' interests in mergers, communicate them in meetings on Capitol Hill. The acquisitions and spinoffs, discussed what the PBGC is conferees where split into two groups. Chris Dyrda, an doing to better protect retirees and future retirees when a NRLN Director, moderated discussions with each group company experiences major changes. He said that on the NRLN's income protection initiatives. Joe while the NRLN PBGC whitepaper proposes several Dombrowski, NRLN Vice President – Memberships, major changes to ERISA and PBGC rules, moderated improvements have been made. Calabrese cited the discussions with case when a company reduces 20 percent or more of its each group on the active employees, the PBGC forces the company to NRLN's healthcare "fund up" in an escrow account enough to cover the initiatives. They pensions of the laid off employees. also coordinated scheduled Capitol According to Calabrese, the PBGC is intervening in Hill appointments corporate bankruptcy court proceedings in an effort to to facilitate Joe Dombrowski leads a discussion with convince the court force companies to place more assets maximum conferees on the NRLN's health care initiatives into distressed pension plans. He also noted that the participation in the PBGC through its "Early Warning Program" is monitoring meetings. about 1,000 pension plans that may be at risk. Onward to Capitol Hill Counsel to Senate HELP Committee On the third day conferees The guest met with lawmakers and their speaker was staffs to present the NRLN's Michael P. legislative proposals. Kreps, who Rep. Marsh Blackburn (TN-07) and Sean McLean, Legislative Meetings were with members serves as the Assistant, (center) meet with of Congress and/or staffs who Pensions Ralph Montileone, GM Retirees were elected from states/ Counsel to the Association Board Member districts spread from the east Senate coast to the west coast Committee on and from border to border. Michael P. Kreps, Pension Counsel to the Senate Health, HELP Committee, has a dialogue with conferees Education & Judy Stenberg, NRLN Vice Pensions President – Legislative (HELP). He is highly knowledgeable on employee Affairs, said, "The more than 50 meetings on benefits law and advises HELP Committee Chairman Rep. Gary Peters (MI-09) (in center) Capitol Hill are valuable for Tom Harkin and other committee members on ERISA meets with National Chrysler and retirement issues. Kreps is a key committee staff Retirement Organization leaders (left both the information we member for the Senate committee with regard to the to right) Brian Haw, Chris Dyrda, Mike provided and the NRLN's legislative initiatives for Pension Asset Ciipponeri and John Glotzbach acquaintances we make Protection and for reforming the PBGC's rules to gain with either our elected fairer treatment of retirees when the PBGC takes over a representatives or pension plan. their staff members. Our goal is follow-up Kreps said that both parties in this session of Congress in the future when we will be placing strong emphasis on austerity and cutting need their support for the nation's budget deficit. "New spending is off the sponsoring a bill, table," he said. He expressed his belief that there will be casting a vote for an a push by Congress to change the governance of the issue important to (left to right) Judy Stenberg, President of PBGC to provide more oversight, including possibly retirees or voting Pension Equity Council in AUSWR, Joe adding a retiree to the governing board through a against legislation Dombrowski, President of Lucent Retirees presidential appointment. harmful to retirees." Organization, Bill Kadereit, NRLN President, meet with Bobby Cornett, Legislative Breakout Sessions on Initiatives Director to Rep. Trent Franks (AZ-02) page 4 Spring 2011 have the opportunity to discuss directly with Wisconsin and Vermont Grassroots Congressman Ryan the benefits retirees have lost Leaders Carry NRLN's Messages to and the need to protect retirement promises. NRLN President Bill Kadereit and Executive Director Marta Capitol Hill Bascom accompanied the two Wisconsin residents to Service of three NRLN Grassroots Network leaders in the meetings with Congressman Ryan and Senator their states resulted in their coming to Washington, Kohl's staff members. DC for the NRLN's Annual Leadership Conference and "We urged Congressman Ryan to stop companies meetings on Capitol Hill. Bob Wincek and Bill from raiding pension funds for early retirement Simmons from Wisconsin and Russ Bowen from bonuses and prevent the further erosion of pension Vermont carried the NRLN's top legislative initiatives plans" Simmons said. "We pointed out that retirees messages into the offices of influential need to be protected in corporate bankruptcy courts. Representatives and Senators. "We made Congressman Ryan aware of the Wincek, an devastating effect on retirees of the loss of pensions AT&T and benefits," Wincek said. "With less money to Ameritech/SBC spend, retirees are not in a position to help the Retirees nation's economic recovery." member, and Simmons, a Wincek noted that the Congressman is committed to General Motors work on reducing the cost of prescription drugs. Retiree In the meeting with staff members for Senator Kohl, Rep. Paul Ryan (MN-01) (right) meets with Association Wincek and Simmons discussed in detail the NRLN's Wisconsin constituents Bill Simmons, GM member, used proposals for reforming PBGC rules and corporate Retirees Association member, (center) and Bob their status as bankruptcy reform laws plus the need for protecting Wincek, AT&T Ameritech/SBC Retirees constituents of pension plan assets and lowering the cost of member Wisconsin's 1st prescription drugs. Will Buergey, President of the Congressional Delta Air Lines Pilots (DP-3) organization, joined the District to gain a face-to-face meeting with Rep. Paul meeting and pointed out the harm that has been Ryan. Congressman Ryan is the new Chairman of done to the retirement income of Delta pilots by the the House Budget Committee and a senior member PBGC's rules for the calculation of benefits. of the House Ways and Means Committee, a committee with jurisdiction over a number of the Bowmen covered the NRLN's top legislative NRLN's legislative proposals. initiatives with the staff members for Senators Leahy and Sanders and Rep. Welch. Congressman Ryan delivered on Jan. 25th the official Republican response to President Obama's State of "In my meeting with the Union address. He has sparked conversations Congressman Welch's about taking on entitlement programs such as Social legislative assistant, I Security and Medicare. asked her 'if a former employer cut off your Wincek and Simmons also met with staff members parent's pension and for Wisconsin Senator Herb Kohl, Chairman of the health care payments, Senate's Special Committee on Aging and a member how would their lives of the Senate Judiciary Committee, where the NRLN be affected?' This took is advocating corporate bankruptcy reforms for the the message closer to fairer treatment of retirees. home. She took notes Bowen, an Aetna Retirees Association member, had when I mentioned that meetings with staff members for Vermont Senator many retirees who lose Patrick Leahy, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary their pensions and Committee, and Vermont Senator Bernard Sanders, a health care have to member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and seek Vermont state Pensions Committee. Both committees are important services which puts an for a number of the NRLN's top legislative initiatives. additional burden on He also met with a staff member for Vermont's At- our state's health care Large Representative Peter Welch. systems. I think she Stopping in front of the U.S. Capitol could see that this "We invited Bob, Bill and Russ to be the NRLN's Building are (left to right) Bill would not be a guests in Washington, DC because we needed a Simmons, Bob Wincek, Bill Kadereit good reflection on 'back home connection' to these influential members and Marta Bascom. what the of Congress," said Bob Martina, NRLN Vice President Congressional – Grassroots Networks. "I knew they had been delegation is doing to help constituents." active in responding to NRLN Action Alerts and had an understanding of the NRLN's Legislative Agenda. "Bob, Bill and Russ said they were pleased with the After meeting them for the first time at our opportunity to communicate the NRLN's legislative conference, I was impressed with their eagerness to initiatives to the Congressional offices and have be advocates on Capitol Hill for the NRLN's volunteered to help the NRLN in any way they can legislative priorities." in the future," Martina said. "We need more Grassroots Network leaders with their high level of Simmons and Wincek said they were pleased to commitment." page 5 Spring 2011

tab. Or, the office of your elected representative The NRLN Clarion Call … may be listed in your phone book. Make Politics Local on Retirement Security To prepare for your meetings, I'd suggest that you By Bill Kadereit, NRLN President read and print a copy of the two-page NRLN 2011 Thomas Phillip "Tip" O'Neill, Jr., Legislative Agenda – Top Initiatives Summary. Go who served in the U.S. House of to www.nrln.org and click on the "Legislative Representatives from Agenda" link at the top of the NRLN home page and Massachusetts for 34 years and select "Top Initiatives" when the drop down menu was Speaker from 1977 until his opens. In this menu there is also the option to retirement in 1987, coined the access the NRLN whitepapers. I urge you to at phrase "All politics is local." It least read the Executive Summary of each of the captures the principle that a seven whitepapers. politician's success is directly tied Take the two-page Top Initiatives Summary to your to his or her ability to understand meeting and use it as your guide to inform your and act on constituents' concerns. The NRLN's member of Congress or his staff about what is Grassroots Network is based on this premise. important to retirees and ask their support for It is you—a member of the NRLN Grassroots legislation on these issues. Leave a copy of the Network—that the NRLN depends on for the local Summary at the office. connections to support the leadership of the NRLN While contacts with all members of Congress are Board and the efforts of the NRLN volunteers and important, it is critical that we communicate staff to advance legislation to protect retirement through emails, phone calls and face-to-face security. meetings with the members of the Committees and When you respond to an NRLN Action Alert and Subcommittees that have jurisdiction over send an email and/or make a phone call to your retirement issues. We think that the leadership Representative and Senator, you are exercising positions on these key committees are fairly well your special status as a constituent. Some elected set for this session of Congress. However, the representatives are better than others at providing leaders of a number of subcommittees could still a specific response to messages from "folks back change or have not yet been determined. In the home." I recognize that some members of Senate, the chair is a Democrat and the Ranking Congress may not respond to your message or may Member is a Republican. In the House, the reverse send a "canned" reply. However, we know that is the case. essentially all Congressional offices record in some The key committees and subcommittees that mainly manner their constituents' views on issues. deal with retirement issues are: We want to encourage all of our Grassroots Senate Committees, Subcommittees and Special Network members to step up their communications Committee: with members of Congress and their staffs through face-to-face meetings in their state/district offices. Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Individuals who have attended the NRLN's Pensions (HELP) – Chair, Senator Tom Harkin (D- Washington, D.C. January Leadership Conference IA); Ranking Member Senator Michael Enzi (R-WY). and September Fly-In have found it relatively easy Subcommittee on Retirement and Aging – to get an appointment with a staff member, if not Chair, Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD); the lawmaker. A number of Grassroots Network Ranking Member, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC). members have found the same to be true at the Committee on Finance – Chair, Senator Max Baucus local level. (D-MT); Ranking Member, Senator Charles Grassley I urge you to call the offices nearest you for your (R-IA). Representative and Senators and request a Subcommittee on Health Care – Chair, Senator meeting with your elected representative. If an John D. Rockefeller, IV (D-WV); Ranking appointment can't be arranged with the lawmaker, Member, Senator Orrin Hatch (D-UT). do the next best thing and schedule a meeting with a staff member. The locations of state/district Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions and offices and phone numbers can be found on the Family Policy – Chair, Not Yet Announced; NRLN website. Go to www.nrln.org and click on Ranking Member, Not Yet Announced. the "Contacts" link, then select from the drop down menu the "contact elected officials" option. Enter either the Representative's or Senator's last name or your zip code and click "Go." Then click on the full name that appears and select the "Contact" (Continued on page 6) page 6 Spring 2011 (Continued from page 5) The NRLN Clarion Call … A View From Washington Committee on the Judiciary – Chair, Senator By Marta Bascom, NRLN Executive Director Patrick Leahy (D-VT); Ranking Member, Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) Testing The Strength Of Our Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight and Convictions the Courts – Chair, Senator Sheldon Congress and President Obama in his Whitehouse (D-RI); Ranking Member, Senator State of the Union address have drawn Jeff Sessions (R-AL) the parameters by which all legislation Special Committee on Aging – Chair, Senator Herb and regulatory activity would be Kohl (D-WI); Ranking Member, Bob Corker (R-TN). measured, that is, laws and regulations House Committees and Subcommittees: should be budget-neutral so that nothing adds to the Committee on Ways and Means – Chair, Rep. Dave federal deficit. So here’s the test our government must Camp (R-MI-04); Ranking Member, Rep. Sander pass to prove to retirees that they are willing to address Levin (D-MI-12). their needs in earnest: Will they place in effect laws Subcommittee on Health – Chair, Rep. Wally and regulations that do not impact the federal budget Herger (R-CA-02); Ranking Member, Rep. Pete but will have a true positive effect on the retirees’ Stark (D-CA-13) financial security? Subcommittee on Social Security – Chair, Rep. This is the time for Congress and the Administration to Sam Johnson (R-TX-03); Ranking Member, Rep. show the strength of their convictions, and retirees Xavier Becerra (D-CA-31). must help them find this strength (or their convictions) if Committee on Education and the Workforce – it has been misplaced somewhere. Chair, Rep. John Kline (R-MN-02); Ranking Member, The NRLN has several proposals which would not have Rep. George Miller (D-CA-07). an impact on the federal budget but have met with Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor resistance from Congress in the past. For example, a and Pensions – Chair, Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN-01); requirement that pension assets must be funded at 120% Ranking Member, Rep. Robert Andrews (D-NJ- or greater before companies can use assets for 01). purposes such as severance packages and other Committee on Energy & Commerce – Chair, Rep. corporate restructuring costs would not impact the Fred Upton (R-MI-06); Ranking Member, Rep. Henry federal budget. To be sure, the adoption of this Waxman (D-CA-30). provision would leave pension assets in a much Subcommittee on Health – Chair, Rep. Joe Pitt stronger position to withstand downturns in the stock (R-PA-16); Ranking Member, Rep. Frank market and leave plan participants far less vulnerable Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06). than they currently are now. In many corridors on Committee on the Judiciary – Chair, Rep. Lamar Capitol Hill this NRLN proposal has been met with Smith (R-TX-21); Ranking Member, Rep. John positive support, but it has fallen short of being enacted Conyers, Jr. (D-MI-14). into law due to fear of special interests. Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial and It is not uncommon for it to take many sessions of Administrative Law – Chair, Rep. Howard Coble Congress for most legislative endeavors to succeed. (R-NC-06); Ranking Member, Rep. Steve Cohen The House is governed by the majority party, and the (D-TN-09). Senate is engineered to be a very deliberate body so All members of the committees and subcommittees that laws can’t be enacted too quickly (or often) and can be found on www.senate.gov or gives deference to the minority party. So it was www.house.gov. Whether or not your established by our founding fathers. What our founders Representative or Senators are on a key committee also instituted was a major role to be played by the or subcommittee, I hope you will participate in the NRLN's efforts to make your retirement more people in petitioning their government. Thanks to secure through making politics local. Every modern technology, this role can be played easily by member of Congress, whether or not on a key everyone all over the country. This is the strength of Committee or Subcommittee, is lobbied to support grassroots organizations, and this is where the strength our retiree agenda. of our convictions is tested. Retirees have told the NRLN that they believe that (Continued on page 7) page 7 Spring 2011

(Continued from page 6) A View From Washington University and has a Masters in Executive Management from St. John's University. He has also attended the Middle protecting pension assets is extremely important to Eastern Studies Masters Degree program at Columbia their financial security, and rightly so. Your retirement University. planning was based on the trust you placed in pension Stan Hurst, a National Chrysler plan administrators and regulators to keep your pension Retirement Organization Leadership Team safe. That is your conviction. Now, let’s put that Member, was elected to the new position of NRLN Vice President – Regulatory Affairs. conviction to the test. The NRLN Regulatory Affairs Committee's The power of grassroots organizations is in exerting task is to keep a watchful eye on federal constant pressure on your elected officials to do the will agencies', corporate associations, unions and other interested organizations' deliberations of their constituents. Constant is the operative word and comment on federal government filings that could here - making them know that you’re always watching affect retirees. their action - or inaction - and want responses to your Hurst, who lives in Michigan, is a graduate of the Harvard specific questions and requests. Law School. During his career with Chrysler he served for 18 NRLN members have been very smart about years in the Legal Department. He also held positions as communicating with their members of Congress in the Director of National Dealer Placement, Director of district, state and in Washington, D.C. Overcoming (Continued on page 8) any discomfort over advocating for themselves, NRLN retirees have distinguished themselves in respectfully National Retiree Legislative Network, Inc. and professionally advocating for what they believe is The NRLN is the only nationwide organization solely right for retirees, understanding that if they don’t make dedicated to representing the interests of retirees and their voices heard, no one else will beat back the efforts future retirees. Our mission is to secure federal legislation of special interests to eat their lunch, dinner, and to protect retirees’ employer-sponsored pensions and prescription medication. benefits plus keep Social Security and Medicare strong.

The NRLN grassroots network has been phenomenal. President Our opponents have made this observation and are Bill Kadereit –[email protected] stepping up their efforts. So, too, must retirees. The Vice President - Secretary/Treasurer key here is constant communication and relationship- Robert Tompkins – [email protected] building with members of Congress and their staff. It Vice President - Legislative Affairs takes a little bit of time but it works. Retirees make up Judy Stenberg –[email protected] an enormous voting block in this country. We need to Vice President - Regulatory Affairs Stan Hurst – [email protected] put our elected officials to the test, but we need to test Vice President - Grassroots Network the strength of our convictions as well. Bob Martina – [email protected] Vice President - Membership Joe Dombrowski – [email protected]

NRLN Board Member Elections Two new members have been elected to the NRLN Board of Board Members Directors and a new Vice President – Legislative Affairs has Jane Banfield – [email protected] been named, plus three individuals have been re-elected to Will Buergey – [email protected] the Board. John Christie – [email protected] Joseph Dombrowski, President of the Joseph R. (Dick) Ciocca – [email protected] Lucent Retirees Association, is the new NRLN Chris Dyrda – [email protected] Vice President – Membership. He will work Chuck Gilbert – [email protected] on recruiting more retiree associations and Ralph Maly – [email protected] growing the number of NRLN Individual Mary Ann Neuman – [email protected] Members. Ray Sternot – [email protected] Dombrowski, an Arizona resident, began his 34-year career at Bell Laboratories in 1967 in Whippany, NJ. NRLN Headquarters A number of his tours of duty with AT&T International and 601 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Lucent Technologies were in Iran, Egypt, Greece, Japan, Suite 900, South Building Saudi Arabia and Ireland. He retired in 2001 from his last Washington, D.C. 20004-2601 position in Ireland as the Chief Operating Officer of the Tel: 202-220-3172 or 1-866-360-7197 Business Partners Division. Website: http://www.NRLN.org Dombrowski holds a BS Degree from Fairleigh Dickinson © Copyright 2001-2008 NRLN. All Rights Reserved page 8 Spring 2011

(Continued from page 7) NRLN Board Member Elections Will Buergey, Chairman of the Delta Pilots Pension Preservation Organization Marketing Investment Development and Director of (DP3) representing retired Delta Air Lines Franchise Legislation. pilots, was re-elected to the Board. He is a Judy Stenberg was named from within retired Boeing 777 international captain the Board as NRLN Vice President – and former chairman of the Air Line Pilots Legislative Affairs, replacing Bob Foresta Association at Delta Air Lines and past who retired from the Board. Stenberg, chairman of the Sky Team Pilot Alliance. who lives in Washington state, is President Buergey lives in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and is of the Oregon/Washington Pension Equity involved in environmental issues, as the founder and past Council affiliated with the Association of US president of a non-profit corporation raising money to stop WEST Retirees and is an AUSWR Board the spread of invasive plant species in the beautiful Member. PEC was founded in 1995 and Stenberg became Northwoods (and lakes) of Michigan. President in 2004. She joined the AUSWR Board at that Chuck Gilbert, President of the TelCo time. Retirees Association composed of Pacific Stenberg retired from U S WEST/Qwest after 30 years of Bell/Nevada Bell retirees, was re-elected service. At retirement she was an Information Technology to the Board. During his 29-years of Project Manager. She holds a BS Degree in Pre-law and has service to AT&T, AT&T Long Lines and a Graduate Certificate from Willamette Law School in Pacific Bell, his tours of duty included Alternative Dispute Resolution. training, accounting, marketing and PacBell's General Representative to the Bob Tompkins was re-elected to the California Public Utilities Commission. Board as NRLN Vice President – Secretary/ Treasurer. He is in his second term as Gilbert, who lives in southern California, has been an President of the Detroit Edison Alliance of entrepreneur as President of Diversified Legal Services/ Retirees and also starting a second term as CopyPro, Inc.; President of IHC Integrative Health Care, Inc.; an NRLN officer. owner of Assured Medical Staffing, Inc.; owner of The Abbey Home Décor; Partner in Gilbert Properties, and Partner in A Michigan resident, he worked for Detroit IPC, Inc. Investments. Edison (DTE) for over 25 years in various leadership roles that included administration, purchasing, Gilbert is an avid bicycle racer and in the 2006 RAAM Race information services and support to engineering. Tompkins Across America his 8-man team set a new time record for has also owned a tax preparation firm for the last 36 years. age group 65+ going from Oceanside, CA to Atlantic City, NJ in 7 days, 8 hours and 36 minutes.

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