Hoglander takes NMB's gavel for sixth time

The National Mediation Board (NMB) appointed Harry Hoglander chairman, effective July 1. He succeeds Linda Puchala, who will continue to serve as a board member.

An NMB member since August 2002, Hoglander previously was chairman in 2004-05, 2007-08, 2010-11, 2012-13 and 2014-15. The chair serves a one-year term running from July 1 in a given year to June 30 in the succeeding year.

Prior to joining the NMB, Hoglander was a legislative specialist in the office of former U.S. Rep. John Tierney (D-Mass.), where he was responsible for transportation issues impacting rail, aviation and maritime. Hoglander has extensive experience in aviation and labor relations, including stints as a captain for Trans World Airline, master chairman of that airline's executive council and executive vice president of the Air Line Pilots Association. He also was a pilot in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

The NMB is an independent federal agency that governs labor-management relations in the railroad and airline industries.