Veterans Coordinator Rich Evans Appointed Assistant Director of Retirees and Membership Assistance Department

IAM International President Brian Bryant has appointed history-making IAM Veterans Services Coordinator Richard Evans as Assistant Director of the IAM Retirees and Membership Assistance Department, effective March 1, 2026.

"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 IAM International President Brian Bryant. "His appointment reflects our union's strong commitment to provide veterans and retirees with the advocacy, resources, and respect they deserve."

"We are proud to say that in the IAM Union, we have one of the highest percentages of military veterans in the labor movement," said IAM Resident General Vice President Jody Bennet. "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 who built his reputation as a relentless fighter seeking justice for veterans in the complicated and changing U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits and claims system.

"He has become known and respected across the IAM for his achievements in advocating on behalf of IAM veterans and their families," said IAM Retirees and Membership Assistance Director James Little. "I look forward to expanding and strengthening the resources and capabilities of all of our membership assistance programs with Rich in this role."

Through his work as an VA-accredited claims agent for the IAM, Evans secured more than $5 million in back pay for IAM-affiliated veterans, ensuring members receive the benefits they earned through their service.

READ: IAM Veterans Services Program Continues to Deliver Life-Changing Earned Benefits to Members and Families

Evans is also the driving force behind the IAM becoming the first labor union recognized by the VA as an official Veterans Service Organization, a milestone that significantly expands the union's ability to advocate for veterans nationwide.

READ: IAM Reaches Historic Milestone for Veterans, Becomes First Labor Union Recognized as VSO

Evans' path to becoming one of the IAM's most effective advocates for veterans began with his own experience navigating the VA benefits claims system. While working at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland and having his own VA claim denied, Evans appealed the decision and began educating himself on the complex claims process.

What started as a personal effort quickly grew into a mission to help others. After successfully resolving his own claim, Evans began assisting fellow IAM members at NAS Patuxent River with applying for and appealing decisions on their own VA claims.

READ: Evans Appointed IAM Veterans Services Coordinator

In his prior position as Veterans Services Coordinator, Evans helped IAM veterans and their relatives apply for and secure benefits through the VA, including disability compensation, education benefits, employment resources, home loans, life insurance, pensions, health care, and burial benefits.