IAMAW District 141 President Mike Klemm has tapped San Francisco Community Services Co-chair Noelle Sakamoto to be the new Coordinator for the EAP Northwest Region. She will be replacing Roberto Mendez, who recently retired. 

“I want to congratulate the District for appointing Noelle Sakamoto as the new EAP Regional Coordinator for the Northern California Region,” Mendez said of the announcement. “I know she will do a great job.”

Noelle’s career with United Airlines began in 1994 when she first started working in the Reservations center at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. Two and a half years later, she transferred to the Stores Department, where she became active in the IAMAW as a Union Steward.

Noelle grew familiar with the Local 1781 Steward Program over the next few years, becoming a vital and trusted voice for her coworkers in the process. After returning from Winpisinger Center Leadership training in 2018, Noelle helped rebuild the Local 1781 Women’s Committee as co-chair.

Noelle has spent years working to make union activism more accessible to front-line members. She has been involved in projects designed to get more of her coworkers involved and educated. For example, she served on a committee that designed commemorative jackets for members that attend six or more monthly Union Business Meetings in a year. She has also worked alongside a team of six members who organized a successful food distribution program for furloughed union members.

But, Noelle is probably best known in San Francisco for her dedicated and compassionate work with the Employee Assistance Program.

With the help and support of IAMAW District 141 Assistant General Chairs Troy Rivera and Olu Ajetomobi, Noelle was trained in her EAP role by Roberto Mendez, who she eventually replaced when he retired in July of 2020. Noelle was appointed the EAP Coordinator of Local 1781 in October before her new appointment to the District 141 Northwest Regional position in December.

In her new role, Noelle will be responsible for helping members in need to find competent, professional assistance as they face challenges related to their mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.

“I want to join EAP Director Bryan Hutchinson in welcoming Noelle to the position of Regional Coordinator,” said IAMAW District 141 President, Mike Klemm. “Her work over the years has set her apart as a committed and compassionate advocate for our membership. Her kindness, generosity, and unwavering spirit of activism are qualities that are needed now more than ever.”

The IAMAW District 141 Employee Assistance Program offers free and confidential help to union members seeking professional counseling and crisis intervention services. By partnering with hundreds of caring and trained professionals, the IAMAW District 141 EAP can quickly connect members to a wide range of mental health and wellbeing services. If you would like to learn more, please contact an EAP Representative at IAM141.org/141EAP.