Local Executive Board
Our Mission:
The mission of the Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 555 Executive Board is to effectively represent and advocate for our members—Ramp, Operations, Provisioning, and Freight Agents at Southwest Airlines—by negotiating and enforcing fair contracts, ensuring workplace safety, and promoting equitable working conditions. We are committed to fostering unity, upholding the rights of our members, and enhancing their quality of life through dedicated leadership and collective action.
Current Positions:
- COPE Committee Liaison
- Safety and Health Committee Liaison
- Colorado State TWU International C.O.P.E. Conference Chair
- Hawaii State TWU International C.O.P.E. Conference Chair
Previous Positions:
- Investment Committee Member
- District 8 Representative (2016-2024)
- District 8 Alternate Representative
- Station Representative - DEN
- Alternate Station Representative - DEN
The President shall notify the Officers of all regular and special meetings of the Board. He/she shall be the authorized representative of the Local and shall select and supervise all committees and committee activities. The President shall also serve as the Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board.
The President shall insure that the Districts conduct business meetings as necessary. He/she shall, subject to the approval of the Board, appoint and remove, employ and discharge agents and Employees of the Local, other than duly elected Officers. He/she shall sign notes, checks, drafts, or bills of exchange; warrants or other orders for the payment of money duly drawn by the Treasurer; enforce the TWU Constitution and the Local's By-Laws; sign any agreement entered into between the Local and any other organization; carry out any other duties the Local may request; supervise the activities of the Local and shall render an Annual Report to the membership.
The President or the President's designee may arrange for an individual Member to be absent from her/his regular assigned work, at the expense of the Union, for the purpose of assisting the President in conducting the affairs of the Local Union.
The President shall be responsible for the staffing of the Local office. The Executive Board will approve all full-time staff.
Current Positions:
- Education Committee Liaison
Previous Positions:
- District 4 Representative (2016-2021)
- System Board Player
- Station Representative - MCI
- Safety Representative - MCI
- TWU International Constitutional Convention Delegate - 2021
I’ve told you before and I’ll tell you again.
The strong survive and the weak disappear.
We do not intend to disappear.
Jimmy Hoffa
The Vice Presidents shall assist the President in the discharge of his duties in such manner and extent as the President shall determine.
The 1st Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in the absence of the President. He/she shall also preside when called upon by the President and at times when the President may be temporarily unable to discharge his/her duties. In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, the Local Executive Board will designate the 1st Vice President to act as President for the unexpired term. In the event of a vacancy of 1st or 2nd Vice President, an election shall be held to fill the vacancy. If the un-expired term is eighteen (18) months or less, the office shall be filled by the Board.
It shall also be the duty of the Vice Presidents to inform the President of responsibilities under the TWU Constitution and the Local's By-laws.
Current Positions:
- Civil & Human Rights Committee Liaison
- Election Committee Liaison
Previous Positions:
- Station Representative - BNA
- Alternate Station Representative - BNA
- System Board Player
- Communications Coordinator
- Newsletter Editor
- Website Administrator
The Vice Presidents shall assist the President in the discharge of his duties in such manner and extent as the President shall determine.
The 1st Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in the absence of the President. He/she shall also preside when called upon by the President and at times when the President may be temporarily unable to discharge his/her duties. In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, the Local Executive Board will designate the 1st Vice President to act as President for the unexpired term. In the event of a vacancy of 1st or 2nd Vice President, an election shall be held to fill the vacancy. If the un-expired term is eighteen (18) months or less, the office shall be filled by the Board.
It shall also be the duty of the Vice Presidents to inform the President of responsibilities under the TWU Constitution and the Local's By-laws.
Current Positions:
- Investment Committee Chair
- Communications Committee Liaison
- Newsletter Editor
- TWU California State Conference Member
Previous Positions:
- Alternate Station Representative (Ramp, Ops, Provo) - SAN
- Safety Representative - SAN
- TWU International Constitutional Convention Delegate - 2017/2021
- Website Administrator
- Legislative Awareness Committee Member
- Education Committee Member
The Secretary-Treasurer shall receive all monies paid into the Local Union.
He/she shall keep records of the Local's finances pursuant to the rules and regulations established by the International Administrative Committee. He/she will be responsible for all financial books and records. He/she, will maintain all financial books and records for not less than five years, at the Local’s Headquarters. He/she shall report monthly to the Local Executive Board and to the International Secretary/Treasurer. He/she shall submit all records at least once a year to a Certified Public Accountant and will forward the name and address of the Certified Public Accountant who is to conduct the audit to the International. He/she or his/her successor will present this audit upon completion to the Local Executive Board and to the Membership.
The Secretary-Treasurer shall compile and file all financial reports as required by law and the Membership. He/she shall sign all financial instruments of the Local as required by these By-Laws. He/she shall prepare and submit under his/her signature all Federal and State reports required under law.
He/she shall perform all duties required by the Executive Board.
Current Positions:
- Working Women's Committee Liaison
Previous Positions:
- Future Leaders Organizing Committee Co-Chair
- System Board Player
- Station Representative - DAL
- Station Representative - SAT
- Alternate Station Representative - AUS
- Alternate Station Representative - LGA
The Recording Secretary shall take charge of all records of Membership and effects of the Local.
He/she shall keep a record of all proceedings at all regular and special meetings of the Board. He/she shall assist the President in preparing an Annual Report to the members of the Local. He/she shall cause to be kept the Local's Membership records so as to show at all times the number of Members, their names, their respective places of residence, and their post office addresses.
He/she shall represent the Local at all new hire orientation classes. Should there be a need, the President may approve a designee to represent the Local in the case the Recording Secretary is unable to.
ALB • BDL • BOS • BUF • BWI • DCA • IAD • ISP • LGA • MHT • PHL • PVD
Previous Positions:
- Alternate Station Representative - BWI (2023-2024)
- Station Representative - DCA (2015-2023)
- Station Representative - BWI
- Safety Representative - BWI
- Safety Representative - DCA
- System Board Player
I'm a native of Washington D.C. but was raised, educated and now live in the great state of Maryland. I cherish my family time as a proud husband, father, son, brother, and uncle. In my 25 year career with the Company it has been an honor to serve my other family, the sisters and brothers of this Local.
God, Family, Fellow TWU 555 Brothers and Sisters ..... My love for Them above all else!
It shall be the duty of the District Representatives to call and preside at any meetings of the District, to preserve order during its deliberation, to appoint all committees, not otherwise ordered by the district, to authorize expenditures of any budgeted funds and to administrate the Local’s domicile duties.
The District Representative shall reside in the district they are seeking election from and to reside in such district for the entirety of his term.
ECP • FLL • JAX • MCO • MIA • MSY • PBI • RSW • SRQ • TPA • VPS
Current Positions:
- Veterans Committee Liaison
Previous Positions:
- Alternate Station Representative (Ramp) - MCO
It shall be the duty of the District Representatives to call and preside at any meetings of the District, to preserve order during its deliberation, to appoint all committees, not otherwise ordered by the district, to authorize expenditures of any budgeted funds and to administrate the Local’s domicile duties.
The District Representative shall reside in the district they are seeking election from and to reside in such district for the entirety of his term.
BNA • CLE • CMH • CVG • DTW • MDW • MKE • ORD • PIT
Current Positions:
- Future Leaders Organizing Committee Liaison
Previous Positions:
- District 3 Alternate Representative
- Station Representative (Ramp) – MDW
- Alternate Station Representative (Ramp) - MDW
It shall be the duty of the District Representatives to call and preside at any meetings of the District, to preserve order during its deliberation, to appoint all committees, not otherwise ordered by the district, to authorize expenditures of any budgeted funds and to administrate the Local’s domicile duties.
The District Representative shall reside in the district they are seeking election from and to reside in such district for the entirety of his term.
ATL • CHS • GSP • IND • JAN • MEM • MYR • ORF • RDU • SDF • STL
Current Positions:
- Veterans Committee Liaison
Previous Positions:
- District 4 Alternate Representative
- Alternate Station Representative (Ramp) - ATL
My passion and desire to be a union advocate comes from always wanting to learn, teach and educate. A mentor of mine always told me to "Learn with the intent to teach." The more educated we are about the CBA the more powerful we are as a union. Knowledge isn't power, applied knowledge is the true power.
It shall be the duty of the District Representatives to call and preside at any meetings of the District, to preserve order during its deliberation, to appoint all committees, not otherwise ordered by the district, to authorize expenditures of any budgeted funds and to administrate the Local’s domicile duties.
The District Representative shall reside in the district they are seeking election from and to reside in such district for the entirety of his term.
AMA • BHM • CRP • DAL • HOU • HRL • IAH • LBB • MAF • SAT
Previous Positions:
- Alternate Station Representative - SAT (2022-2024)
- Station Representative - SAT (2020-2022)
- Alternate Station Representative - SAT (2015-2020)
- Alternate Station Representative - DEN (2010-2015)
- Station Safety Representative - DEN (2010-2015)
- System Board Player
My name is Mark Koudelka, your new District 5 Representative. A little bit about me, I was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas until I joined the United States Navy after high school serving in the Pacific Northwest. I lived in Colorado where I started my career with the Company in 2008 as a Ramp Agent and met my wife of 18 years. We now have two wonderful kids, aged 15 and 11 that keep us extremely busy. We enjoy traveling around the world any chance we get and while stateside you can find me playing golf, kayaking and spending time in the backyard with friends and family. It's been an honor to be an active Member of our Local for the past 16 years and look forward to representing the hard working Members of District 5!
It shall be the duty of the District Representatives to call and preside at any meetings of the District, to preserve order during its deliberation, to appoint all committees, not otherwise ordered by the district, to authorize expenditures of any budgeted funds and to administrate the Local’s domicile duties.
The District Representative shall reside in the district they are seeking election from and to reside in such district for the entirety of his term.
ABQ • AUS • ELP • OKC • PHX • SAN • SLC • TUL • TUS
Previous Positions:
- District 6 Alternate Representative
- Station Representative - PHX
I was hired by Southwest Airlines in 1994, as a PHX Ramp Agent. I have spent my entire career in the PHX station. Seven of these years were in the Provisioning Department, with the rest on the PHX Ramp.
On a personal note, during this time, I was married and had 4 daughters. My youngest daughter just graduated from High School in May 2023. My family and I still live in the PHX area and continue to enjoy our life in Arizona.
In February 2015, I was asked by Kevin Carney to be his Alternate District Representative, and I served as his Alternate for the remainder of Kevin's term. In May 2016, I was elected as the District VI Representative, and have served in this capacity since. I continue in my efforts to follow the example of my predecessor and continually learn and educate myself on the duties and responsibilities of being a District Representative. I have learned so much from Arbitration training, to the art of negotiations, to working and discussing grievances, to actually presenting and advocating for the Union in arbitration and System Board hearings. With all that I do, my goal is to always uphold the language of our contract and defend the rights of our members.
I have made some great friends during this time in office, and I could not do the job that I do without the support and help of the Local Union Representatives in the cities of District VI. I know I am speaking from a very biased position, but the membership of District VI collectively has awesome representation. There is so much knowledge and skill that the Local Reps have that have helped and served the membership during my entire time in office. I cannot stress enough the important role the Local Reps play, and they never get the full credit they deserve. They truly are the unsung heroes of our Local. The friendships and relationships that I have made with these Local Reps have/and will continue to be a highlight of my time in office.
It has been an honor to serve the membership in this role, and as long as I continue in this role, I will always do my very best and give the membership the best possible representation that I can.
It shall be the duty of the District Representatives to call and preside at any meetings of the District, to preserve order during its deliberation, to appoint all committees, not otherwise ordered by the district, to authorize expenditures of any budgeted funds and to administrate the Local’s domicile duties.
The District Representative shall reside in the district they are seeking election from and to reside in such district for the entirety of his term.
BUR • LAS • LAX • LGB • ONT • RNO • SFO • SNA
Previous Positions:
- Alternate Station Representative (Ramp) – LAX
- Station Safety Committee Chair – LAX
- Station Representative (Ramp) - LAX
It shall be the duty of the District Representatives to call and preside at any meetings of the District, to preserve order during its deliberation, to appoint all committees, not otherwise ordered by the district, to authorize expenditures of any budgeted funds and to administrate the Local’s domicile duties.
The District Representative shall reside in the district they are seeking election from and to reside in such district for the entirety of his term.
Previous Positions:
- Alternate District 8 Representative (2016-2024)
- Station Representative - DEN
- Alternate Station Representative - DEN
It shall be the duty of the District Representatives to call and preside at any meetings of the District, to preserve order during its deliberation, to appoint all committees, not otherwise ordered by the district, to authorize expenditures of any budgeted funds and to administrate the Local’s domicile duties.
The District Representative shall reside in the district they are seeking election from and to reside in such district for the entirety of his term.
Previous Positions:
- Station Representative - SMF
- Alternate Station Representative - SMF
- Alternate Station Representative - PDX
- Alternate Station Representative - OAK
I am De Mon Murphy, the newly elected District 9 Representative. I am deeply honored to represent our newest district as well as all of you across the system as a LEB Member.
With 18 years of experience and knowledge in addition to the passion I’ve felt for TWU Local 555 since I begun has been of the utmost importance to me. I believe my time as an Alternate Station Representative in OAK, PDX, and SMF and my multiple years as the Station Representative in SMF has benefited the Members and I hope to prove that to you, my sisters and brothers of District 9.
I pride myself on communication, education, and progressive ideas that I like to learn on from you all.
It shall be the duty of the District Representatives to call and preside at any meetings of the District, to preserve order during its deliberation, to appoint all committees, not otherwise ordered by the district, to authorize expenditures of any budgeted funds and to administrate the Local’s domicile duties.
The District Representative shall reside in the district they are seeking election from and to reside in such district for the entirety of his term.