Engineering union names Goforth its executive director

The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), IFPTE Local 2001, has named Ray Goforth as the new executive director for the union of 24,050 aerospace professionals.

A union representative and strategic adviser at Local 17 of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) in Seattle, Goforth was the unanimous choice of the SPEEA executive board.

“We are very pleased to have Ray Goforth as our new executive director,” said SPEEA president Cynthia Cole. “It’s a new day and a new start at SPEEA.”

An experienced negotiator, Goforth is a graduate of the University of Washington Law School and received a bachelor’s degree in political economy from The Evergreen State College.

“It is very exciting to have the opportunity to serve as SPEEA’s executive director,” said Goforth. “The members have a number of important tasks facing them this year and I look forward to helping them meet those challenges.”

A resident of Auburn, Wash., Goforth was chosen after a six-month search that included applicants from across the nation. He was one of three finalists who spoke at a meeting of the 140-member SPEEA Council on January 17. The council appearance was followed by interviews on January 18 with the seven-member SPEEA Executive Board. He starts at SPEEA in early February.

Goforth succeeds Charles Bofferding, who left the union in July 2007 after 16 years as SPEEA executive director.

As executive director, Goforth will provide day-to-day direction and management of the 33-employee staff while working with the executive board and councils to implement policies and direction. Working at the union’s Tukwila headquarters, Goforth is also responsible for offices and employees in Everett, Wash., and Wichita, Kan.

“This organization has a talented and creative staff,” Goforth said. “It’s an honor to work with them.”

Goforth earned high praise and will be missed by his former co-workers. IFPTE Local 17 executive director Joe McGee said Goforth is a tough negotiator.

“We are losing one of our best but we are pleased to lose him to our sister local,” said McGee. “Ray (Goforth) has always amazed me about what he has accomplished. He will be a great success at SPEEA.”

SPEEA represents 24,050 engineers, technical and professional employees at The Boeing Company, Spirit AeroSystems, BAE Systems and Triumph Composite Systems in Washington, Kansas, Oregon, California, Texas and Utah.