1. I believe that a BOD members fiduciary responsibility is to the members and what they see is a path on any issue, much like a corporate board member’s responsibility to shareholders and not the institution. Were that the case, a corporation that is being acquired could never do so as it would cease to exist. If the shareholders so desired a change, it is my responsibility to facilitate that change on their behalf in their best interests.

2. I think the industry has seen the advances made by the ALPA carriers with recent contracts. It is clear as the industry leaders that they have resources to allow for effective strategic planning and the execution of those plans to the benefit of their members. We would be remiss not to present our pilots with the opportunity to decide to merge our collective bargaining agents and not stop it at a BOD level. I do believe it is the member’s decision to make.

Will you commit to a pilot vote on an APA-ALPA merger agreement in 2023?
Yes. While I would like to see the output from the merger committee before making a full commitment, I cannot envision any case where I would not allow the vote to get to the membership. The membership must be educated on the pros and cons of a merger before a vote is taken.

APA BOD representatives routinely state they represent their members and are fiduciaries to APA. Which is the priority when these statements conflict?
The financial interests of APA are ultimately the financial interests of the membership. I see the two interests as being aligned. In the rare circumstance when the two are not aligned, I would need to evaluate the full implications of such a decision. After educating myself on the matter, I'd explain my views to the membership. I'd solicit feedback before making a final decision. In all cases though, it is my view that the INSTITUTION of APA only exists to serve the PILOTS of APA.

1) I would let this go to the pilots to vote on. I believe this decision is bigger than just me or the BOD to make this choice.

2) If elected, I represent the members. The members are the union.

1. I will unequivocally commit to a pilot vote on an APA/ALPA merger agreement when possible. This type of issue is too important in the lives of the pilot group to leave in the hands of a few.

2. I don't believe those two statements should ever conflict. The fundamental fiduciary responsibility is to the membership, as the bureaucracy of APA does not exist without the membership.

Will you commit to a pilot vote on an APA-ALPA merger agreement in 2023?
Yes, as long as there are no significantly problematic areas that would harm APA pilots discovered by the APA-ALPA Merger committee.

APA BOD representatives routinely state they represent their members and are fiduciaries to APA. Which is the priority when these statements conflict?

As a APA board representative you are elected by pilots, that being said, your number one duty is represent your pilot interests. I'll take it one step further: pilots elect their representative to be fiducially responsible. That makes these two governing philosophies inherently interwoven. A split in the two is problematic and should never be the case.

Chicago is comprised of almost 1,000 pilots and over 15,000 at American Airlines. Each and every vote counts! Therefore, every pilot should have a say in which association they prefer representing them.

As a Domicile Representative, you have a fiduciary responsibility not only to your base pilots but also to the entire membership of the association. Collectively, the Board of Directors should strengthen the profession and individual rights for American Airlines pilots!

In a word, yes. I believe the pilots must be permitted their say on this topic.

APA is an institution of the members, by the members, and for the members. Domicile representatives, in their role as BOD members, have a duty to represent the interests of not only the pilots at the domicile they are elected to serve, but _all_ APA pilots. They are not elected to serve the institution of APA, such as it is, but they are charged with being responsible stewards of member dues. While my primary duty is to the membership and its best interest, I do not envision a scenario where the best interests of the membership and responsible stewardship of member dues would come into conflict. Furthermore, I believe that anyone making this argument is grasping at straws in an attempt to disguise their true purpose with self-important language or fails to grasp the basic concept that a union exists as an institution explicitly for the benefit of its members.

Will you commit to a pilot vote on an APA-ALPA merger agreement in 2023?
The pilots should have a say in a move to merge, or not to merge APA-ALPA. As a BOD member, I will vote to have the pilots of American Airlines decide their future and which association represents them and their career.

APA BOD representatives routinely state they represent their members and are fiduciaries to APA. Which is the priority when these statements conflict?
Certain BOD members hide behind this as their answer to oppose any merger of APA-ALPA. I will not, as I have no objections to exploring a merger of APA-ALPA. Any merger of such should be done with due diligence. APA exists because of the hard earn dues dollars that fund APA. As a BOD member, I will not willfully waste or cost the pilots of APA financial harm. However, I will push, encourage and vote to allow the members to decide on their future with factual information only and emotion removed.

Will you commit to a pilot vote on an APA-ALPA merger agreement in 2023?
Yes. This issue needs to be thoroughly researched through the Exploratory committee then presented to the BOD and Membership.

APA BOD representatives routinely state they represent their members and are fiduciaries to APA. Which is the priority when these statements conflict?
If elected all decisions will be based on a membership first agenda. Our pilot group wants and deserves drastic improvements in our CBA. If conflict arises between the APA constitution and bylaws all efforts will be made to do what's best for the members.

Will you commit to a pilot vote on an APA-ALPA merger agreement in 2023? 

I believe strongly that the correct way forward on an issue of such importance to the lives and careers of APA pilots is for the membership at large to have the final say in the matter.

APA BOD representatives routinely state they represent their members and are fiduciaries to APA. Which is the priority when these statements conflict?

I believe that ultimately Union Domicile Representatives’ first duty must always be that which serves the members of their constituency; in this case the pilots of the LAX Domicile. The members elect their officers. The officers must serve the members who elected them. This is what I believe, and it is what I will strive to do every day that I am in office, should I be elected.