The Winpisinger Center has opened applications for the 2026 Chris Wagoner Memorial Leadership Grant, with a submission deadline of November 30. The grant is intended to help locals that lack financial resources send current and emerging leaders to leadership training at the center.
According to Official Circular 908, which established the grant, funding is provided annually to one local from each International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Territory. For 2025, eligible territories include Eastern, Midwestern, Western, Southern, Canadian, Air Transport Territories, as well as Headquarters and vicinity including the Rail Division. The grant covers all costs incurred by a local in sending a member to a leadership program at the Winpisinger Center.
The grant is renewable for each selected local. Members chosen may attend up to four leadership programs—one per year—if they have completed previous programs satisfactorily and if their local submits an accountability statement confirming their participation and contribution to local activities.
Seven locals across North America received the inaugural Chris Wagoner Memorial Leadership Grant in 2025: Local 550 (Surrey, British Columbia), Local 4538 (Towson, Maryland), Local 1894 (South Ozone Park, New York), Local 2916 (Corpus Christi, Texas), Local 104 (Huntington, West Virginia), Local 1613 (Vandalia, West Virginia), and Local W38 (Shelton, Washington).
The grant was created by delegates at the 2024 IAM International Convention in memory of Chris Wagoner. Wagoner served as Director of the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center until his death in 2022. He was a member of IAM for three decades.
“Brother Wagoner…believed that expanding opportunities for Leadership training was critical to our future growth and strength as a union.”
