Business Agent Floyd Suggs presented Mr. Matt Bryson Mullinax an award to recognize his 66 years of continuous IBEW membership. He first became an IBEW member in 1938 at the age of 22. He became a member of Local 108 in 1955. Brother Mullinax has been married for 68 years and has 3 children – one son, and two daughters.

Brother Mullinax began his electrical career in 1935, where he worked as an electrician’s helper for TVA. He worked on the electrical construction and maintenance of the Wheeler, Wilson, and Great Falls Hydro-Electric Power Plants. He was involved with the construction and operation of the Oak Ridge Tennessee Atomic Energy Plant from 1942 through 1945. From 1945 to 1955 brother Mullinax work as an electrician for Southern Railroad, in the Memphis Tennessee facility. He moved to Lakeland, Florida in 1955, where he worked as an electrician I/C for the city’s E&W department. He was promoted to T&D supervisor in the construction and maintenance division in 1981. Brother Mullinax was later involved with installation and maintenance of the city’s underground electrical distribution system, where he was considered the system expert.

Brother Mullinax is an inspiration and asset to the labor movement. We wish him a healthy and enjoyable retirement.

On Monday night, February 4, 2002 the Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA) held their Legislative Conference Annual Banquet at the Ramada Inn in Tallahassee, FL. The ballroom was packed with ARA Board Members and State ARA Leaders. National ARA Leaders from Washington, DC, Ed Coyle, Executive Director and Jake Sweeney, ARA Mobilization Director were also in attendance. Our own, J.W. Strickland who is the AFL-CIO Retiree Coordinator for West Central FL , IBEW LU 108 ARA President, and State ARA Board Member was presented with a beautiful plaque by Tony Fransetta, President of the Florida ARA. The plaque was a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition and appreciation for his many years of service to the retirees, social issues of working families and labor unions throughout the state of Florida. J.W. and his lovely wife Margie were given a standing ovation and pictures were taken with State and National Labor Union officials, State and National Retiree Coordinators and Board Members. J.W. stated that this is "an award that I am most humbled to receive on behalf of all union retirees in Florida."