Jan Thompson, beloved and long-time NFFE National Business Representative, is set to retire this week and will serve her last day today, Friday, August 30, 2019.
Thompson began her union career as a Range Conservationist with the U.S. Forest Service in Bishop, California at the Inyo National Forest. After successfully organizing her colleagues and serving as the president of the newly established local, Thompson was offered a Business Representative position in 1987 and moved to Oklahoma to service NFFE’s western locals.
In the course of her 32-year career with NFFE, Thompson estimates that she’s represented our members in at least half of the United States. As the current Western territory Business Representative, she has worn many hats over the years, and that is just what she has loved about the job.
“I have met so many remarkable sisters and brothers over the years. It has been my pleasure to work, learn, and grow with them. I will miss them all and feel truly grateful and humbled to have had the pleasure to serve my great union and its members throughout my career with NFFE,” Thompson remarked.
Thompson is set to officially begin her retirement this coming Saturday with a flight to Barcelona, Spain and a two-week cruise. When she returns, she is excited to attend a Bible Study Fellowship at her church, volunteer with a non-profit that fights human trafficking, and catch up on projects around the house.
NFFE National President Randy Erwin expressed his thanks and admiration for Jan’s more than three decades with NFFE.
“I am so very proud of my great friend and sister, Jan Thompson, and all that she has done in her 32-year career with NFFE,” said President Erwin. “From the first time I met her, I knew she was one of the kindest people I had ever met, and my opinion never changed. Over the years, I watched her incredible work ethic as she serviced her Locals and helped our union grow and prosper. I look back on her time in this union and just think, ‘Wow, what an amazing career!’ NFFE is so lucky to have had Jan Thompson as a business representative in this union. We simply wouldn’t be where we are today without her. Congratulation, Jan, on your much-deserved retirement!”
Please join us in thanking Jan for her tremendous and selfless service to our union. She will be greatly missed and is leaving behind big shoes to fill.