Alan Symonette of Philadelphia was installed as President of The National Academy of Arbitrators (NAA), the official North American organization of labor and employment arbitrators. It was announced on May 10 following the NAA’s Annual Meeting & Member Education Conference in Boston.

Symonette is a highly experienced arbitrator, specializing in labor and employment disputes and collective bargaining, and is recognized for his work in various industries including airlines, higher education, police, telecommunications and Major League baseball.

With knowledge of where the profession and workplace are headed for the future, Symonette hopes to enact initiatives for the organization to adapt and expand. He also plans to utilize his experience in previous leadership roles with the NAA and knowledge from his predecessors to accomplish these goals.

“It’s a privilege to be asked to serve the Academy in another way,” Symonette said. “I’ve had dear colleagues who’ve served as president, and some were great mentors of mine. It is a privilege to stand on their shoulders. As we prepare to welcome a new generation of mediators and arbitrators, I hope to encourage the expansion of our role in the workplace."

Arbitrator Joshua Javits of Washington, D.C. became President-Elect. He will succeed Symonette at the NAA’s 2025 Annual Meeting scheduled from April 30 to May 3 in Seattle.

In addition to President-Elect Javits, the incoming Officers and Governors include: 1st Term Vice Presidents Christopher J. Albertyn (Toronto, ON); and Jeanne Charles (Pembroke Pines, FL); Governors Christopher David Ruiz Cameron (Los Angeles, CA); Shelia G. Mayberry (Portland, ME); and Jasbir Parmar (Oakville, ON).

About the National Academy of Arbitrators

The National Academy of Arbitrators is a professional organization with members in the United States and Canada. The Academy strives to strengthen the profession while advancing knowledge and understanding of labor and employment arbitration. For more information, please visit https://naarb.org.

Amy Hanson 314-425-9933 amy@commongroundpr.com