TAMPA, FL (March 14, 2026) – The annual meetings of the International Longshoremen’s Association Great Lakes District Council are taking place this weekend in Tampa, Florida as the ILA ports on both the U.S. and Canadian sides of the Great Lakes prepare for their 2026 season.
ILA International Officers Steve Knott, Secretary-Treasurer; John D. Baker, General Organizer; Alan Robb, Assistant General Organizer; and Jim Paylor, Assistant General Organizer, led a impressive list of speakers to address the hundreds of delegates and guests gathered at the Holiday Inn, Tampa Airport Westshore Hotel. Don Joshberger, International President at the International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots, (IOMM&P) was a featured speaker at the three-day meetings held over the March 13-16 period.
One of the panel discussions during the Tampa Meetings was a “Breakbulk ILA Roundtable” led by ILA Assistant General Organizer Jim Paylor.
In the top photo, Alan Robb, President, South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District and International Assistant General Organizer addresses the Great Lakes District Council and is joined on the dais by (from left, Michael Baker, District Council Secretary-Treasurer; John D. Baker, Jr., District Council President; John D. Baker, Sr., District Council President Emeritus and International General Organizer; and Don Joshberger, International President, IOMM&P. Bottom left is Jim Paylor, ILA Assistant General Organizer; Bottom Center, Steve Knott addresses District Council as John D. Baker, Sr., looks on; Bottom right Bill Yockey, District Executive Vice President and International Vice President at the podium with District President John D. Baker, Jr.
