Wayne Blanchard is a native of Toledo, Ohio, and a graduate of Jesup W. Scott High School. After graduation, Wayne served two years in The United States Army in Fort Leonard Wood, MO. He then returned home to Toledo to attend Davis College, where he earned numerous educational certificates.
Wayne was elected Region 2B Director by delegates to a Special Convention held on Sept 17, 2020. In June 2017, Wayne was appointed Assistant Director of Region 2B, which represents the states of Ohio and Indiana. He was appointed to the UAW International Staff in February 2009 by former UAW President Ron Gettelfinger, and then assigned to serve as an International Representative on the Region 2B Staff by former Director Lloyd Mahaffey. His responsibilities consisted of contract negotiations, grievance handling and arbitrations in multiple facilities throughout the state of Ohio.
Wayne began his union activism with the UAW at the age of 20. He was first elected in June 1990 as the Financial Secretary-Treasurer of UAW Local 48 - UnitCast Division in Toledo, OH.
In June of 1996, Wayne began working for Chrysler Corporation at the Toledo Machining Plant. As a member of UAW Local 1435, Wayne served in many capacities; He sat on several Standing Committees, worked as a Temporary Organizer and was elected Financial Secretary-Treasurer, Delegate to the 33rd Constitution, Financial Secretary-Treasurer of the Toledo Area UAW-CAP Council and ultimately President of UAW Local 1435.
Wayne’s union activism goes beyond the UAW. He continues to work vigorously to improve the lives of union and non-union workers, alike. Wayne volunteers his time and gives back to the labor community via AFL-CIO Labor Organizations and has done so for many years. In 2006, he was elected President of the Toledo Chapter A. Phillip Randolph Institute (APRI) and was elected to Vice President of Ohio State APRI in 2010. Wayne is a member of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU), as well as a Silver Life Member, Executive Committee Member, and former Treasurer of Toledo Chapter NAACP.
Wayne stays involved with his community. He is Board Chairperson Emeritus for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Ohio, has served on the Executive Board for Northwest Ohio March of Dimes, the American Red Cross Community Blood Donation Committee and closest to his heart, Wayne was a Big Brother. He is also a member of Scott High School Alumni association, the Lucas County Democratic Party Executive Board as well as the Greater Northwest Ohio AFL-CIO’s United Labor Committee.
Wayne has been married to Cereda since 1993. They are the proud parents of Wayne L. Blanchard II. The Blanchards are longtime members of Glenwood Lutheran Church.
