Sam Pilger

Summary of Work

Sam Pilger is a labor relations executive with over 25 years of responsibility in strategic planning, managing labor relations and human resource functions, including execution of national and regional labor negotiations. Specifically, he has deep experience in corporate strategy, conflict resolution, risk management, training, budget, forecasting and employee engagement. He serves as a trustee on several multi-employer pension and health plans throughout the country. He currently serves as Co-Chairman of both the Pension Fund and the Health & Welfare Fund of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 710. In this role, for over 15 years, he has prudently managed the assets of the Funds in accordance with the stated investment objectives. As Co-Chairman, he has also effectively and efficiently managed third-party professionals hired to invest combined assets of over $4.0 Billion on behalf of the Funds. Furthermore, he sits as a trustee on the following multi-employer funds, IAM Machinist Health and Pension (Chairman), Western PA Pension, Local 108 Retirement Fund, NY Times Pension (non-conflicted Trustee), and Teamsters National 401K plan. Sam served in leadership roles at Yellow Freight for over 25 years, including as Vice President, Labor Relations where he oversaw all labor relation activities involving the Company’s operations in the Central & Eastern Regions of the United States, including 219 facilities and approximately 17,400 employees. Sam’s analytical abilities, strong interpersonal skills, as well as his progressive approach and the energy he brings to the business, have earned him increasingly elevated roles within the labor relations / multi-employer trust fund industry. He received a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Notre Dame, as well as a Master of Science in Business Communications from Grand Valley State University. His undergraduate work was completed at Western Illinois University. Additionally, Sam is a graduate of the Trustee Master’s program through the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (“IFEBP”).

Designations/Certifications and Other Training/Education

• Master of Business Administration, M.B.A
• University of Notre Dame, Indiana Master of Science, Communications
• Grand Valley State University, Michigan Bachelor of Arts, Public Communication and Human Resources
• Western Illinois University, Illinois International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IF) - Trustee Master’s Program

Fund Experience

• International Association Machinist Motor City Pension Fund (Chairman) 2008 - Present $106 M in assets; 49 active participants 321 inactive vested participants
• International Association Machinist Motor City Health & Welfare Fund (Chairman) 2008 - Present $9.7 M in assets; 450 active participants
• International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 710 Pension Fund (Co-Chairman) 2013 - Present $4 B in assets; 7,000 active participants
• International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 710 Health & Welfare Fund (Co-Chairman) 2013 - Present $124 M in assets; 2,000 active participants $18.1 M in assets; 950 covered participants
• Western Pennsylvania Teamsters and Employers Pension Fund 2019 - Present $1.8 B in assets; 3,800 active participants
• Teamsters National 401(K) Savings Plan 2020 - Present $1.4 B in assets; 34,600 active participants
• UFCW Local 108 Pension Fund 2024 - Present $30.0 M in assets
• NY Times Printer Pension Funds (Non-Conflicted Trustee) 2024 - Present
• NY Times Pressman Pension Funds (Non-Conflicted Trustee) 2025 - Present

State

Michigan

Accepts Business in These Areas

Local only, Open to regional, Open to national

Fee Structure

Retainer

Involvement with the International Foundation

Has served as a Moderator at International Conferences