Director James Wells

Jim Wells was elected to a fifth term as director of UAW Region 5 on June 16, 2010, by delegates at the union’s 35th Constitutional Convention.

First elected to lead Region 5 in 1995, he was re-elected in 1998, 2002, and again in 2006.

The region covers Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington. He served as assistant director from 1989 to 1995.

Wells was appointed an international representative by then-UAW President Owen Bieber in 1985, and served four years on the Region 5 staff. He has been a UAW member since 1966, when he was hired at the General Motors plant in St. Louis, and became a member of UAW Local 25.

Wells had been elected as an alternate committeeperson in 1970. He served from 1972 to 1982 as a member of the local's bargaining committee.

In 1982 Wells transferred to GM's new assembly plant in Wentzville, Mo., where he was elected as chair of the shop committee at Local 2250, serving until 1985.

Wells' assignments and responsibilities as an international representative included servicing GM's facilities and a number of independent plants in the St. Louis area.

Wells, who was born June 16, 1946, and his wife, Jane, live in Bethalto, Ill. They have three daughters and four grandchildren.