Paul Mitchell

Board Member, Detroit RiverFront Conservancy

UAW Executive Co-Director
UAW-GM Center for Human Resources

Paul Mitchell was born into a large and loving family in Butler, Alabama. He has four brothers and five sisters. While in high school in Alabama, Paul was active in the civil rights struggle. He moved with his family to Flint, MIchigan in 1969.

Paul became a member of UAW Local 599 in 1969, when he hired in at Buick Motor Division in Flint. After working at Buick for nine months, he was granted a military leave and joined the Air Force. While in the service, Paul was ranked in the top 10 percent of his field as a Personnel Specialist. He also attended the NCO Academy, where he received the Commandant Award, which is given to the student who displays outstanding leadership qualities.

In 1974, after his tour of duty, Paul returned to UAW Local 599. Later that same year, he became an apprentice and was transferred to UAW Local 659, Flint Metal Fabricating plant.

In 1982, Paul transferred to UAW Local 5960 at the Lake Orion facility where he was elected to numerous positions in the local union, including Committee person, Guide, Trustee and Financial Secretary-Treasurer.

In 1991, then President Owen Bieber appointed him to the staff of the International Union, where he was assigned to the General Motors Department under the direction of then Vice President Stephen P. Yokich. Paul was assigned to the Funding Department at the UAW-GM Center for Human Resources.

In addition to his many responsibilities, Paul has worked on several temporary assignments with the UAW Civil Rights Department, including the A. Phillip Randolph Institute and the League of United Latin American Citizens.

In 1999, Paul was appointed Coordinator, UAW General Motors Department, and assigned to Diversity, Personnel, Audio Visual, MIS, Building Services and Special Projects at the UAW-GM Center for Human Resources. In 2004, Paul was appointed Assistant Director over these departments.

On July 30, 2006, Vice President Cal Rapson appointed Paul as his Administrative Assistant, assigning him to his current position as UAW Executive Co-Director of the UAW-GM Center for Human Resources.

Throughout his 39-year career in the UAW, Paul has consistently advocated for African-American involvement at all levels and all responsibilities in the union. He has been active in the union's Community Action Program and participated in civil rights demonstrations and other forms of protest designed to bring about positive change in the community.

Paul is active in his church. He is a lifetime member of the NAACP and is a member of the CBTU and the TULC. Paul and his wife, Cristela, have five children and four grandchildren.