Meet Don Maki
Don Maki was appointed in 2000 as a commissioner with Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and began his career in federal service in Green Bay, WI. Don provides mediation services across a variety of industries, including healthcare, construction, paper, manufacturing, education, trucking, University faculty/professors, food service and the grocery industry. In addition, he mediates cases for the U.S Equal Opportunity Commission, Civil Rights, Interior Department, Federal Prisons, U.S. Postal Service and a number of other federal agencies.
Don is a trained Conflict Management Professional and has a strong focus on problem solving, advocating fair and cost- effective dispute resolution. Don has continued to focus on dispute resolution receiving certifications in Prosci, Change Practitioner and Crucial Learning in Crucial Conversations and Influencer.
Mr. Maki trains labor and management advocates in collective bargaining which includes bargaining processes, contract administration, steward/supervisor, conflict resolution, communication dynamics and effective labor management committees. Don has also presented at the FMCS National Conference and Regional Conferences on labor relations issues. Don was also selected by the agency to conduct training internationally, through the International Labor Organization, in Myanmar and in Bangladesh, and has trained classes for new mediators. Mr. Maki has also served a three- year term on the Federal Reserve Bank Business and Labor Great Lakes Regional Board.
Prior to joining FMCS, Mr. Maki served as a staff representative for twelve years with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Detroit, Flint and Dayton, Ohio. While working as a staff representative, Mr. Maki also served a term as president of the Professional Representatives Organization. In addition to his labor- management experience, Mr. Maki completed a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at Northern Michigan University, where he also did his graduate work in public administration. He served in Municipal law enforcement for 10 years with the Norway City Police Department, Northern Michigan University Public Safety, and the Chocolay Township Police Department.