Mark DePaoli was elected Region 1A Director in a special election on September 12, 2025, after the promotion of the region’s former director, Laura Dickerson, to the position of Vice President.

Since first beginning his UAW journey in 1993, Mark has held several positions and handled numerous responsibilities, including overseeing Local finances and membership dues, coordinating training for Unit and Local leadership, and serving as the lead negotiator for several Local 600 Unit contracts.  

Mark joined the production line in 1993 at Ford Motor Company at the Dearborn Assembly Plant. He then decided to further his skills in 1996 and began the UAW-Ford, Tool & Die Apprenticeship program. After graduating in 1999, Mark increased his responsibilities as a Committee Replacement for the Tool and Die Unit and as lead Safety Trainer for the Dearborn Tool and Die Plant. These experiences inspired Mark to further his studies in Collective Bargaining and Labor Relations. In 2002, he graduated from Wayne State University’s Labor Studies Program.

After graduating from Wayne State, Mark was elected by his fellow union members to serve as the UAW Local 600 Guide in 2002. He was also elected by the local membership to serve on the Tool & Die Unit Bargaining Committee in 2004, and as a General Council Delegate in 2006. 

Motivated by his passion for helping his fellow workers and his desire to serve, Mark continued to expand his skillset and knowledge, and in 2008 he was elected Tool & Die Unit Vice President and as a member of the Bargaining Committee. He became the Tool & Die Unit President/Chairman in 2010. That same year, Mark was elected to multiple positions: as a Tool & Die Convention Delegate and as a member of the Region 1A Skilled Trades Council, Ford Division.

In 2011, DePaoli was honored to be appointed to the Local 600 Education Committee and as an Elected Alternate National Negotiator of the National Ford Department, Sub-council #3 (Skilled Trades) for 2011 National Negotiations. 

From 2011 to 2020, Mark served as the elected Financial Secretary of Local 600, where he worked to maintain a balanced budget year after year, while also overseeing dues, servicing several units, and coordinating many Local 600 events.

In 2020, Mark was elected 2nd Vice President of Local 600, and 1st Vice President three years later. Mark was also elected to serve as part of the historic 2023 UAW-Ford National Negotiating Team. Since 2014, Mark has been an elected delegate to the Region 1A Michigan CAP Executive Committee, and is also a proud lifetime member of the NAACP.

Mark resides in the Downriver Area with his wife Valarie and son Marco. He stays active in the community and has served as a coach for several youth sport teams. Mark enjoys playing hockey, golfing, working out, and spending time with his family and friends.