Employees
President’s Staff
John F. Fink is a member of Division 3, and is the Director of Research and Assistant to the National President since January 2022.
Among his responsibilities are coordinating the National Division’s bargaining activities and providing collective bargaining support for general committees of adjustment. John also conducts collective bargaining and related legal research, reviews Section 6 Notices and Proposed Agreements for compliance with Brotherhood law, and coordinates activities across several National Division Departments.
A. Dan Cook III, member of Division 1, joined the BLET National Division on September 2007, as a member of the President’s Staff. He primarily handles issues related to the National Health and Welfare Plans as well as other duties as assigned by the National President.
Greg Ross has been with the Brotherhood employee for over 20 years, and spent many years working in the Brotherhood’s Arbitration Department and with its Legal Affairs immediately prior to becoming a member of the National Division President’s Staff.
He presently handles issues assigned to him by the National President serving as a liaison between the Organization’s officers, the membership and the ND Staff.
Luke W. Myers, member of Division 727, joined the BLET National Division on January 1, 2022, as a member of the President’s Staff. He primarily handles bylaws and election related issues as well as other duties as assigned by the National President.
Special Representatives
Matthew C. Kronyak is a member of Division 235 and was appointed to a full time Special Representative position effective November 2014.
A focus of Brother Kronyak’s position is to arrange facilities and coordinate meeting space for Brotherhood functions in addition he is the Eastern Region Director of Mobilization, while handling other duties as assigned by the National President.
Richard C. Bartela Jr., member of Division 382 was appointed as a Special Representative effective July 1, 2017.
His duties include auditing Divisions, General Committees of Adjustment and State Legislative Boards, and other duties as assigned by the National President.
Jorge R. Gomes is a member of BLET Division 264 and was appointed to a full time Special Representative position by National President Edward A. Hall effective March 13, 2023.
Brother Gomez works under the direction of National Vice President Randy Fannon. As part of his duties, Brother Gomez investigates organizing opportunities, conducts mobilization outreach in the Western U.S., and assists with the BLET’s Short Line Department (Division 16).
Brian K. Terpening, a member of BLET Division 592 in Dalhart, Texas, was appointed to a full time Special Representative position by National President Edward A. Hall effective April 18, 2023.
Brother Terpening works under the direction of National Vice President Randy Fannon. As part of his duties, Brother Terpening investigates organizing opportunities, conducts mobilization outreach, and assists with the BLET’s Short Line Department (Division 16).
Executive Assistants
Sherry provides administrative support for the National President. Her various duties within the organization include managing in and outbound correspondence for the Office of the President, and various other administrative duties. Sherry has worked for the BLET since March 30, 2009.
A National Division employee since 2015, Denise provides administrative support for the First Vice President. As the Arbitration Department Manager, she uploads cases and distributes circular award letter. She also prepares and reviews correspondence for distribution on behalf of the BLET National President’s staff and handles correspondence for the Teamsters Rail Conference.
Justine provides administrative support for the National Secretary-Treasurer. Her various duties within the organization include managing in and outbound correspondence for the Office of the Secretary-Treasurer, and various other administrative duties. Justine has been with the BLET since 1998.
Public Relations & Publications
John Bentley joined the National Division in 1995. He is the BLET’s Director of Public Relations and the Editor of the BLET’s two membership publications — the Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen News and the Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Journal.
His responsibilities include maintaining the news and other content on the BLET website, with a primary focus on the Daily News and News Flash sections. He manages the Brotherhood’s collection of historic memorabilia, which dates to 1863. He also works on various other BLET publications. As Director of Public Relations, he handles media inquiries and issues press releases as necessary.
Bill Joyce is the BLET’s Art Director and Associate Editor since 2009. He handles all elements of graphic design and layout of publications, along with web and social media graphics, including other duties as assigned by the National President.
Record & Compliance
Megan C. Mead is a member of Division 197 and serves the BLET National Division as Director of the Record and Compliance Department. She began working full time for the National Division in July 2013.
She is responsible for coordinating tax related activities between the BLET, its subordinate bodies and the various government agencies. Her additional duties include Division and GCA Secretary-Treasurer UnionTrack reporting and general assistance; member, officer, Division, Local Committee of Adjustment and General Committee of Adjustment changes and data maintenance; Division UnionTrack reporting corrections; election results maintenance.
Kimm began with the BLET in May of 2000 and works as the Government Relations Specialist, which helps coordinate PAC contributions along with the National Legislative Office in Washington, D.C.
She audits the PAC receipts and disbursements on a monthly basis and prepares the Federal Elections Commission report, and is responsible for keeping up to date on various State Campaign Finance Regulations as well as reporting to those states as required.
Kimm also assists the Compliance Department answering questions and solving problems for ST’s and other special projects.
Financial
Mike Collier was appointed to the position of Assistant to the National Secretary-Treasurer and Director of the BLET Accounting Department effective June 2016.
As Director of the National Division’s Accounting Department, Mike is responsible for the management of dues collection, vendor payments, internal and external financial reporting under the supervision of National Secretary. He also is responsible for other duties as assigned by the National President.
Working in the Accounting Department Nicole prepares billing activities such as accounts receivables and accounts payable. She also may be involved in the production of forms, transcription, filing, managing accounts and inventories and preparation of reports for tax returns, as well as other tasks assigned by the Director of Accounting. She has been a BLET employee since 2014.
Darlene joined the National Division in May 2001 as Staff Accountant and works with the National Secretary-Treasurer and the Assistant to the NST/Director of Accounting.
In her role, she assists in daily, monthly, and annual financial accounting and reporting functions. Additionally, Darlene manages payroll and has a comprehensive management role of GCA and Short-Line Division Financial Accounting.
Jennifer Lemmon has been a full-time employee of the BLET National Division since April 2019, and currently serves as Staff Accountant and Assistant Director of Benefits.
As Staff Accountant, she is responsible for the handling of BLET Health and Welfare as well as other duties as assigned by the Assistant to the National Secretary-Treasurer and Director of BLET Accounting.
As the Assistant Director of Benefits, Jennifer assists with the handling of issues related to the National Health and Welfare Plans and other duties as assigned by the Director of Benefits.
Arbitration
Doug Davidson is member of Division 96 and joined National Division in July 2006. As Director of the Arbitration Department he represents the Organization as a Labor Member of the National Railroad Adjustment Board (NRAB).
Brother Davidson consults with General Chairmen who need assistance in preparing to arbitrate minor disputes, assists Local Chairmen who are preparing to represent charged employees in discipline matters, and responds to all calls placed to the Engineer Certification Helpline. He also practices arbitration, advocating on behalf of the Brotherhood during Referee Hearings and participating in Executive Sessions at the First Division, NRAB.
As a Labor Member of the NRAB, he serves on the tribunal, which decides the discipline and schedule rule cases brought by the Organization. He is also responsible for the Organization’s portion of administrative duties at the NRAB, including the selection of referees, deadlocking and scheduling of cases, the adoption of the awards and overseeing correspondence between NRAB and the parties.
File Department
James Grdina, joined the BLET National Division in 2015, as Director of the File Department. In addition, James is the Print Shop Director, Manager of the Shipping, Receiving and Supply Department, as well as other duties as assigned by the National President.
Support Staff
Building Department
Tom Grdina, joined the BLET National Division in 1984, and is Building Manager for BLET National Division headquarters in Independence, Ohio. He has oversight of the daily functions of the building and property, as well as other duties as assigned by the National President.
IT Department
Michael has worked in the computer industry since 1990. He came on staff at the National Office in 2004. Michael’s duties are maintaining and managing all hardware and software technology, and administration of IT related contracts and purchases. Michael’s interests are computers, music, and traveling.
Online Services
National Legislative Office, Washington, D.C.
Brendan P. Sullivan of Division 769 (Sanford, Florida) was appointed to serve as Director of Political Affairs for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen effective October 1, 2021. Brother Sullivan is headquartered at the BLET’s National Legislative Office in Washington, D.C.
As the Director of Political Affairs, Brother Sullivan interacts with local, state, and federal legislative bodies and government agencies to represent and advance the BLET’s advocacy plans and interests. Brother Sullivan most recently served the BLET as Chairman of the Florida State Legislative Board. Among other assignments, Brother Sullivan lobbies for legislative issues and handles political education and handles other duties as assigned by the National President.
Christy Smith joined the BLET’s National Legislative Office as Director of Regulatory Affairs on June 5, 2023. Among other items, she handles proposed legislation and regulations that impact BLET members and the rail industry. Smith has a master’s degree from Tulane University.