CLEVELAND, November 11 — J. Alan Holdcraft of BLET Division 776 (Galveston, Texas) was elected General Chairman of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (former ATSF) General Committee of Adjustment at the GCA’s triennial meeting that concluded in Las Vegas on October 27.
Brother Holdcraft has held continuous membership in the Brotherhood for more than 31 years. He joined Division 776 on February 1, 1980. Immediately prior to his election as General Chairman, Brother Holdcraft served as the GCA’s 1st Vice Chairman.
He will take over for outgoing General Chairman Pat J. Williams of BLET Division 446 (Belen, N.M.), who is retiring after a 40-year railroad career. Also retiring is Brother Roland Kleinsorge, the GCA’s long-serving Secretary-Treasurer. Brother Chris A. Mosser of BLET Division 871 (Slaton, Texas), was elected as the GCA’s new Secretary-Treasurer.
Also elected were: 1st Vice Chairman M. R. (Robby) Cunningham, Division 134 (Winslow, Ariz.); 2nd Vice Chairman R. J. Maloy, Division 299 (Amarillo, Texas); 3rd Vice Chairman J.R. Gomez, Division 264 (El Paso, Texas); 4th Vice Chairman O.A. Burrola, Division 839 (Richmond, Calif.); 5th Vice Chairman R.E. Young, Division 256 (Denver, Colo.); and Alternate Secretary-Treasurer R.D. Sawyer, Division 134 (Winslow, Ariz.).
Brothers Holdcraft, Cunningham and Mosser will serve the GCA on a full-time basis. The delegates considered numerous resolutions during their meeting, adopting a resolution that makes the Secretary-Treasurer job a full-time position with the requirement that the elected officer also handle protective matters in addition to regular GCA financial duties.
The assembled delegates heard reports from BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce; First Vice President E. Lee Pruitt; National Secretary Treasurer William C. Walpert; and National Vice President Michael D. Priester. Brother Holdcraft thanked the National Division officers for their participation.
Also attending the meeting were BNSF/MRL General Chairman Matt Wilson and BNSF (former STL-SF) General Chairman Rick Gibbons.
BLET Special Representative and National Mobilization Director Kent Confer presented a mobilization training class to the delegates.
Retiring General Chairman Williams first joined the BLET on August 1, 1977. He was elected General Chairman three times, most recently in 2008. Brother Kleinsorge joined BLET Division 398 (San Bernardino, Calif.) on January 1, 1980. He was elected to the GCA’s Alternate S-T position in 2002, assuming the full Secretary-Treasurer job in 2004 upon the retirement of Bill Wood. Brother Kleinsorge was reelected Secretary-Treasurer in 2005 and 2008.
“I offer my congratulations to General Chairman Holdcraft and all members of the BNSF (ATSF) General Committee of Adjustment,” National President Pierce said. “I thank them for inviting me and it was an honor to attend their triennial meeting.
“I know they will do an excellent job of upholding the standard of excellence established by retiring Brothers Pat Williams and Roland Kleinsorge. These two dedicated Brothers spent many years selflessly serving our Brotherhood and they are leaving some big shoes to fill. On behalf of the entire Organization I extend heartfelt thanks and best wishes to each Brother for a happy and healthy retirement.”
The BNSF (Santa Fe) General Committee is composed of 36 Divisions representing nearly 2,900 engineers and trainmen.