CLEVELAND, November 19 — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen has named Stephen J. Bruno to the position of Director of Regulatory Affairs.
Brother Bruno joined the BLET in 1985, after being promoted to the position of locomotive engineer by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). In 1987, he became the Local Chairman of Division 71 and held that position until 2002. He held the position of General Chairman from 1989-2002.
During his years of BLET membership, he has also held the positions of Alternate Vice President, Chairman of the Eastern General Chairmen’s Association, and was the chairman of the joint caucus at the 2006 National Convention.
“I look forward to working with the Legislative Department,” Bruno said. “I am going to do my best to make the workplace safer for all BLET members.”
Vice President & National Legislative Representative John Tolman welcomed Bruno to the staff.
“Brother Steve brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to the position of Director of Regulatory Affairs and I look forward to working with him,” Tolman said. “He has held many positions within the BLET and, in all of them, he has worked hard and implemented many innovative ideas, which I am sure will serve the National Legislative Office well.”
In his new role as Director of Regulatory Affairs, Bruno will represent the BLET on numerous collaborative endeavors (such as the Rail Safety Advisory Committee with the FRA); prepare the union’s comments submitted in response to various agencies’ proposals for rulemakings and proposed rules (such as the Federal Railroad Administration, Department of Transportation, Transportation Security Administration and Surface Transportation Board); and prepare comments submitted in response to petitions for waiver from compliance with FRA regulations.
Bruno fills the position previously held by Tom Pontolillo, who was named Director of Research and Assistant to the President in April of 2008.
“Brother Bruno will do an excellent job in his new post,” BLET National President Ed Rodzwicz said. “The BLET National Legislative Office made a wise decision in hiring him and I am sure he will work tirelessly in serving our membership.”