CLEVELAND, October 28 — Chairman Ken Kertesz was reelected by acclamation to his third term at the Pennsylvania State Legislative Board’s quadrennial meeting in Hershey, Pa., from October 25-27, 2010.
Brother Kertesz is a member of BLET Division 263 in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. He first joined the Brotherhood on January 1, 1974.
“I am humbled by the board’s decision to re-elect me,” Kertesz said. “And the fact that they returned me to this job by acclamation shows that I, and the rest of the board, are doing right by the membership, which is of the utmost importance.”
Also elected by acclamation were First Vice Chairman Gene Imler of Division 74 (Harrisburg) and Secretary-Treasurer Dave Caniff of Division 370 (Pittsburgh).
Jim O’Neill of Division 483 (Philadelphia) was elected to his third term as Second Vice Chairman. Tim Laveing of Division 325 (Wilkinsburg) was elected to his first term as Alternate Secretary-Treasurer.Jeff Johnson of Division 71 (Philadelphia) and Pete Fernandez of Division 757 (New Castle) were elected to the Executive Committee.
National President Dennis R. Pierce addressed the delegates and gave a presentation regarding the state of the BLET. He also praised the work of the Board and Chairman Kertesz.
“I would like to thank Chairman Kertesz and all of the members of the Pennsylvania State Legislative Board for the work they have done on the behalf of the members in Pennsylvania,” President Pierce said.
First Vice President E.L. “Lee” Pruitt and National Secretary-Treasurer William C. Walpert also attended the meeting. National Secretary-Treasurer Walpert gave a presentation regarding the BLET’s finances. Vice President & National Legislative Representative John Tolman gave the attendees a legislative and political update, with a special mention of the 2010 mid-term elections, which will be held on November 2.
Also attending the meeting were BLET Coordinator of Education & Training and Special Representative Ken Kroeger; Ohio State Legislative Board Chairman and National Association of State Legislative Board Chairman Eastern Regional Chairman Tim Hanely; New Jersey State Legislative Board Chairman Matt Kronyak and New York State Legislative Board Chairman David Kearsing.
New BLET Auxiliary President Anita Caruso and Auxiliary Vice President & National Legislative Representative Sereena Hogan were also in attendance.
The Pennsylvania State Legislative Board represents 1,250 members in 19 Divisions.