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INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, March 31 — Brother N. Shane Bragg, a member of BLET Division 578 (Tulsa, Okla.), was elected Chairman of the Oklahoma State Legislative Board during its quadrennial meeting held March 22-24, 2022, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

A BNSF Railway locomotive engineer, Brother Bragg has held continuous membership in the BLET since September 1, 2013. Brother Bragg was elected as Vice Local Chairman of Division 578 as soon as he became eligible in 2015, winning reelection in 2018. In 2021, he was elected as Local Chairman and Legislative Representative of his Division.

Brother Lonnie G. Pitner of BLET Division 523 (Chickasha, Okla.) was reelected Secretary-Treasurer, a position he has held since 2012. A Union Pacific locomotive engineer, Brother Pitner has held continuous membership in the BLET since 1996.

Elected to serve as trustees were: Chad A. Gambel, Division 604 (Madill, Okla.); Deon Roop, Division 569 (Heavener, Okla.); and Philip Balsiger, Division 141 (Oklahoma City, Okla.).

BLET President Dennis Pierce represented the BLET National Division at the meeting. Additional BLET guests included: Vice President and National Legislative Representative Vince Verna; Directory of Political Affairs Brendan Sullivan; Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Eric Gabaldon; General Chairman Jeff Thurman, BNSF (former STL-SF) GCA: Vice General Chairman Scott Alexander, UP-Southern Region GCA; and Vice General Chairman Kyle King, BNSF (former STL-SF) GCA.

“Congratulations to Brother Bragg and all officers of the Oklahoma State Legislative Board,” BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce said. “I thank them for their service to our Brotherhood, and I have every confidence they will do an excellent job representing the interests of our Brothers and Sisters in the proud state of Oklahoma.”

The BLET’s Oklahoma State Legislative Board represents approximately 500 active and retired members from six BLET Divisions.