INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, May 20 — Brother L.R. (Randy) Fannon was elected by acclamation to the office of General Chairman at the quadrennial meeting of the Norfolk Southern-Eastern Lines General Committee of Adjustment, May 16-18, 2016, in Roanoke, Va.
A Norfolk Southern locomotive engineer, Brother Fannon was elected 1st Vice General Chairman at the GCA’s quadrennial meeting in 2012. He was elevated to the General Chairman’s office following the retirement of Kevin S. Peek on May 12, 2016. A member of Division 37 (Norton, Va.), Brother Fannon first joined the Brotherhood effective March 1, 1989. He also serves the National Division as an investigator for the Safety Task Force and as 7th Alternate National Vice President. Brother Fannon was a member of the Bylaws Committee at the BLET’s Third National Convention in 2014.
Also elected by acclamation were: 1st Vice General Chairman Scott R. Bunten, Division 301 (Roanoke, Va.); 2nd Vice General Chairman Michael N. Wentzel, Division 301 (Roanoke, Va.); Secretary-Treasurer Donnie L. Young, Division 301 (Roanoke, Va.); and Alternate Secretary-Treasurer Charles D. Owens, Division 37 (Norton, Va.). Brother Young is beginning his fifth term of office as Secretary-Treasurer.
Three Trustees were elected by acclamation: D.H. (Denny) Graham, Local Chairman of Division 124 (Mullens, W.Va.); Josh A. Corbin, Local Chairman of Division 217 (Shenandoah, Va.); and John S. Copley, Local Chairman of Division 401 (Williamson, W.Va.).
Representing the BLET National Division at the meeting was: National President Dennis R. Pierce; First Vice President E. Lee Pruitt; and National Vice President R.C. (Rick) Gibbons.
“I congratulate and thank all officers of the Norfolk Southern-Eastern Lines General Committee of Adjustment,” President Pierce said. “I also wish to recognize and thank retiring General Chairman Kevin S. Peek. A dedicated and hardworking General Chairman, Brother Peek served the Brotherhood with dignity and professionalism for many years. He will be truly missed and leaves some big shoes to fill, but I have every confidence that Brother Fannon will do an excellent job as the new General Chairman.”
Special guests included: Mark L. Wallace, NS-Southern Lines General Chairman; Paul L. Wingo Jr., retired National Vice President; Willard E. Knight, retired National Vice President; and R.H. (Bob) Linsey, retired NS-Northern Lines General Chairman.
A total of 17 delegates representing 12 BLET Division were in attendance. In addition to the election of officers, they handled GCA business in an efficient and timely manner. The GCA represents approximately 1,200 members.