CLEVELAND, August 26 — The BLET’s Grand Trunk Western (GTW) General Committee of Adjustment reelected General Chairman John M. Karakian by acclamation for a seventh consecutive four-year term at its quadrennial meeting in Port Huron, Mich., the week of August 17, 2015.
Brother Karakian, a member of Division 122 (Port Huron, Mich.), first joined the Brotherhood on June 1, 1977. He began serving as General Chairman in 1992, when he replaced outgoing General Chairman Paul Hicks.
Also reelected by acclamation for a seventh consecutive term was Vice General Chairman Marty J. Tyler, who serves as Local Chairman and Delegate of BLET Division 650 (Durand, Mich.).
Brother Chad Willerick, Local Chairman of BLET Division 33 (Battle Creek, Mich.), was elected to his first term as GCA Secretary-Treasurer. Brother Tom Martin, Secretary-Treasurer of Division 122 (Port Huron, Mich.), was elected to his first term as Alternate Secretary-Treasurer of the GCA.
Representing the BLET National Division at the meeting was National Vice President Gil Gore.
“Brother John Karakian works tirelessly on behalf of his members, as evidenced by this seventh consecutive term of office,” BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce said. “All of our members working at the Grand Trunk Western have benefited from his dedication and tenacity over the decades, and I am proud to offer my thanks and congratulations to Brother Karakian and all officers of the Grand Trunk Western GCA.”
Additional members in attendance were: former GCA Secretary-Treasurer Tom Greenman, Division 33 (Battle Creek, Mich.); Jim Vandendries, Local Chairman of Division 920 (Pontiac, Mich.); Dean Selby, Local Chairman of Division 122 (Port Huron, Mich.): and Brian Miscikowski, Local Chairman of Division 850 (Flat Rock, Mich.).
The GTW GCA is proud of the significant role its forefathers played in the founding of our Brotherhood more than 150 years ago. The Grand Trunk was one of the four original railroads which sent a delegate, B. Northrup, to meet in Detroit, Mich., with 18 other delegates for four days, beginning on May 5, 1863, resulting in the formation of the original Brotherhood of the Footboard, later to become the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.
The GTW GCA represents approximately 250 locomotive engineers who operate over 700 miles of track predominantly in Michigan. The GTW’s main corridor is from Port Huron, Mich., to Chicago, but also has operations in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and the province of Ontario, Canada.