CLEVELAND, September 29 — Brother Paul Piekarski was elected by acclamation to continue serving as Chairman of the Illinois State Legislative Board at the Board’s 13th quadrennial meeting in Schaumburg, Ill., from September 23-24, 2010.
Brother Piekarski was serving as 1st Vice Chairman when he assumed the office of Chairman after the retirement of C. Edward Way on May 31, 2010. Brother Piekarski is a Union Pacific locomotive engineer who is a proud member of Division 683 (Chicago). He joined the Brotherhood on November 1, 1974. He became 1st Vice Chairman in 2004 and was elected by acclamation to that position at the Board’s 2006 quadrennial convention.
Also elected to the Executive Board were: 1st Vice Chairman James McGovern, Division 644 (Galesburg, Ill.); 2nd Vice Chairman David Hiligoss, Division 96 (Chicago); 3rd Vice Chairman Tony Belscamper, Division 602 (Champaign, Ill.); and Secretary-Treasurer Tim Dunn, Division 24 (Centralia, Ill.).
The following alternate officers were also elected: 1st Alternate Vice Chairman Pat Randolph, Division 512 (Belleville, Ill.); 2nd Alternate Vice Chairman Norm Eisengart, Division 184 (Schiller Park, Ill.); 3rd Alternate Vice Chairman Chris Falaney, Division 683 (Chicago); and Alternate Secretary-Treasurer Dan Theileman, Division 613 (Dolton, Ill.).
“I would like to thank all those who have given me their support. I consider it to be an honor and a privilege to serve my Brothers and Sisters of the BLET as Chairman of the Illinois State Legislative Board,” Brother Piekarski said. “I am looking forward to the challenges that may lie ahead and to continue efforts to strengthen the Brotherhood.”
BLET National President Dennis Pierce attended the meeting and addressed the delegates.
“Illinois is one of our largest states in terms of railroad track mileage as well as BLET membership,” President Pierce said. “The Brothers of the Illinois State Legislative Board are a strong and united group that works hard for the membership.”
President Pierce also offered congratulations to Chairman Piekarski and the other officers elected by the delegates. “I know they will continue doing a professional job representing the legislative needs of our members in the proud state of Illinois.”
Also in attendance from the National Division were: First Vice President Lee Pruitt; National Secretary-Treasurer Bill Walpert; and Vice President & National Legislative Representative John Tolman.
Retired officers Don Lindsey, former BLE International Vice President & U.S. National Legislative Representative, and Ed Way, former Chairman of the Illinois State Legislative Board, also attended as special guests.
Several BLET State Legislative Board Chairmen from nearby states were in attendance, including: Dave Brown, Minnesota; Jeff Kurtz, Iowa; and Greg Powell, Michigan.
Leaders of the BLET Auxiliary also attended, including BLET Auxiliary National President Becky Schneider and National Legislative Representative Sereena Hogan.
The Illinois State Legislative Board represents more than 3,500 active and retired BLET members from 40 different BLET Divisions. Their members work for: Union Pacific; Norfolk Southern; BNSF Railway; CSX Transportation; Belt Railway of Chicago; Elgin Joliet & Eastern; Canadian National-Illinois Central; Iowa, Chicago & Eastern; and Metra.