INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, September 28 — Brother David S. Lavery was reelected by acclamation to his sixth term as Chairman of the Florida State Legislative Board at the Board’s quadrennial meeting in Tampa, Fla., on September 13, 2016.
The meeting marked 20 years since the Board was reestablished in Florida. Brother Lavery, a CSX locomotive engineer from Division 216 (Tampa, Fla.), has the distinction of continuously serving as the Board’s chairman since 1996. He first joined the BLET on October 1, 1985.
Also elected during the meeting were: 1st Vice Chairman Brendan P. Sullivan, Division 769 (Sanford, Fla.); 2nd Vice Chairman P.S. (Shawn) Sausville, Division 309 (Jacksonville, Fla.); Secretary-Treasurer David P. Wyatt, Division 216 (Tampa, Fla.); and Alternate Secretary-Treasurer Nicholas E. Diorio, Division 49 (Miami, Fla.).
Elected to serve as Trustees were: P.S. (Shawn) Sausville, Division 309 (Jacksonville, Fla.); Matthew E. Rahn, Division 35 (Jacksonville, Fla.); Nicholas E. Diorio, Division 49 (Miami, Fla.); and Cameron D. Razi, Division 216 (Tampa, Fla.).
Representing the National Division at the meeting were: National President Dennis R. Pierce; First Vice President E. Lee Pruitt; Vice President and National Legislative Representative John P. Tolman; and National Vice President Gil L. Gore.
“Brother Lavery has served BLET members in Florida with distinction for many years. I am proud to offer my congratulations and thanks to him and all officers of the Florida State Legislative Board,” President Pierce said. “They will have their plates full between now and November 8, but I have every confidence that they are up to the challenge.”
Additional guests included: General Chairman Gary D. Best, CSXT-Eastern Lines General Committee of Adjustment; Retired Local Chairman M.L. Tanner, Division 769 (Sanford, Fla.) and former Secretary-Treasurer of the CSXT-Eastern Lines GCA; and Tampa City Council Member Guido Maniscalco (District 6).
Immediately following the quadrennial meeting, the National Division officers participated in a Town Hall meeting with members of BLET Division 216 at the Teamsters Local 79 union hall in Tampa. The National officers spoke of the many issues facing the Brotherhood, including the national elections coming up in November. Also, Brother Gore and Brother Best discussed some of the local issues facing the members of Division 216 and the CSXT-Eastern Lines GCA.
The BLET Florida State Legislative Board represents approximately 400 locomotive engineers and conductors from six Divisions throughout the state. They work for CSX and Amtrak.