CLEVELAND, May 10 — Mark L. Wallace was elected by acclamation to serve as General Chairman of the Norfolk Southern – Southern Lines General Committee of Adjustment at its quadrennial meeting in Knoxville, Tenn., on May 8.
The delegates also bid farewell to two long-serving and dedicated Brothers who announced their retirement at the meeting: General Chairman W. M. “Bill” Overton Jr. and 1st Vice Chairman & Secretary-Treasurer W. A. “Billy” Thompson.
Brother Wallace is a member of BLET Division 267 (Asheville, N.C.) and has held continuous membership in the Brotherhood since February 26, 1997.
Also elected by acclamation was Jerry G. Sturdivant of BLET Division 110 (Ludlow, Ky.), who will serve the GCA in a full-time capacity as 1st Vice General Chairman and Secretary-Treasurer.
The delegates also elected the following officers to four-year terms: 2nd Vice General Chairman Fred M. Cox, Division 52 (Baltimore, Md.); 3rd Vice General Chairman T. R. “Ty” Thompson, Division 423 (Tuscumbia, Ala.); 4th Vice General Chairman C. R. “Rusty” Jones, Division 239 (Knoxville, Tenn.); 5th Vice General Chairman Rodney A. Noakes, Division 199 (Danville, Ky.); and Alternate Vice General Chairman G. Scott Brown, Division 259 (Easton, Pa.).
The delegates also elected Regional Chairman to serve the membership, including: Coastal Region Chairman Duane C. Lance, Division 786 (Macon, Ga.); Eastern Region Chairman J. B. “Ben” Lee, Division 166 (Charlotte, N.C.); Southern Region Chairman Ty Thompson, Division 423 (Tuscumbia, Ala.); Central Region Chairman R. D. “Ronnie” Carter, Division 205 (Chattanooga, Tenn.); and Northern Region Chairman A. J. McElwee, Division 74 (Harrisburg-Enola, Pa.).
BLET First Vice President E. Lee Pruitt and National Vice President Willard Knight represented the National Division at the meeting. Other special guests included: Norfolk Southern General Chairman Bob Linsey (NS–Northern Lines); Norfolk Southern General Chairman Kevin S. Peek (NS–Eastern Lines); and 1st Vice Chairman L. Randy Fannon Jr. (NS–Eastern Lines).
“I congratulate General Chairman Wallace and all officers of the Norfolk Southern – Southern Lines General Committee,” BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce said. “They have big shoes to fill following the retirements of Brother Overton and Brother Thompson, but I am confident they will do an admirable job. On behalf of the National Division, I thank Brothers Overton and Thompson for their many years of distinguished and honorable service to the Brotherhood and offer sincere best wishes for a happy and healthy retirement.”
Brother Wallace follows in the footsteps of his father, Ray C. Wallace, who served the GCA as General Chairman from 1986-2008. Immediately prior to his election as General Chairman, Brother Wallace served the General Committee as 2nd Vice Chairman. He has also served as Local Chairman and Vice Local Chairman of Division 267.
Retiring General Chairman Bill Overton had been serving as General Chairman since 2009. He has held continuous membership in Division 239 (Knoxville, Tenn.) since joining the Brotherhood on August 1, 1974. Retiring 1st Vice Chairman Billy Thompson has held elected office on the General Committee level dating back to the Conrail era. He has held continuous membership in Division 325 (Wilkinsburg, Pa.) since joining the Brotherhood on July 1, 1977.
The BLET’s Norfolk Southern – Southern Lines General Committee of Adjustment represents more than 3,000 active members from 47 different divisions.