INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, October 20 — Brother Paul E. Pearson of BLET Division 133 (Denver, Colo.) was elected by acclamation to serve as Chairman of the Colorado State Legislative Board at its quadrennial meeting on September 19, 2016, in Golden, Colo.
A Union Pacific locomotive engineer, Brother Pearson hired out with the Southern Pacific in August of 1994. He earned promotion to locomotive engineer in 1995 and joined the Brotherhood effective August 1, 1995. Over the years, Brother Pearson has served Division 133 as Legislative Representative, Trustee, Alternate Secretary-Treasurer and Alternate Legislative Representative. His service to the Colorado State Legislative Board began in 2008 when he was elected to serve as Secretary-Treasurer, an office he was reelected to by acclamation in 2012. Brother Pearson serves as Mobilization Captain for the BLET’s Union Pacific membership in Colorado.
Also elected during the 2016 quadrennial meeting were: 1st Vice Chairman Michael C. Bevirt, Division 940 (Denver, Colo.); 2nd Vice Chairman Christopher J. Sherwood, Division 505 (La Junta, Colo.); Secretary-Treasurer Robert L. Montoya, Division 940 (Denver, Colo.); and Alternate Secretary-Treasurer Richard A. Aguilar, Division 256 (Denver, Colo.).
“Congratulations to Brother Pearson and all officers of the Colorado State Legislative Board,” BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce said. “I thank them for their willingness to actively serve our Brotherhood, and I have every confidence they will do an excellent job of representing our Brothers and Sisters in Colorado. Also, I wish to thank Brother Jim Wilmesher for his years of service to the Colorado State Legislative Board. I am also pleased to extend best wishes to long-serving 1st Vice Chairman Kevin Utterback on his pending retirement.”
Special BLET guests at the meeting included: General Chairman Dave Geisler, Union Pacific-Eastern District General Committee of Adjustment; and Local Chairman Mike J. Quick, Division 133 (Denver, Colo.). Representing the BLET Auxiliary at the meeting were officers of the Mile High Auxiliary #5280 out of Denver: Steffiny Quick, President; and Karyn Beisner, Legislative Representative. J.D. Archie, Federal Railroad Administration Region 6 Field Safety Inspector, was also in attendance.
Outgoing chairman Jim Wilmesher, Division 256 (Denver), did not seek reelection due to family obligations.
“I am honored to follow in the (large) footsteps of past Legislative Board Chairmen Brothers George Last, Mike Weston and Jim Wilmesher,” Brother Pearson said. “I especially want to thank Brother Wilmesher for his eight years spent as Chairman. We all benefited from Jim’s time and dedication spent working on behalf of the Brotherhood, more so than many realize. To me, he was much more than just my boss, he was a mentor and has become a close friend. Jim will continue to be a valuable resource and I won’t hesitate to seek his advice and opinion.”
Brother Wilmesher will continue to serve the Board as Chaplain, replacing Brother Mike Weston, Division 186 (Denver, Colo.).
Brother Pearson said the newly-elected Executive Board will continue to focus on member participation, safety, education and training as well as a specific focus on Railroad Retirement, national crew-size legislation, as well as potential Positive Train Control implementation.
The Colorado State Legislative Board represents 11 BLET Divisions and approximately 550 active members.