CLEVELAND, June 3 — Rick C. Gibbons was reelected by acclamation as General Chairman of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (former STL-SF) General Committee of Adjustment at quadrennial meetings in Kansas City, May 19-22, 2009.
Of special note is the fact that the entire General Committee was reelected by acclamation, something Brother Gibbons is very proud of.
“We had a very productive meeting and I’m very proud the committee was kept intact,” Gibbons said. “Everyone was reelected by acclamation. We stressed working together as a committee and that was reflected in the voting.”
Also reelected by acclamation were: 1st Vice Chairman Randy Dumey, Division 595 (Chaffee, Mo); 2nd Vice Chairman George Haskins, Division 672 (Memphis, Tenn.); 3rd Vice Chairman Jeff Thurman, Division 604 (Madill, Okla.); and Secretary-Treasurer Tim Stipp, Division 507 (Monett, Mo.). The delegates also created a new position — 4th Vice Chairman — which H.C. Rolen of Division 285 (Thayer, Mo.) filled by acclamation.
Also reelected by acclamation were: Alternate Vice Keith Buterbaugh, Division 567 (Springfield, Mo.); and Alternate Secretary-Treasurer Natalie Stipp, Division 507. Natalie is the daughter of Tim Stipp.
Brother Gibbons is a member of BLET Division 502 (Kansas City, Mo.) He is beginning his third term as General Chairman. He was first elected to the office of General Chairman in 2001 and then reelected in 2005. Immediately prior to winning election in 2001, he served as Local Chairman of Division 502 and 1st Vice Chairman of the BNSF (STL-SF) GCofA.
Several BLET National Division officers attended the meeting and addressed the delegates, including: National President Ed Rodzwicz; National Secretary-Treasurer Bill Walpert; Vice President & National Legislative Representative John Tolman; and Vice President Steve Speagle, who is assigned to the BNSF properties.
Also, three visiting General Chairmen attended the meetings: Matt O. Wilson, BNSF-MRL; Pat J. Williams, BNSF (former ATSF); and Mike D. Priester, CP Rail System/U.S.
The BNSF (former STL-SF) General Committee of Adjustment represents nearly 800 locomotive engineers from 17 different divisions, including engineers and trainmen for the BNSF Railway and the Missouri & Northern Arkansas Railroad.