CLEVELAND, July 7 — Robert F. Hagan of BLET Division 757 is the new Director of Political and Legislative Affairs for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, National President Dennis R. Pierce announced today. The appointment will become effective July 13, 2015, and Brother Hagan will be headquartered at the BLET’s National Legislative Office in Washington, D.C.
Most recently a State Representative of Ohio District 58, Brother Hagan has 44 years of railroad experience and has been a member of BLET since 1997. He is a CSX locomotive engineer. In 1986, Hagan was first elected to a seat in the Ohio House of Representatives, representing the 53rd Ohio House district, centered in Youngstown, Ohio. Over the next 28 years, he has served in both the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio State Senate. He was one of 24 guest speakers at the BLET’s 150th anniversary celebration on May 8, 2013, in Detroit — the city where the Brotherhood was founded on May 8, 1863. His wife, Michele Lepore-Hagan, was elected to fill his former seat as Representative of House District 58.
At the time of Brother Hagan’s election in 1986, his father, Robert E. Hagan, was also serving in the House. Between 1986 and 1990, the Hagans were the first father and son to simultaneously hold seats in the Ohio House of Representatives.
Among other assignments, Brother Hagan will lobby for legislative issues and handle political education under the direction of National President Pierce and Vice President and National Legislative Representative John P. Tolman.
“With his wealth of knowledge, Brother Bob Hagan is a valuable addition to our National Legislative Office staff,” President Pierce said. “All BLET members will benefit from his presence on Capitol Hill thanks in large part to his railroad experience of more than 40 years and his 28-plus years in the political arena. There are many important political and legislative issues facing our Brotherhood, and I have every confidence that Brother Bob Hagan will do an excellent job of educating legislators and representing the best interests of our members.”