CLEVELAND, October 27 — C.R. (Rusty) Jones of BLET Division 239 (Knoxville, Tenn.) was elected Chairman of the Tennessee State Legislative Board at the Board’s quadrennial meeting in Nashville, Tenn., on October 18-19, 2015.
Brother Jones is a Norfolk Southern locomotive engineer who first joined the BLET effective June 1, 1998. He was elected Secretary-Treasurer of the Board in 2003 and then reelected by acclamation in 2007 and 2011. Incumbent Chairman Barry Faulkner of BLET Division 41 (Nashville, Tenn.) stepped down as Chairman with plans to retire from a 39-year railroad career.
Also elected were: 1st Vice Chairman Brett W. Guilfoose, Division 610 (Bruceton, Tenn.); 2nd Vice Chairman Chris M. Bowman, Division 782 (Etowah, Tenn.); Secretary-Treasurer D.P. (Paxton) Morton, Division 41 (Nashville, Tenn.); and Alternate Secretary-Treasurer Lee H. Myhan, Division 198 (Chattanooga, Tenn.). Elected to the Auditing Committee were: Jeff B. Rich, Division 129 (Nashville, Tenn.); T.R. (Rico) Mayfield, Division 547 (Etowah, Tenn.); and R.K. (Keith) Adkins, Division 781 (Erwin, Tenn.). All were elected by acclamation except Brother Jones and Brother Guilfoose.
Representing the BLET National Division at the meeting were: Dennis R. Pierce, National President; John P. Tolman, Vice President and National Legislative Representative; Paul T. Aird, Special Representative, Director of Organizing and Director of Mobilization–Western Region; and Matthew C. Kronyak, Special Representative and Director of Mobilization–Eastern Region.
“I offer my thanks and congratulations to Rusty Jones and all officers of the Tennessee State Legislative Board. I have every confidence they will do an excellent job representing the interests of our members in the proud state of Tennessee. I also wish to acknowledge the efforts of Brother Barry Faulkner. On behalf of the entire BLET, I offer him best wishes in his forthcoming retirement.”
Special guests at the quadrennial meeting included retired National Vice President Paul Wingo and former Tennessee State Legislative Board Chairman J.T. Little IV, who served as parliamentarian.
Brother Aird and Brother Kronyak conducted an education and training workshop. The Board had five new Legislative Representatives in attendance.
The Tennessee State Legislative Board represents 12 Divisions and nearly 1,400 active and retired members.