INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, May 12 — Ryan K. Snow was reelected by acclamation to his third term as Chairman of the California State Legislative Board during its 9th quadrennial session held in San Diego, California April 26-28, 2022.
A member of BLET Division 126 in Bakersfield, Calif., Brother Snow is a Union Pacific locomotive engineer. He first joined the Brotherhood on December 1, 1999. He hired out with the Union Pacific at Bakersfield, Calif., in 1998 and earned promotion to locomotive engineer in 1999, learning from former Vice Chairman Ron Marney. Brother Snow was elected to the office of 1st Vice Chairman at the California SLB’s 2010 quadrennial meeting and was reelected by acclamation in 2014. Brother Snow began serving his first term as Chairman following the retirement of Timothy L. Smith on January 21, 2017, and was reelected to his second term at the Board’s quadrennial session in 2018.
Also elected during the meeting were: 1st Vice Chairman Robert Tuttle, Division 692 (Tracy, Calif.); 2nd Vice Chairman John Mobley, Division 398 (San Bernardino, Calif.); Secretary-Treasurer Anthony Langel, Division 664 (San Luis Obispo, Calif.); and Alternate Secretary-Treasurer Jason Edwards, Division, Division 830 (Richmond, Calif.).
Representing the BLET National Division at the meeting were: National President Dennis Pierce; Vice President and National Legislative Representative Vince Verna; Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Eric Gabaldon; and Director of Political Affairs Brendan Sullivan.
During the quadrennial session, members of the California State Legislative Board joined President Pierce and numerous other special guests to rally by a mobile billboard that is part of the union’s outreach campaign demanding that railroads invest in train crews and safety. The BLET’s outreach campaign educates railroad investors and the general public about harsh railroad attendance policies, the dangers of PSR, and the stalled state of national contract negotiations. The message is being shared through digital and print advertising in numerous areas across the United States.
“I am proud to congratulate Chairman Snow and all California State Legislative Board officers on their election,” President Pierce said. “I also thank these Brothers and Sisters for their dedication to our Brotherhood and their support of our outreach campaign as we seek a fair settlement in the current round of national contract negotiations.”
Additional BLET guests at the meeting included: General Chairman Robby Cunningham, BNSF (former AT&SF) GCA; General Chairman Brian Carr, Union Pacific-Western Lines GCA; Oregon State Legislative Board Chairman Chris Myron; Nevada State Legislative Board Chairman Matt Parker; Iowa State Legislative Board Chairman Michael Walker; and BLET Auxiliary National Legislative Representative Jessica Cole.
Other in-person guests included: Roman Chavez, FRA MRE Specialist; Scott Wolstenhulme, FRA OP Specialist; David Evans, FRA OP Inspector; and Roger Clugston, Director, Rail Safety Division, CPUC.
Honorary speakers by video from the U.S. House of Representatives included: Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA); Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA); and Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA).
Brother Snow is a U.S. Navy veteran, having proudly served from 1982-1986. He and his wife Verna were married in 1987. In a show of support for Chairman Snow, his nomination for Chairman was introduced by Brother John Mobley, and was then seconded by 19 delegates.
“I pledge to keep the fight and continue to do the very best I can for my members and those they represent,” Brother Snow said.
The BLET California State Legislative Board represents nearly 3,000 active and retired members in 19 different Divisions.