(The following appeared on the Progressive Railroading website on July 13, 2010.)
Long-time Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) Labor Member V. M. “Butch” Speakman Jr. recently announced plans to retire.
“I intend to retire once my replacement has been confirmed by the Senate, but no sooner than January 1, 2011,” Speakman said in a letter dated July 7 to Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division President Freddie Simpson.
Speakman has served the RRB — which administers the railroad retirement system — since he was first appointed to the board by President George H.W. Bush in 1992. He previously was president of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) from 1987 to 1992. Prior to that, he served BRS as vice president, director of research, grand lodge representative and local lodge chairman.
Speakman began his railroading career as a signalman and foreman for the Penn Central Railroad.