INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, March 29 — B.J. Trumble was reelected by acclamation to his fourth term as Chairman of the Michigan State Legislative Board at the Board’s Fifth Quadrennial meeting in Lansing, Michigan, March 7-9, 2022.
A CN/Grand Trunk Western locomotive engineer, Brother Trumble is a member of BLET Division 33 in Battle Creek, Mich. He has held continuous membership in the Brotherhood since July 1, 1997. Brother Trumble was elected 1st Vice Chairman at the Board’s quadrennial meeting in 2006, and moved up to Chairman in 2008 following the retirement of Gregory D. Powell, the Board’s founding Chairman. Brother Trumble was reelected by acclamation to the Chairman’s office at quadrennial meetings in 2010, 2014 and 2018.
“I absolutely love this job representing our Michigan Brothers and Sisters and this great union in our state capitol,” Chairman Trumble said. “I think we have made our voice heard on several issues with our representatives in our great state. I want to thank all our delegates that attended our 5th Quadrennial in Lansing on March 7-9. Your dedication to our Board is what keeps our voices relevant in the state capitol.”
Also elected during the meeting were: Secretary-Treasurer and 2nd Vice Chairman Lee H. Lovelette, Division 19 (Detroit, Mich.), an Amtrak locomotive engineer; and 1st Vice Chairman Ryan M. Morris, Division 2 (Jackson, Mich.), a Norfolk Southern engineer. Trustees elected during the meeting were: Matt M. Lashley, Division 122 (Port Huron, Mich.), a CN-GTW engineer; Ed T. Donnelly, Division 542 (Detroit, Mich.), a CSX engineer; and Tim Coppess, Division 33 (Battle Creek, Mich.), a CN-GTW engineer.
Representing the BLET National Division at the meeting were: National President Dennis R. Pierce; Vice President and National Legislative Representative Vincent G. Verna; and Director of Political Affairs Brendan P. Sullivan.
“Congratulations to Brother Trumble and all officers and delegates of the Michigan State Legislative Board,” President Pierce said. “I have every confidence that Brother Trumble and his team will continue doing an excellent job of representing the voice of BLET members from the proud state of Michigan. Also, I would like to congratulate Brother Andy Goulet on his retirement and thank him for his years of dedicated service to our Brotherhood.”
Brother Goulet, the outgoing Secretary-Treasurer, is the last of the original members of the Michigan State Legislative Board, having served as a delegate when the Board was founded in 2002. Brother Goulet has served the Board as Secretary-Treasurer continuously since he was first elected in 2006. He was also elected 2nd Vice Chairman in 2010 and 2014, moving up to the 1st Vice Chairman’s position later in each term to fill vacancies. Most recently, he was reelected by acclamation in 2018 to serve as 1st Vice Chairman and Secretary-Treasurer.
“Andy Goulet has been a great asset to our Board for the past two decades,” Chairman Trumble said. “Andy has attended all five quadrennial meetings, four of which he has been our Secretary-Treasurer. I wish Andy a long and healthy retirement and thank you for your service to our Brotherhood. He has made us a better union and he will be missed.”
Additional BLET guests at the quadrennial meeting included: Shane Hubbard, Indiana State Legislative Board Chairman; Chuck Schulz, Wisconsin State Legislative Board Chairman; Chris Falaney, Illinois State Legislative Board Chairman; and John Esterly, Ohio State Legislative Board Chairman.
Brother Trumble hired out as a switchman with the Grand Trunk Western Railroad in 1994. He worked his way up over the years to brakemen, then conductor, and eventually locomotive engineer. He joined the Brotherhood in 1997 when he became a certified locomotive engineer. He then was recruited to be the Legislative Representative for Division 33 in 2002, the year the Michigan State Legislative Board was formed by founder Greg Powell. Brother Trumble attended the first Michigan State Legislative Board quadrennial meeting in 2006, where he was elected to the office of 1st Vice Chairman.
The Michigan State Legislative Board was founded on February 28, 2002. It represents nearly 1,000 active and retired members from 13 different BLET Divisions.