INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, September 29 — Tyler G. Jones was elected by acclamation to his first full term as Chairman of the Kansas Legislative Board at its quadrennial meeting in Kansas City, Kan., held from September 12-13, 2016.
Brother Jones hired out on January 5, 1995 with the St. Louis Southwestern in Herington, Kan. Since 1997, he has been a locomotive engineer with Union Pacific and member of Division 740, (Pratt, Kan.). He served as Division Secretary-Treasurer for nine years, and Vice-Local Chairman and Local Chairman for five years. Currently, he is Vice Local Chairman and Legislative Representative of Division 740. He was elected 2nd Vice Chairman of the Kansas State Legislative Board in 2012.
Also elected were: 1st Vice Chairman Scott W. Newell, Division 336 (Osawatomie, Kan.); 2nd Vice Chairman William E. Brake, Division 237 (Fort Scott, Kan.); Secretary-Treasurer Willie E. Tilsworth, Division 130 (Kansas City, Kan.); and Alternate S-T Brandon D. Nunnenkamp, Division 130 (Kansas City, Kan.).
Elected to serve as Trustees were: Shad M. Bremer, Division 90 (Council Grove, Kan.); Phil D. Taylor, Division 130 (Kansas City, Kan.); and Jason S. Hiles, Division 777 (Argentine, Kan.).
National officers in attendance were: First Vice President E. Lee Pruitt and Vice President and National Legislative Representative John P. Tolman.
“I congratulate Brother Jones and all officers of the Kansas State Legislative Board,” BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce said. “I thank them for their dedication and willingness to serve our Brotherhood. I have every confidence they will do an excellent job representing the interests of our members in the proud state of Kansas.”
Special guest speakers included: Senator Anthony Hensley, Kansas Senate Minority Leader; Rep. Tom Burroughs, Kansas House Minority Leader; Pat S. Pfeifer, Chairman of the Nebraska State Legislative Board; and Brian P. Kelley, Chairman of the Missouri State Legislative Board.
Brother James Tiede, retired Chairman of the Kansas State Legislative Board, was also in attendance. The delegates recognized him and thanked him for his service to the Board.
The Kansas State Legislative Board represents approximately 1,100 members from three railroads: Burlington Northern Santa Fe, Union Pacific and Kansas City Southern.