CLEVELAND, October 14 — Jim Wilmesher was elected by acclamation to the office of Chairman of the BLET’s Colorado State Legislative Board during the Board’s Fourth Quadrennial meetings in Westminster, Colo., from September 26-29.
Brother Wilmesher, a BNSF locomotive engineer, is a member of BLET 256 in Denver. He joined the BLET on February 1, 1998.
Also elected by acclamation during the meeting was Brother Kevin Utterback (Division 47-Denver), who will serve as 1st Vice Chairman. Other officers elected during the meeting were: Steve Wareham (Division 488-Grand Junction), 2nd Vice Chairman; Paul Pearson (Division 133-Denver), Secretary-Treasurer; and Mike Bevirt (Division 940-Denver), Alternate Secretary-Treasurer.
Outgoing Chairman Mike Weston (Division 186-Denver) did not seek reelection due to the fact that he is scheduled to retire prior to the expiration of the Chairman’s next four-year term in 2012. However, he was elected to serve as Chaplain to finish out his career with the Board.
“Mike Weston was very emotional about handing over the reins,” Chairman Wilmesher said. “Mike said he enjoyed every moment he’s spent with the members working on their behalf. He received tremendous applause for his effort, hard work, and dedication to the Colorado State Legislative Board.”
In addition to Brother Weston, other Board members who did not seek reelection due to pending retirements were Dennis Parker and Lew Fraser.
“Thanks to Dennis Parker (Div 133-Denver) for all his work and vigilance as 1st Vice Chairman,” Brother Wilmesher said. “Dennis has been with the Colorado State Legislative Board from the beginning in 1996 and has passed on his torch when his alternate (Paul Pearson) became our new Secretary-Treasurer.
“Thanks also to our 2nd Vice Chairman Lew Fraser (Division 215), from arguably the smallest and most distant division (Grand Junction, Colo.),” Chairman Wilmesher said. “Lew has participated as Legislative Representative and Local Chairman for his division and handled each with vigor. He will be a difficult man to replace.”
Chairman Wilmesher said that the Fourth Quadrennial was a success — and although it occurred during an extremely busy time legislatively speaking (with the Democratic National Convention, financial crisis, and national elections) — the new leadership is prepared to take the reins.
“I wish to thank all those in attendances for their contribution and hard work over the last four years,” he said. “I thank the Executive Board for their efforts above and beyond the norm. I specifically want to thank George Last, Steve Patterson (former S-T), and Mike Weston, for including me, mentoring me, and having confidence in me to follow in their footsteps.
“The Board would like to thank Frank Koshak, George Last, Ken Casper, Lew Fraser, Dennis Parker, and Mike Weston as our outgoing Legisaltive Representatives and Officers for their hard work and diligence.
“Finally, we all owe a lot to George Last for having the vision to get the Colorado Legislative Board started and to invigorate it through his 12 years of service.
“I look forward to working with my LR””s in handling the business of the Colorado Legislative Board and serving the members we represent.”
Chairman Wilmesher also thanked sponsors Alan Cover (Aflac Insurance) and designated legal counsel Jim Cox (Rossi, Cox, Vucinovich, Bremseth and Flaskamp, PC) for their support.
“They provided information on their services and supported the Legislative Board and our member””s interests throughout our term,” he said.