James Tiede elected Chairman of Kansas State Legislative Board
CLEVELAND, July 18 — James (Jim) Tiede was elected by acclamation to serve as Chairman of the Kansas State Legislative Board during the Board’s quadrennial meeting in Kansas City, Kan., July 17-18, 2012.
Brother Tiede, a member of BLET Division 587 (Salina, Kan.), is a Union Pacific locomotive engineer. Immediately prior to his election, Brother Tiede served as 2nd Vice Chairman of the Kansas State Legislative Board. He has held continuous membership since first joining the Brotherhood on June 1, 1979.
Also elected by acclamation was 1st Vice-Chairman Steve Facklam of BLET Division 130 (Kansas City, Kan). Tyler Jones, Division 740 (Pratt, Kan.) was elected 2nd Vice-Chairman. Scott Newell of Division 336 (Osawatomie, Kan) elected Secretary-Treasurer. William Tillsworth of Division 777 (Kansas City, Kan.) was elected by acclamation to the Alternate Secretary-Treasurer position.
Three members were elected by acclamation to serve on the Audit Committee, including: Jim Rosebaugh Jr., Division 224 (Marysville, Kan.); William Tillsworth, Division 777 (Kansas City, Kan.); and Dustin Bishop, Division 64, (Newton, Kan.).
The Board gave special recognition to longtime State Chairman James Keele, Division 336, who retired. Also retiring this year was longtime State Board Secretary-Treasurer J. R. (Rich) Dame and former 1st Vice-Chairman Rick Lewis, who succeeded Keele as State Chairman for a brief period following his retirement at the beginning of July.
Representing the National Division at the meeting were: National President Dennis R. Pierce; 1st Vice President E. Lee Pruitt; National Secretary-Treasurer William C. Walpert; Vice President and National Legislative Representative John P. Tolman; and National Vice President Cole Davis.
“Brother Tiede and his newly-elected team of officers have big shoes to fill, but I know they will do an excellent job of representing our membership in Kansas,” President Pierce said. “This is an important election year and they definitely have their work cut out for them. I would also like to thank Brother Keele, Brother Dame and Brother Lewis for their many years of dedicated service to our Brotherhood.”
Additional special guests included Anthony Hensley, Kansas Senate Minority Leader, and Paul Davis, Kansas House Democratic Leader. Both discussed the upcoming State elections.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
bentley@ble.org
