Post date: Jan 26, 2015 4:53:43 PM

Pat Lynch elected Chairman of New Mexico State Legislative Board

CLEVELAND, November 28 — Pat Lynch of BLET Division 446 (Belen, N.M.) was elected by acclamation to serve as Chairman of the newly-formed New Mexico State Legislative Board at meetings in Albuquerque, N.M., on November 13-14, 2012.

“This is a proud moment for our members in New Mexico and our entire Brotherhood,” BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce said. “I congratulate all those who worked so hard to restore our State Legislative Board in New Mexico.”

A BNSF locomotive engineer, Brother Lynch has held continuous membership in the Brotherhood since he first joined on June 1, 1993.

Additional officers also elected by acclamation were: First Vice Chairman Brian Jenne, Division 811 (Clovis, N.M.); 2nd Vice Chairman Gilbert Tafoya, Division 791 (Belen, N.M.); Secretary-Treasurer Pamela Cipolla, Division 400 (Albuquerque, N.M.); Alternate Secretary-Treasurer Stan Porch, Division 446 (Belen, N.M.); and Chaplain Rick Spears, Division 811 (Clovis, N.M.).

Representing the BLET National Division at the meeting were: National President Pierce; First Vice President E. Lee Pruitt; Vice President and National Legislative Representative John Tolman; and Special Representative Kent Confer.

Several BLET State Legislative Board Chairmen were in attendance, including: Terry Briggs (Texas); Dave Lavery (Florida); and Jim Wilmesher (Colorado). Retired Colorado State Legislative Board Chairmen Mike Weston and George Last were also in attendance.

Barbie Lynch was also in attendance to represent the BLET Auxiliary.

Delegates in attendance at the inaugural meeting included: Brother Jenne, Legislative Representative of Division 811; Sister Cipolla, Division 400; Dwayne Tafoya, Local Chairman Division 791; Rick Switzer, Local Chairman of Division 811; Brother Porch, Division 446; Jeremy McFather, Local Chairman of Division 446; Eric Gabaldon, Local Chairman of Division 400; and Brother Spears, Secretary-Treasurer of Division 811. In addition to electing officers, the delegates voted to adopt bylaws for the Board and handled numerous issues for the good of the order.

The New Mexico State Legislative Board represents approximately 450 active and retired members throughout the state.