Officers, members, and guests at the Pennsylvania State Legislative Board’s 2026 quadrennial meeting.
Adam Kaufman was elected Chairman of the Pennsylvania State Legislative Board at its sixth quadrennial meeting in Hershey, Pa., held September 2-3. It is his first term in the role. A third-generation railroader, Kaufman is a Norfolk Southern locomotive engineer and a member of BLET Division 325 in Wilkinsburg, Pa.
The BLET Pennsylvania State Legislative Board represents more than 2,100 active and retired members from 13 BLET Divisions. Brother Kaufman is the Board’s fifth chairman since its founding in 1986.
Also elected during the quadrennial meeting were: 1st Vice Chairman Tim Laveing, Division 325 (Wilkinsburg, Pa.); 2nd Vice Chairman Peter Fernandez, Division 757 (New Castle, Pa.); 3rd Vice Chairman Gary Trice, Division 370 (Pittsburgh, Pa.); Secretary-Treasurer Rob McLean, Division 325 (Wilkinsburg, Pa.); and Alternate Secretary-Treasurer James O’Donnell, Division 74 (Harrisburg-Enola, Pa.). Elected to serve as Trustees were: Gary Trice, Division 370 (Pittsburgh, Pa.); Ray Corr, Division 259 (Eason, Pa.); and John Wagner, Division 287 (Altoona, Pa.).
BLET National President Mark Wallace addressed the delegates via Zoom, giving a detailed report on BLET’s opposition to the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger and how it would affect all other railroads. In-person guests included: Brendan Sullivan, BLET Director of Political Affairs; John Esterly, Chairman of the Ohio State Legislative Board (who served as Parliamentarian during the meeting); and Sam Schatz, 1st Vice Chairman of the Ohio State Legislative Board (who recorded the minutes during the meeting).
Kaufman has served as 3rd Vice Chairman of the PA SLB since 2022. “I thank outgoing Chairman Tim Laveing for his leadership and guidance, and for helping me prepare for this new role,” Kaufman said.
