Members and officers of the BLET California State Legislative Board visited the California State Railroad Museum in Old Town Sacramento as part of their 2026 quadrennial meeting. In the background is Virginia & Truckee Railroad steam locomotive 18 Dayton, which was built in 1873. Front row, from left: Ben Pechner, Div. 144; Gabe Chavez, Div. 65; Ulises Flotte, Div. 20; CA SLB 1st Vice Chairman Jacob Young, Div. 692; CA SLB Secretary-Treasurer Jason Edwards, Div. 839; Thomas Quinzel, Div. 214; Kenny Abell, Div. 553 (proxy); and Damon Allen, Div. 662. Back row, from left: Sherwin Clemente, Div. 5 (proxy); Jacob Klatt, Div. 126; Rob Walsh, Div. 56; CA SLB 2nd Vice Chairman Gerald Padilla Jr., Div. 660; CA SLB Chairman Robert Tuttle, Div. 692; CA SLB Alt. Secretary/Treasurer Chris Camara, Div. 283; Josh Faulkner, Div. 739; Jeff Sturgis, Div. 415; John Mobley, Div. 398; and Cliff Owen, Div. 425.
Robert Tuttle was elected Chairman of the California State Legislative Board (CASLB) during its 10th quadrennial session held in Sacramento on April 28 and 29. Tuttle is a Union Pacific locomotive engineer and member of BLET Division 692 (Tracy, Calif.). The CA SLB represents more than 2,800 active and retired members in 17 different Divisions.
Also elected were: 1st Vice Chairman Jacob Young, Division 692 (Tracy, Calif.); 2nd Vice Chairman Gerald Padilla Jr., Division 660 (Los Angeles, Calif.); Secretary-Treasurer Jason Edwards, Division 839 (Richmond, Calif.); and Alternate Secretary-Treasurer Chris Camara, Division 283 (Oakland, Calif.). Joining Brothers Tuttle and Camara on the Executive Committee are: Josh Faulkner, Division 739 (Bakersfield, Calif.); Ulises Flotte, Division 20 (Los Angeles, Calif.); and Thomas Quinzel, Division 214 (Long Beach, Calif.).
In 2018, Tuttle was elected to a four-year term to serve as part of the CA SLB’s Executive Committee, and in 2022 he was elected 1st Vice Chairman. He began serving as Chairman earlier this year following the unexpected passing of late Chairman Ryan Snow. Tuttle began his service to the BLET when he was elected Legislative Representative of Division 692 in 2014, winning reelection in 2018. He hired out with the Union Pacific Railroad in Roseville, Calif., on February 14, 2004, and earned promotion to locomotive engineer on October 8, 2004.
Delegates held a memorial service in memory Brother Snow as a part of their 2026 quadrennial meeting.
Click here for a photo gallery from the 2026 CASLB quadrennial meeting.