On Wednesday, Mark Wallace was elected to his first full four-year term as National President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen at the union’s Sixth National Convention in Las Vegas.
Wallace, who previously held the union’s second-highest office, was elevated to the BLET’s top post effective May 1 last year, following the retirement of Eddie Hall.
In his acceptance speech, Wallace said he learned from his father, Ray Wallace, the importance of serving the union with integrity and putting members first. The elder Wallace served the Brotherhood as General Chairman of Norfolk Southern-Southern Lines GCA for 27 years.
“The office of National President, at least in my family, is considered the pinnacle of leadership,” President Wallace said. “To say that I am both honored and humbled is an understatement. Thank you for giving me the privilege of serving as your National President.”
Elected to join Wallace on BLET’s Executive Committee were First Vice President Gary Best and National Secretary-Treasurer David Estes. This will be Best’s first full term as First Vice President, having been elevated to the union’s second-highest office last year when Wallace became National President. Estes has served as National Secretary-Treasurer since 2023.
Reelected to round out the BLET’s Advisory Board were Vice Presidents Billy Lyons, Randy Fannon, James Logan Jr., Kevin Sexton and Jeff Thurman,, along with newly elected Vice Presidents Pat Driscoll and Rob Cunningham. Reelected to serve as National Division Trustees were Dick Crow and Kyle Bagby, while Keith Kerley was elected to his first term as Trustee.
Of note is that Shane Hubbard of Division 343 (Princeton, Ind.) and Ray Vigil of Division 226 (Newark, N.J.) were both nominated for the office of Vice President and National Legislative Representative. The contested office will be decided by a direct vote of eligible BLET members. In accordance with the Rules for the 2026 BLET National Division Officers Election, ballots will be mailed November 13, 2026, and counted December 14, 2026.
Vice Presidents Rick Gibbons and Jim Louis, both of whom are retiring after long careers in railroading and service to the union, were recognized in emotional farewell presentations.
Gibbons, the longest serving member of the Advisory Board, began his railroad career in 1972 and is currently assigned to assist BLET’s Norfolk Southern General Committees of Adjustment. Retired General Chairman Dewayne Dehart delivered remarks honoring Vice President Gibbons and his 54-year railroad career.
“I was fortunate enough to get to know Rick on a personal level. We have been through some really good times and some really rough ones,” Dehart said. “Rick helped me be a better General Chairman, but he also made me a better man, husband and father.”
Louis began his railroad career in 1976 and has served BLET members as National Vice President since 2014. Louis is assigned to assist BLET members on Amtrak and numerous commuter railroads, including Long Island Rail Road, New Jersey Transit, SEPTA, and PATH.
“After 50 years, it is time for the next generation to run this organization,” Louis said. “Like you, I couldn’t have done it without the love and caring of my wife and children, who, just like in your household, watch you come home after a long trip, go to your makeshift office in your house, and do union work for your sisters and brothers.”
The convention is scheduled to resume on Thursday for its final day when delegates will continue to review and vote on proposed changes to the Brotherhood’s bylaws and take up other convention business.
Convention attendees are also scheduled to hear addresses by Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division President Tony Cardwell and U.S. Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), who serves as the Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
Before the convention closes, delegates will participate in a Town Hall-style meeting with President Wallace and First Vice President Best to discuss the UP-NS merger.
