Cynthia Pesta,  Administrative Assistant to the President

Arbitration Department
Steven V. Powers, Assistant to the President

Located in Chicago, Illinois, the Arbitration Department is administered by the Assistant to the President. He and his staff review and prepare submissions for each individual claim which is referred to them for proper progression through the required levels of appeal. The duties of the BMWED NRAB Member include attending Third Division hearings, third party hearings, panel discussions, and other meetings called by the Chairman of the Third Division. In addition, this department, when assigned, reviews, prepares and presents submissions for special boards of adjustment, public law boards, or any other body where the BMWED is required to represent the membership.

Communications Department
Randall Brassell   Director of Communications

The Director's primary responsibility is the production of the BMWED's official trade publication, the BMWED JOURNAL, including reporting, writing, editing and layout. Other responsibilities include the production and distribution of news releases and other public relations communications; developing contacts and maintaining relationships with the media; as well as oversight, maintenance and development of the BMWED  Web Site.   

Safety Department
Richard A. Inclima, Director of Safety

The Director of Safety is responsible for the gathering and compiling of safety statistics and data to be used when working with committees, negotiations, and preparing for testimony and presentations at hearings, inquisitions and before policy and law making bodies, including the Rail Safety Advisory Committee, FRA, OSHA, NTSB, and  Congress. The purpose of the Department is to improve the health and safety conditions of BMWED members through a combination of regulatory oversight, federal rulemaking, and safety and health education and training.

Education Department

The Director of Education duties include the development and implementation of educational programs designed to meet the needs of the BMWED from the local lodges to the National Division level. The purpose of this department is to assist our officers and membership by improving their ability to interact: within the union; between union and management; between the union and the public and between the union and local, state and federal government agencies.

Legal Department
William A. Bon, General Counsel

The General Counsel is the BMWED's legal advisor. Working closely with all the officers of the BMWED it is the duty of the General Counsel to ensure that the BMWED meets the requirements of the law and administrative requirements of the government including the Department of Labor and IRS.

Legislative Department
Charlie Hogue,  Director of Government Affairs

The Director of Government Affairs, working closely with the Director of Strategic Coordination and Research, is responsible for lobbying activities related to federal legislation affecting our members and relations with various federal agencies in connection with matters of interest to the BMWED. This person also directs the State Legislative Directors' activities and is responsible for the administration of the BMWED's Legislative Department.

Organizing Department
Timothy McCall, Director of Organizing

The Director of Organizing works closely with the local lodges, system divisions and federations and all the various committees and bodies of the BMWED. The Director is responsible for organizing new members, mobilizing the membership on subjects decided by the President and training local lodge, system division and federation officers on organizing, strike preparation and other duties assigned by the President.

Director of Strategic Coordination and Research

Donald F. Griffin, Director of Strategic Coordination & Research

The Director is responsible for coordinating national bargaining, assisting in the development of a strategic plan for the BMWED, assisting the various systems and federations in the coordination of strategic planning for collective bargaining and working on special projects assigned by the President. The Director's duties also include gathering and compiling statistics to be used in wage negotiations, conferences or hearings before arbitration boards, or other constituted bodies when instructed to do so by the President; assists in the administration and application of agreements at the national and system levels; as well as providing the National Division President and Vice Presidents with assistance on various matters of importance to the BMWED.