J. Mark Robb is the International President of the BR&CF. It is his firm belief that a BR&CF membership is a necessity for all rail workers and their families. He says, "In today's rail industry we are faced with uncertain conditions and precarious situations every time we go to work. BR&CF job income protection is a shield against financial upheaval for railroaders (and their families) in the event that they become "Held Out of Service."

Mr. Robb became a member of this organization in 1990 and earned an appointment to the position of terminal president for Vancouver the next year. In 1992, he accepted an appointment to serve on the Board of Directors. At the 1993 Annual Meeting of the Members, he was elected Director. In 1997 he was elected Assistant International President.  He was elected International Secretary-Treasurer in 2001.  In April 2006 he became International President.

Born in 1951, Mr. Robb completed his high school education in southern Ontario. His travels took him to Thunder Bay in northern Ontario, where in May of 1972 he began employment with the Canadian National Railway. He chose to transfer with the railway to western Canada and worked in Jasper, Alberta, for five years before moving to Vancouver, British Columbia.  His active railroad career in the “running trades” has covered twenty-seven years, and he has  worked as a yard switchman, yard foreman, brakeman, conductor and locomotive engineer. In the capacity of on-the-job trainer, he shared his experience and assisted in the education of student locomotive engineers. He has worked in yard, through freight, switcher and passenger service.

Mr. Robb is a staunch trade unionist. He worked as a member of the BLE Division 945 Local Committee of Adjustment and completed three terms as the Legislative Representative before devoting his undivided attention to health and safety concerns. His experience with health and safety issues extends over two decades. He served as a union Co-Chairperson of the Health & Safety Committee the majority of that time. He is a qualified CN instructor on health & safety topics.

The accomplishments of Mr. Robb are not limited to the local union level. He was responsible for the BLE International Division participation in SteamExpo, which was a 10-day specialized event of the 1986 World Exposition on Transportation. In 1986, as a member of the BLE Committee for the Future, he participated in strategic planning projects for the locomotive engineer's union. In 1991 he organized the International Western Convention, which is a regional meeting of the BLE. That same year, he assisted with the BLE exhibit at California's Railfair 91. In 1992 he was elected Secretary-Treasurer of the International Western Convention and served in that position until 1999. He has also taken part in community affairs by serving on the Board of Directors of the CNR Employees Credit Union. Mr. Robb is presently the Secretary of the North American Railway Foundation.

Mr. Robb and his wife, Leslie, are blessed with three daughters, Meaghan, Jessica, and Laura. He takes pleasure in hiking, bicycling and downhill skiing with his family. He and his family moved to Pennsylvania in 1999, when he began working in the Principal Office. Mr. Robb states, "With the support of the Board of Directors, Officers, staff and the BR&CF membership, I will continue to work diligently to ensure that each member's expectation of excellent service, reliability and value is met or exceeded"  

M. A. ("Tony")  Wofford

Mr. Wofford resides in New Albany, Indiana, with his beautiful wife, Nancy.  He has been a member of the Brotherhood's Relief and Compensation Fund since 1974, and an Obtainer, Terminal President and member of the Board of Directors.  Brother Wofford is totally committed to working for the Members.

Mr. Wofford has been employed with the CSX Railroad.  He hired in the Maintenance of Way Department in 1967, then transferred to the Communications Department in late 1967.  He transferred to the Transportation Department in 1972, and was promoted to locomotive engineer in January 1974.  Mr. Wofford is presently Local Chairman of BLE Division 78, in Louisville, Kentucky.

His main hobby is fishing.

Jesse E. Taylor

Brother Taylor joined the BR&CF in 1996 seeking the best “Job Income Protection” in North America and started obtaining members in 1999.  He was appointed Terminal President of Dupo, Illinois, in August of 2002.  In October 2002, he accepted an appointment to serve on the Board of Directors.  At the 2003 Annual Meeting of the Members, he was elected as a director and served in that capacity until his appointment to the position of Assistant International Secretary-Treasurer in September 2004.

Brother Taylor arrived in the principal office in November 2004 seeking not only to embark on the challenges of his new position, but also to prove his worthiness of such an appointment.  He feels that his age, 34, combined with his 10 years of service on the railroad will prove to be a tremendous asset to the organization and its members.

He hired out on the CNW in January of 1995 at South Pekin, Illinois, as a brakeman/conductor.  Shortly thereafter, he was forced to work out of Proviso (Chicago), Illinois.  He entered engine service in January of 1996.   After the UP merger, he transferred to St. Louis in September of 1996.

Brother Taylor is currently a member of BLE&T Division 118.  He served on the Local Committee of Adjustment and also as the Legislative Representative for his division.

Prior to hiring on the railroad, Brother Taylor served six years in the United States Navy as a fire control technician for the Spy-1B(V) radar.  He served on both coasts, completing two six month deployments.  His first deployment in 1991 took him to the Persian Gulf on the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61) based out of San Diego.  His second deployment in 1993 placed him off the coast of Bosnia on the “Aegis” cruiser USS Vicksburg (CG-69) based out of Mayport, Florida.  He received numerous medals and awards during his six year tour. 

Brother Taylor’s wife, Michelle, and their two children currently reside in Troy, Illinois.  In his spare time, he enjoys participating in and supporting his children in their hobbies.  His four-year old son, Carson, recently completed his first motocross race in Rolla, Missouri, and his seven-year old daughter, Sydney, is an avid gymnast.

L. V. Galati

In 1972 Brother Galati started his railroad career with U. S. Steel in Homestead, Pennsylvania, in the mill’s M of W gang.  He then worked for the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad, also in the M of W.  In 1974 he became a brakeman for the Penn Central Railroad.  In 1976 he entered Engine Service for Conrail and was promoted in 1978.  Since 1999 Brother Galati has been with the Norfolk Southern working as an Engineer.

Brother Galati has been a member of the BR&CF since 1998 and was appointed Terminal President in 2003. In 2004 he was appointed as a Director and at the 2005 Annual Meeting of the Members he was elected Assistant International President. In April 2006 he was appointed to the position of Assistant International Secretary-Treasurer, and continues to serve in that capacity. He is also the International Chaplain of the BR&CF.