I am Lanny Ruck and that is me with my daughters, Lela
and Lana, on July 4, 1999 camping in the Gila Wilderness. My entire family is pictured
above and identified on the El Paso Express Home Page.
I was born in Brooklyn, New York on November 13, 1945,
son of Fred M.. Ruck of Brooklyn and Sidney "Sadie" Belle Hawkins of Tuscaloosa,
Alabama. My older brother Marty lives in Coral Springs, Florida and is an insurance
auditor for American General. While my beloved mother died of cancer several years ago, my
father, age 83, has apparently beaten cancer for now and takes care of my children when
they are not in school and my wife and I are working. He is a retired Army Colonel with 32
years of Service.
My family moved to El Paso, Texas in 1946 when my father
was stationed at Ft. Bliss Air Defense Center. I grew up in El Paso, attending Hillside
Elementary School ( my children also attend Hillside now) and Burgus High School. I
attended New Mexico State University (NMSU) and University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)
between 1963 and 1968, where I accumulated over a 140 hours of credits but no degree. I
was drafted in the summer of 1968 after dropping out of school.
I attended Officer Candidate School and Army Aviation
School. I served as a helicopter pilot in Viet Nam with the 101st Airborne
Division, spent 5 years in the Army, and was a Captain when I caught the Reduction in
Forces in 1973. I flew over 1100 combat hours and received numerous medals, including good
conduct medal, bronze star, and distinguished flying cross. I worked as an insurance
auditor for approximately 6 months before I went to work for the ATSF Railway Company in
May of 1974.
I became involved in the union and discipline
investigations several years after hiring out and won my first union position as
Legislative Representative in 1980. I still serve in that position today and have 19 years
of continuous service on the Texas Legislative Board. I became the alternate delegate in
the early 80s and secretary treasurer in 1984. I became the Local Chairman for Conductors,
Brakemen, and Yardmen in 1985 and served in that position until 1995 (actually Dec. 1 of
1994). I was the 1571 Delegate to the 1991 Quadrennial Convention in Hawaii where I was
elected to the Yard position of the International Board of Appeals, an internal union
board pursuant to Article 27 which hears appeals pursuant to Article 75 of the UTU
Constitution. I served in that position for four years. I also have served as the
insurance representative and Alternate Vice General Chairman. I currently serve Local 1571
as Delegate, Legislative Representative, and Local Chairman (CT&Y).
In 1985 I married Melissa M. Fiegel Healy and we have
two children, Lela Madeline, age 10 and Lana Melanie, age 8. Melissa has worked many years
in the Automobile industry and is currently the Comptroller for Hoy Fox Automotive Group
in El Paso.
During my 25 year railroad career, I have worked as a
Conductor, Brakeman, and Yardmen in El Paso, Belen, Albuquerque, Raton, and La Junta. I
have a 1978 seniority date in Clovis, Carlsbad, and Belen. Since the birth of my first
daughter, I have remained in the El Paso Yard exclusively.
My education, background, and length of service in every
facet of union functions have allowed me to develop excellent communications skills, both
oral and written. In addition to writing cases on the Board of Appeals, I have written
numerous and extensive appeals/submissions/briefs and/or letters concerning discipline,
harassment, safety, morale, injustice, complaints, etc. to Railroads, Unions, Governmental
Agencies, and the Courts. I also possess the necessary computer and technical skills to
perform the functions of an International Vice President.
I shall make more extensive information concerning my
skills, abilities, experiences, and history available as we approach the Convention.
Fraternally,
Lance E. Ruck
Candidate, International Vice President
