National Vice President – Carmen Division General President
National Vice President – Carmen Division General PresidentDon began his railroad career on the C&O railroad at Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1981. After being furloughed, he transferred and served his apprenticeship in Richmond, Virginia. Brother Grissom has worked all shifts and facets of the craft from heavy car repair shop, rip track, transportation yard, air brake room and Steam Derek Operator with tool cars.
In 1985, he assumed the position of Local Chairman for Local Lodge 183 in Richmond, Virginia, and was re-elected to that position for three consecutive terms.
In 1988, Don was appointed to the Executive Board of Joint Protective Board No. 90 and in 1990, when the General Secretary Treasurer retired, was appointed to the General Secretary Treasurer’s position. At the convention in 1992, Don was elected by acclimation to the GST position. During 1991 and 1994, he was also appointed to serve as the Vice General Chairman for the C&O Joint Protective Board. On September 1, 1995, he assumed the position of General Chairman of the C&O Joint Protective Board vacated by the previous General Chairman, Marvin Napier. At the regular Joint Protective Board convention in 1996, Don was elected by acclimation as the General Chairman. In 1999, the CSX Board merged with the Seaboard Coast Line Board and brother Grissom was appointed as 1st Vice General Chairman by General Chairman Lawrence Sutton. In 2003, at the Joint Protective Board convention, he was elected by acclimation to the 1st Vice General Chairman position. In 2005, Don assumed the General Chairman position on Joint Protective Board 410 and in 2006, became the International Representative for Unit 410.
On July 1, 2011, General President Rich Johnson appointed him to the Carmen General Vice President’s position. Don was re-elected to that position at the 2014 Convention. At the 2018 Convention Don was elected as the Assistant General President. Don was elected as the Carmen Division General President at the 2022 Carmen Convention a position that automatically makes him a TCU Vice-President.