Knoxville TN

Caleb "Butch" Lakin

Butch is a U.S. Army Veteran. He began employment as a carman with the Southern Railway Co., now the Norfolk Southern, in January, 1968. He continued working through 1990, when he was forced into an Occupational Disability as a result of an on-the-job injury. Butch is still an active member of Lodge 6047 in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he has served as Vice Local Chairman in past years. Butch has worked with our office since 1993 in Knoxville, Tennessee and the surrounding areas.

Curtis E. Cook

Curtis began employment with the Southern Railway, currently the Norfolk Southern, in March 1976 as a carman apprentice in Knoxville, Tennessee. During his time with the railroad, Curtis participated in three hearings by FRA on proposed changes to Power Brake Law. He served as President of Lodge 6047 from 1979-1981. He served as Vice Local Chairman from 1983-1999 and on the Executive Board of Joint Protective Board #200. Curtis retired with disability from Norfolk Southern. Curtis has worked with our office since 2000 in Knoxville, Tennessee and the surrounding areas.

Robert Pless

Robert was born and raised in Norris, Tennessee. He attended Norris High School, Training and Technology School and Pellissipi State College and The University of Tennessee. In 1971, he became the youngest owner/operator of a Union Oil Company service station in the world at age 17. He was a certified automotive mechanic and later a Jouneyman Machinist for the Norfolk Southern Railroad at Coster Shop in Knoxville, Tennessee. Robert has worked as a legal investigator since 1986 helping hundreds of injured railroad workers with their injury claims and benefits. Robert is married to his wife of 20 years, Teresa, and they reside in Andersonville, Tennessee. In his spare time, he is very active and on the Board of Directors of the Oak Ridge Kennel Club in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Robert also works with state and local officials to obtain surplus property for this organization as a permanent training facility.