Jim Huston was born Dec. 18, 1950, in Paola, Kan. He went to work for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway (now part of BNSF Railway) on March 28, 1969, in yard service.

He became interested in the affairs of his union and was elected secretary/treasurer of his local, Local 1532 in Kansas City, Kan., in 1971, serving until 1984. He served as local chairperson from 1981 to 1991 and on his local’s board of trustees from 1985 to 1991.

Huston also served as alternate local legislative representative from 1977 to 1980, vice local chairperson from 1975 to 1981, and as the delegate from his local to the UTU International conventions held in 1983, 1987 and 1991.

Huston served as secretary of his general committee of adjustment, GO 009, from 1991 to 1999, and as general chairperson from 1999 to the present.

He was elected to UTU International executive board at the 1991 convention and re-elected at all subsequent conventions. He became chairperson in 1999.

Huston was elevated to the position of alternate vice president – East in October 2009.