Chef de Chemin de Fer Jim Vissers

In 1967, following high school graduation, Jim enlisted in the U. S. Navy. After boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, he attended service school in San Diego, then transferring to the USS Wasp. In February of 1970, Jim was united in marriage to his wife “Cher” and they eventually were blessed with three children; Laurie, Adam, and Eric. While stationed aboard the USS Wasp, he was a Steward for two years, then cross-rated to Storekeeper. Jim was part of the decommissioning crew in 1972.

His next duty assignment was the Naval Submarine Base in Groton, CT where he did accounting for 22 different submarines, along with the Engineering and Repair Department. The final year of his tour was spent as outbound clerk for household goods.

During his seven years of service, Jim was awarded the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Unit Commendation, National Defense Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the Navy Achievement Medal.

After being honorably discharged in 1974, Jim worked 37 years in the paper industry, six years as a union employee and thirty-one in management. He was a member of the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, chairing the Packaging Committee for three years. Retired since 2011, Jim is currently working part-time as a courtesy shuttle and parts driver for a local car dealership.

A member of American Legion Post 258 in Little Chute, WI for fifty years, Jim has served as Assistant Finance Officer and two terms as First Vice Commander.

In 1998, Jim was invited to join the 40 & 8, serving Voiture 1140 as Aumonier, Chef de Gare, and currently as Correspondant and Commissaire Intendant.

On the Grand level, he has served as Aide de Camp, Directeur of Box Car, Garde de La Porte, Conducteur, Chef de Train, Chef de Gare, and currently as Area 3 District Cheminot and Commissaire Intendant.

Jim has served on the National level as Alternate Cheminot, Cheminot, Sous Box Car Directeur, Aide de Camp, Box Car Directeur, Sous Chef de Chemin de Fer, and Sous Nurses Training Directeur. He was named the National Voyageur of the Year in 2015

Sous Chef de Chemin de Fer David Stephens

Hello everyone, I am David Stephens, Sous Chef de Chemin de Fer, 2026. I live in Chester, VA with my wife and two crazy dogs. I have three adult sons. One lives in Ohio with his wife and son. The other two live in Richmond, VA. My youngest son and his wife are expecting a second daughter at the end of this month. We are all very excited to welcome a new granddaughter into the family.

I have been Voiture Military for 13 years and was the Chef de Gare for Voiture Locale 1530 du Virginia, in 2020 and the Grande Chef de Gare of Grande du Virginia in 2020.

I grew up in a small town in Michigan. Upon graduation in 1981 I enlisted in the US Navy and was stationed aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Nimitz CVN-68 for four years. I was discharged in 1985 and then did 17 years in the Army National Guard in Florida, Puerto Rico and Virginia.

I am looking forward to helping everyone increase their membership. Our organization is only as strong as its members.

Sous Chef de Chemin de Fer Ralph Binion

Ralph Binion is originally from Ogdensburg, New York. He is married to Roberta Binion. Ralph joined the Air Force in Sept of 89 and retired in April of 14. He was stationed at Ellsworth AFB South Dakota, Andersen AFB Guam, Randolph AFB Texas, Maxwell AFB Alabama and Mountain Home AFB Idaho. He deployed to Jeddaha KSA in Support of Desert Shield/Storm, Riydh AB KSA, Seik-Isa AB Bahrain, Kirkuk Iraq for Iraqi Freedom, Panjshire Afghanistan for Enduring Freedom and 2X Qatar. Ralph currently works on Mountain Home AFB as a Unit Training Manager/Deployment Manager for the 366 Communications Squadron.

Ralph is a live member of the American Legion where he has served as Sergeant at Arms, 1st Vice Commander and post trustee. He is a live Member of the Veterans of Foreign War. He has served as Post Commander for 6 years, Department Surgeon, and District Commander earning All American as both a district and Post Commander. Ralph was wrecked into the 40 & 8 in 2008. He is a life member and served at the local level as Conductor, Chef De Train, Chef De Gare (6yrs) and currently as local Correspondant. He has served at the Grand level as Conductor, Chef De Train and currently the Chef De Gare (2yrs). At the National Level he has served as Cheminot, Sous Directour Americanism.

Sous Chef de Chemin de Fer Todd McIlrath

My Name is Todd McIlrath. I was born in Milan, Ohio, birth place of Thomas Edison. I served in the Ohio Army National Guard, retiring after 21 ½ years, serving during Lebanon, Grenada, Desert Storm, Gulf War, and Afghanistan.

I have been married for 37 years to my lovely wife Kimberly. We have 4 children, 9 grandchildren and 2 dogs. I graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1996. I retired from Tenneco Automotive after 32 years in the R&D Facility. I also served 10 years on the Milan Volunteer Fire Department.

I was wrecked into the 40&8 in 2006, Voiture 50 in Sandusky, Ohio.

At Locale and Grande level I have held all the line the positions, currently being Chef de Gare for both Locale Voiture 50 and Grande du Ohio.

At the Nationale level I have held the offices of Lampiste 2022-2023, Alternate Cheminot 2022-2024, Ohio Corporation President 2020-2023 and Ohio Corporation Trustee 2024, and a Nationale Sous Directeur of Nurses Training 2022-2025.

I am a Paid Up for Life Member of the 40&8, American Legion, and Amvets. I am also a 20 year member of the VFW.

I am extremely honored to serve as your Sous Chef de Chemin de Fer and I look forward to working with the membership teams.

Sous Chef de Chemin de Fer Terry Lee

I was born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida and currently reside in Jacksonville, Florida.

I served over twenty-three years active-duty service in the US Army, retiring as First Sergeant. I received numerous military awards, including the Bronze Star, awarded during deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal 2nd Award, Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal 2nd Award and the Florida Cross.

I also retired as a Corrections Officer with the Florida Department of Corrections, where I served as Criminal Investigator, Administrative Lieutenant and Recruitment Officer.

I am a graduate of Vincennes University.

I have been a member of La Société since 2002, where I served as Locale Chef de Gare 2010, Correspondant 2006-2009 & 2016 to Present, and currently hold many Locale Directeurships. I served in all chairs in Grand du Florida and was Grand Chef de Gare 2015 and a proud Guardian of the Paul Bunyan Gavel. I have served Voiture Nationale as Nationale Cheminot Alternate and Nationale Cheminot from Grand du Florida, Sous Nationale Directeur Carville Star, and Sous Nationale Directeur Child Welfare.

I was selected Locale Voyageur of the year in 2008, Grand Voyageur of the Year in 2020 and Nationale Voyageur of the year in 2021.

I am also a member of the American legion where I held many positions, including Post Adjutant four times and Post Commander. I am also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

I am married to Anita Lee, who is active in La Société as a Dame, and currently serves at the Locale, Grande and Nationale levels.