Lawrence Bussell

Area 1 Director

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee

Phone: 901-484-0685
Email: larrybussell901@narvre-editor
Location: Memphis, TN

Born on July 20, 1949, in Lynch, Kentucky, I began my railroad career in 1975 with the Southern Railroad in Knoxville, Tennessee, as an Apprentice Carman. After completing my training, I worked in both the Repair Shop and the Class Yard. During this time, I served on the Safety Committee and represented the company in its United Way Campaign.

In 1982, I relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, where I accepted a position as a Carman Inspector with the Norfolk Southern Corporation. Throughout my tenure, I remained active in safety initiatives and served as Local Chairman for the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen. I also received valuable union-sponsored training from the George Meany Labor Studies Center in Silver Spring, Maryland. I retired from Norfolk Southern in August 2011 after 36 years.

I joined NARVRE in 2010, and during the 2024 NARVRE Convention, I accepted the position of Area 1 Director.

I have been married to my wife, Gerri, for 52 years. Gerri retired in 2015, after 38 years of managing the Office of Sponsored Projects Accounting at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. We are blessed with two children, John, who is a Peer Assistance and Review Advisor for Memphis-Shelby County Schools, and Lauren, who manages the Neonatal Unit for Houston Methodist-Willowbrook, and one grandchild, Lamar, who loves dinosaurs and video games.

My wife and I are active in our church’s Youth Ministry and Boy Scout Ministry. I have served on the church Trustee Ministry and currently serve as Assistant Scoutmaster for our Scouting unit. I am honored to have received both the George Meany Award and the District Award of Merit from the Boy Scouts of America. Additionally, I previously served as an Advisor on the Memphis Shelby County Foster Care Review Board.