Delbert Strunk, born May 8, 1950, began his railroad career in 1973 as a brakeman on the Cleveland Division of the Norfolk & Western Railway (former Nickel Plate Road; now part of Norfolk Southern Railway.) He was promoted to conductor in 1977.

In 1975, Strunk was elected legislative representative of Local 225, Bellevue, Ohio, which represents conductors, trainmen, yardmen and engineers. Over the next 35 years, Strunk held the offices of vice local chairperson, local chairperson, alternate legislative representative, legislative representative, general secretary (GO 687) and delegate to the 2007 UTU convention.

In 1983, Strunk was elected as general secretary of GO 687; he was elected full-time general chairperson of the general committee in 1989. Strunk served as general chairperson, representing conductors, trainmen, yardmen and engineers, for the next 20-plus years.

In 1998, Strunk merged GO 719 (former Wabash) into GO 687 (former Nickel Plate), forming one of the largest general committees on Norfolk Southern Railway. Strunk was elected alternate vice president-East in 2007 and was elevated to International vice president in July 2009.

Strunk has been appointed to the last two UTU national negotiating committees, as well as appointed to the National Wage and Rules Panel. He was also elected as vice chairperson for the District No. 1 General Chairpersons’ Association and was elevated to the position of chairperson when the former chairperson retired.

Strunk also served as chairperson of the 2007 UTU Constitution Committee.

Strunk and his wife, Diane, have four children and 15 grandchildren.