2006 WESTERN SECTION IAEI ANNUAL MEETING REPORT

Respectively submitted by: Ron L Janikowski

 

The Western Section IAEI held its 102nd annual meeting at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa in Traverse City, Michigan from September 17-20, 2006.  A total of 371 members and 143 guests registered for the meeting.  Early arrivals on September 17 enjoyed salmon fishing on Lake Michigan and a golf tournament on one of the many beautiful area golf courses.      

 

The board of directors met on September 17.  Executive Director Jim Carpenter presented his 2006 annual report.  41 display booths for manufacturers, testing organizations, associations and others presented new and leading products.  The members and guests were welcomed at a Sunday evening reception with musical entertainment and caricature artists. 

 

The official program began on Monday morning, September 18 with a welcome to Michigan by Mark Sisco, Deputy Director of the Michigan Department of Labor.  International President Wayne Lilly addressed the membership.  Section President Jerry Blair, CEO and Executive Director Jim Carpenter, and Section Secretary-Treasurer Ed Lawry presented reports.  Membership Chairman Ron Schapp presented his report and chapter awards to Monte Ewing and Pat Clancy of the Wisconsin Chapter for the highest membership growth of 111 members and Herb Craig of the Northwest Indiana Division for the greatest percentage increase of 29%.  As usual the Wisconsin Chapter was number 1 in membership growth. Our Chapter IAEI seminar programs besides providing attendee continuing education credits allow us to sign-up numerous new members. Mark Earley reported on the activities of the NFPA. 

 

Mike Johnston, IAEI Director of Education and Phil Simmons reviewed the major proposals for the 2008 NEC.  Other technical presentations included a discussion of operational temperature considerations for electrical conductors by Travis Lindsey of the Copper Development Association and Hazardous Locations Articles 511 and 514 by Mike Johnston.  Rich Berman of Underwriters Laboratories discussed understanding and using the new UL White Book.    

 

Another important and educational portion of the program was the review of NEC Questions and Answers.  A list of written questions was discussed and answered by two code panels consisting of  NEC panel members and recognized experts.  The panels were moderated by Mike Forister and Rob Forister with panel members Mark Earley, Monte Ewing, Richard Loyd, Alan Manche, Chuck Mello, Tom Moore, Don Offerdahl, Richard Owen, Jim Pauley, Marcus “Sam” Sampson, Donald Shields, Phil Simmons, John Stacey, Richard Tremblador, Charlie Trout, and Ray Weber.  Mike Forister led the Charlie Trout code breakfast where members worked as teams to answer a set of code questions and later announced the winning team.

 

The business meeting began with the report of the nominating committee by Chairman Jim Pauley and the election of officers, board of directors’ members and representatives to the IAEI board of directors. 

Ron Schapp presented individual awards to members belonging to the IAEI for 25 or more years.  Ray Weber was approved for honorary membership in the Western Section.  Other business included approval of Western Section bylaws revisions and a welcome to St. Louis for the 2007 section meeting.

 

The annual banquet moderated by Dave Williams included the installation of officers and board of directors’ members by International President Wayne Lilly.  The highlight of the banquet was listening and dancing to an outstanding 10 piece band from Detroit.  The meeting was adjourned on September 20 by Section President Jerry Blair.  

 

The guest program was highlighted by trips to Mackinac Island and the beautiful Leelanau Peninsula.

 

The following is the IAEI Western Section slate of Officers and Board of Directors for 2007

 

President                      Jerry Blair

1st Vice President         Don Offerdahl

2nd Vice President         Dave Williams

Secretary/Treasurer      Ed Lawry

Past President               Vacant

___________

 

Board of Director members:

Ed Larke

Tom Moore

Danny King

John Stacey

Marcus “Sam” Sampson

Murl Wheeler

Jim Conway

Jim Rich

Dwight Kramer

Rob Forister

Steven Ward

Ron Janikowski

Ed Bergstraesser

Larry Kippes

Mike Forister

Jim Pauley

___________

 

Education Committee Chairman

Richard Owen

___________

 

Membership Chairman

Ron Schapp

___________

 

Representatives to the IAEI Board of Directors

Candidate for Office     Richard Owen

Member                       Don Offerdahl

Ex-Officio Member      Ed Lawry

Alternate                      Dave Williams