Congratulations to ECAA on 60 years!

members to support the Association in this endeavour, which resulted in a committee being formed with representatives from the Department of Labour and ECAA to enhance the master’s program and keep it alive. This was a huge win for ECAA, with the master’s program eventually finding a permanent home with the Safety Codes Council, and ECAA’s Professional Electrical Contractor & Master Electrician regulation being amended to include the Certified Master Electrician (CME) and the Registered Master Electrician (RME); thereby providing another revenue stream for the Association.

Electrical contractors have a choice where they choose to spend their hard-earned dollars and it was very important that we, as the ECAA staff, made sure members knew they were valued and their support in the Association very much appreciated. Any and all concerns were answered as promptly as possible, and if we didn’t have the answer, we made sure we found out where it could be obtained. Throughout the years ECAA had, and still has, very dedicated staff. I enjoyed working with each and every one of them and wish them continued success.

Early in my employment, I became a member of the Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE) and achieved my Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation. This national body had an Edmonton chapter where many long-standing friendships were garnered. Relationships with other Association leaders, as well as finance and hotel representatives benefitted me as a new Association executive as well as the ECAA. Through ECAA’s Legislation Chair, Terry Milot, close communication still remains with the Mechanical Contractors Association, the Alberta Roofing Contractors Association, the Sheet Metal Contractors Association of Alberta, Alberta Trade Contractors Council, Alberta Energy Efficiency Alliance, Alberta Construction Association, and the Canadian Electrical Contractors Association.

COVID provided the greatest challenge during my tenure and had a part in my decision to retire. Board members had to focus on their own employees and businesses, while members demanded answers and guidance. We were an essential service, so the office had to remain open through the government mandating a work-from-home policy. Many hours were spent listening to webinars and partaking in Zoom meetings. ECAA was very fortunate to be part of an industry committee led by the Calgary Construction Association which enabled us to provide timely and accurate communication to our membership, and I thank Bill Black for assisting us in providing the needed information.

I feel very blessed to have been part of the ECAA family for over 30 years. I thoroughly enjoyed my employment, especially watching the provincial and chapter presidents grow and gain confidence during their time on the Board. Many friendships have been formed with staff, Board members, and members. I thank

Art Thormann and Ways & Means for taking a chance and hiring me, the initial guidance provided by Gordon Knox, and the support of my family throughout the years. I would like to thank ECAA for the two scholarships started in my name and look forward to meeting the first recipients of these scholarships. I also thank Brian Halina and the

Labour Committee for my incredible retirement gift. I am sorry we were unable to travel with the ECAA group to Africa in February, however we have just returned, and it was truly a trip of a lifetime. The experience will be with us forever as well the memories made over the past 30+ years, so thank you again for my wonderful career with ECAA. n