ASSOCIATION HIGHLIGHTS

WAI award to debut at Interwire 2023, winner of the President’s Award is named

The recipients of WAI’s Mordica Memorial Award and the Donnellan Memorial Award have already been reported, but since then the winners of two others— including one that was newly established—have also been named.

Rich Stinson, the president & CEO of Southwire Company, is the inaugural winner of the Champion Award. Chosen by the Association’s board of directors, the award recognizes an industry executive for his or her strong support of the Association and its educational mission. He will receive the award on Wednesday, May 10, after he presents his keynote address at Interwire 2023.

The endorsement for Stinson spelled out the depth of support the company he leads has provided the WAI.

“During your tenure leading Southwire, the Association has been the beneficiary of high value contributions from your company in the form of significant member engagement, impactful volunteerism, program speakers and instructors as well as generous sponsorships.

“With our lean staff, the Association relies on a contingent of volunteers to design and deliver products and service that meet the needs of the industry.

Tom Heberling’s key role as WAI President during the pandemic will be remembered as a perfect leader to get us through the crisis. Similarly, the other Southwire volunteers are key contributors in their respective roles. The example you set as the chairman of NEMA has paved the way for your talented staff to positively impact the entire profession.

“Emanating from your leadership, it is clear that Southwire is committed to our full range of professional development activities and the supplier marketplaces that are at the core of our lnterwire and Wire Expo events as well as the Wire Journal International magazine.”

The other honor, the President’s Award, goes to Robert Wild, president and CEO of Niehoff Endex North America. Wild was chosen by WAI President Kurt Breischaft, who lauded his longtime support for the Association. “The new initiatives at the Association are continuously met with Robert’s genuine support since 2004, and his work as president of Niehoff Endex North America is something to be proud of. He is a true reflec- tion of the supplier sector which encourages our show and the Association to constantly evolve.”

Wild will also be recognized at Interwire 2023. The Interwire preshow section in this issue will have further details on the presentations of the awards, as well as the winners of the Mordica and Donnellan Memorial awards on Tuesday morning.

WAI repeats its Call for Papers for both Mexico and Italian tech conferences

WAI is reaching out again to technical paper authors to take part in two Association efforts this year in Italy and Mexico.

The timing is tight for Wire & Cable Milan 2023, which will be held Oct. 16, 2023, at the Palazzo Giureconsulti in Milan, Italy. For Milan, the abstract deadline is Feb. 28. If that date is a concern, authors can contact WAI staff for a possible extension. Acceptance notifications will be sent March 31, and the manuscript deadline is July 31.

The event is being put on with ACIMAF, the Italian wire machinery association, led by President Ferruccio Bellina, a long-time supporter of such efforts. WAI last held an event in Italy in Verona in 2019, with other events there in Milan (2013), Bologna (2007) and Stresa (2003).

The timing is better for WAI’s Mexico ITC, which will be held Nov. 13-15, 2023, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, in Monterrey, Mexico. It was last held at the same location in 2016, at which time it drew 190 participants. The WAI had held two prior ITCs in Monterrey (2008 and 2010), and one in Querétaro (2004). At all those events, WAI Past President Antonio Ayala served as a key volunteer and organizer.

For both events, the Association is seeking presentations on technical subjects, but also on topics such as sustainability, workforce issues, operating best practices or general business influences in the wire and cable industry.

For Monterey, the abstract deadlines is April 17. Notification will be made by May 22, and the manuscript deadline is Oct. 1. The program will include a presentation about market conditions in Mexico, Central America and South America. n

MEET YOUR PEERS. ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS. JOIN WAI TODAY.

The following individuals either recently joined WAI or became Platinum Members through their companies. WAI welcomes the new members recognized below from the following countries:

Murrell W Blackburn Chief IP Counsel Southwire Co

Jose E. Cavazos Operation Vice President B & B Manufacturing Corp

Jerzy Dawid Prezes DAWID Sp zoo

Samantha Destremps Technical Services Engineer Rogers Corporation

Shane DeWitt Sales Engineer Amacoil Inc

Kristin Donnellan Gem Gravure Co Inc

Stephanie Dupree Account Manager Sonoco Reels

Maciej Gorak Manager Gama Metal Ltd

Mark Hurt Operations Manager WCJ Pilgrim Wire

Jan Krnac M Sc ZDB Dratovna AS

Jort Kuipers Sales WiTechs Wire Technologies

Andrzej J Mamala Assistant Professor AGH University of Science & Technology

Detlev Melcher Sales Representative SMP Detlev Melcher

Piotr Milewski Manager WIRECO Poland Spz oo

Piotr Pawlak Pawlak Przedsiębiorstwo Wielobranżowe

Cynthia Riggs Innovation Cerro Wire LLC

Cheryl Stewart Vice President Operations Quabbin Wire & Cable Co Inc

Chris Ulbrich CEO Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals Inc

Robert Ulewicz Professor Czestochowa University of Technology

Rafal Wludzik M Sc Yawal SA

Jason G Wolken Account/Product Manager M Holland Company