Award Winners Recognized
The 2009 award winners were announced after their selection in June, 2009; and they were recognized at the Closing Session of the Convention in Seattle, WA, on September 15, 2009.
The Coggeshall Award
The Coggeshall Award was established in 1956 to honor a member of the Association, who is adjudged to have made an outstanding contribution to the industry in the technical and training field. The 2009 winner is Ben W. Nevers, Sr. Ben is a member of the Louisiana Senate where he chairs the Education Committee. He introduced and worked for passage of Act 472, which grants apprenticeship tax credits for qualified employers.
The Comstock Award
The Comstock Award was established by the Board of Governors in 1959. It recognizes outstanding contribution in the field of labor relations for NECA and the industry. The 2009 recipient of this award is Rod Borden. Rod has been an active and progressive force, locally and nationally, for almost 40 years. He served as President of NECA from 1998 to 2001. He is now serving as NECA’s trustee on the National Electrical Benefit Fund.
James H. McGraw Award
The James H. McGraw Award was established in 1926 and is given to a person who has contributed a new or useful idea or has performed an industry service over and above normal responsibilities to his own company’s progress. Max Landon was presented with this award at the 2009 Annual Convention. His active participation in ECPAC as well as the local PAC fundraising has given NECA a formidable position with the Oregon legislature.
Association Executive Distinguished Services Award
The NECA Association Executive Distinguished Services Award, established in 1989 by the Board of Governors, recognizes a staff executive or chapter manager who has made significant contributions to the Association and the Industry. The 2009 recipient is Robert LaLumiere. Bob has been with the American Line Builders Chapters for 19 years. He was active in development of the 4th District Safety and Education Fund and has served on the Council on Industrial Relations.
The Membership Recruitment and Retention Award
The Membership Recruitment and Retention Award was established in 1988 by the National Staff to recognize the manager who has done the best job of recruiting eligible members while retaining the existing members during the previous calendar year. Jeffrey Scarpello, Manager, Penn-Del-Jersey Chapter, was chosen for this year’s award.
The Wendt Award
The Wendt Award, established in l998, by ELECTRI International is the highest honor bestowed annually by the Foundation. The Award honors one individual each year for exemplary leadership and service to the industry. In 2009, the Foundation Trustees selected two Wendt Award Winners.
Giovanni Marcelli, founder of Accubid, was one of the first industry partners to make a commitment to ELECTRI International and has been an active member of the ELECTRI Council for many years.
Jack McCormick, founder of McCormick Systems, is also a NECA contractor. Not only has Jack contributed to the Foundation’s endowment, but also his company has provided considerable software to universities across the country.
Industry Partner Award
In 1996, NECA’s Executive Committee approved the creation of an award to recognize individuals or organizations allied with the electrical construction industry whose decisions, action, or cooperation with NECA contribute to the industry’s success. The 2009 award was given to the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED). NAED helps electrical contractors with essential concerns such as planning, product specification, purchasing, and site logistics.
Association Executive Institute
The Association Executive Institute is an informal, education organization, which meets annually, usually in March, in the convention city. The first institute was held in Pittsburgh in July, 1939. Each person employed in an executive or administration capacity by a NECA chapter, the National Association, including the NJATC and NEBF shall be a member. The chairman is elected annually by the majority vote of the members present and shall serve until his successor is elected. The 2010 Chairman will be Andrew Porter, Manager of the Washington, D.C. Chapter.
Why Join NECA?
Electrical contractors count on NECA to deliver the resources that help them make better business decisions, provide excellent customer service, and take advantage of innovative technology. NECA’s national office and local chapters advance the electrical construction industry through advocacy, education, research, and standards development.
