Award Winners Recognized
The 2008 award winners were announced after their selection in June, 2008; and they were recognized at the Closing Session of the Convention in Chicago, IL, on October 7, 2008.
The Coggeshall Award
The Coggeshall Award, 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 2008 winner is Greg Stewart. Greg is an active supporter and promoter of the National Training Institute, conducted annually by the NJATC. He is a member of NECA’s Workforce Development Committee and the Political Leadership Council.
The Comstock Award
The Comstock Award was established by the Board of Governors in 1959. It recognizes outstanding contributions in the field of labor relations for NECA and the industry. The 2008 recipient of the Comstock Award is Jerry Nixon. Jerry has long been active at the national level of NECA. He is a member of the ELECTRI Council and the Academy of Electrical Contracting. Jerry is Chairman of the NECA Political Leadership Council.
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. Larry Cogburn was given this award at the 2008 Annual Convention. Larry has served on the Board of Directors and as President of the North Florida Chapter. He is an active member of the NECA Codes and Standards Committee and is NECA’s principle on Code-Making Panel 4 for the National Electrical Code.
Association Executive Distinguished Services Award
The NECA Association Executive Distinguished Service 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 2008 recipient is Glenn Kingsbury. Glenn is the Executive Manager of the Boston Chapter and has been with the Chapter for more than 20 years. He was responsible for leading the highly successful market recovery program, focused on public work in the Boston area.
The Membership Recruitment and Retention Award
The Membership Recruitment and Retention Award was established in l988 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. Don Campbell, Manager, Northern California 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. Robert Bruce is the 2008 award winner. Bob has been active on the ELECTRI Council since 1993, and serves as the 2007–2008 Chairman. He is a strong advocate of the Foundation programs, including sponsorship of the 2007 Solar Decathlon and the Talent Initiative.
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, actions, or cooperation with NECA contribute to the industry’s success. This year the award was given to OSHA in recognition of its participation in the strategic partnership for the electrical transmission and distribution industry.
Association Executive Institute
The Association Executives 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 administrative 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. This year’s Chairman will be Robert Coppersmith, Manager of the Central Florida and Florida West Coast Chapters.
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.
