Electric League News

Member-Guest Luncheon - Oct 26 at Arrowhead Club

All Chiefs fans will want to make every effort to attend the member-guest Electric League luncheon scheduled for Oct. 26 at the Arrowhead Club in Arrowhead Stadium. Our speaker will be recently retired Kansas City Chiefs player Tim Grunhard. Tim will offer his perspective on the Kansas City Chiefs season at the midway point.

The luncheon will have a special focus on guests. It will be a great opportunity for guests to network with members in the unique setting of the Arrowhead Club. Members, don't forget to invite that special guest and we'll see you Oct. 26 at the Arrowhead Club. A registration form is included with this newsletter.

2001 Electric League Membership Campaign

Your Electric League is holding its 2001 membership campaign currently. This is a great time to share the benefits of membership with industry colleagues. Your efforts in recruiting new company members will not go unnoticed. Every member who recruits a new company member from now through Nov. 15, will earn an attractive Electric League logo-portfolio. The member who recruits the most new members will earn a special reward valued at more than $100.

When discussing membership, you'll want to explain to candidates the benefits of belonging to the League including: a partnership with Time-Warner Cable giving the League great community awareness, an award-winning web site that includes the buyer's guide and service guide, the comprehensive education programs, the luncheons featuring industry topics and networking opportunities, the spring and fall golf outings, the festive annual holiday luncheon, and the upcoming 2002 Trade Show. In all, your Association has a lot to offer. The new company will get membership for the rest of this year and all of 2002. So how do you get started recruiting new members? Two ways: You can call Olivia at the League office, 816-561-5323, for a supply of membership brochures and start handing them out. (Be sure to put your name on each one so we can credit you with the referral.) The League also has designed a member referral form. Call the League office if you need a copy of this form.

Electric League Fall Golf Event

On a day filled with emotions and thoughts of national security, the Electric League held their annual fall golf outing. September 11, 2001 will be a day burned into our collective memory with scenes from New York City, Washington DC, and rural Pennsylvania. However, near-perfect weather and a capacity turnout for the golf event provided some diversion from the national events of the day. This year, members and guests played the beautiful Loch Lloyd Country Club in Belton, Mo. Following are the flight and individual contest winners:

Longest drive (#16), Larry Slates
Longest putt (#5), Keith Mindrup
Closest to Pin (#3), Rick Carlson-Bryant
Longest putt (#12), Jeff Linscott

First Flight

1st - Capital Electric II - Mike Ryan, Kirk Shawver, Lonnie Williams, Larry Davis
2nd - Graybar II - Richard Meek, Tony Winslow, Chris Lacy, Vince Groff
3rd - CED - Doug Hague, Louis DeLeon, Larry Slates, Karen Slates

Second Flight

1st - Kansas City Power & Light - Vern Skripsky, Mark Shapley, Rick Huber, Rick Turner
2nd - Graybar I - Chuck Engelmann, Tom Mantia, Jeff Holmberg, Jerry Keeney
3rd - CBM - Doug Mayle, Martin Knowles, Mike Haug, Dan Stutterheim

Third Flight

1st - Southwire Co - John Dussold, Dennis McKenzie, Phil Hickey, Don Benjamin
2nd - George Pearson Co. - Duane Basham, Rick Carlson-Bryant, Keith Mindrup, Larry Evanoff
3rd - Power Engineering - Russell Fotovich, Troy Cunningham, Ed Rogers, Marty Stump

Special Thanks to All Sponsors and Volunteers.

Habitat for Humanity Volunteers Needed

The Kansas City Habitat for Humanity chapter and the Kaw Valley Habitat chapter are looking for licensed electricians as volunteers. Kaw Valley Habitat builds homes in Wyandotte, Johnson and Leavenworth counties in Kansas. Kansas City Habitat chapter builds homes in Jackson County Missouri. According to officials at Kaw Valley, electricians may bring their own skilled labor or lead a group of volunteers. Anyone interested in volunteering for the Kaw Valley chapter is asked to contact Forrest Tuter, Construction Manager at 913-238-6221. Those interested in volunteering for the Kansas City Chapter are asked to contact Bridget Gooden, Volunteer Coordinator at 816-924-1096.

Annual Lighting Awards Banquet

7x24 Fall Conference

The 7x24 Fall Conference is scheduled for Oct. 19th. Details and online registration are at www.mindconnection.com/7x24. The conference is only $60, with breakfast and lunch included in that price. Included in the event will be “giveaways” from Fluke, the National 7x24, and others.

The timing is interesting: There will be two presentations on security! Invite your vendors, customers, and co-workers! You do not have to be a member of any organization to take advantage of this outstanding educational and networking opportunity.

For more information, contact Mark Lamendola, 7x24 Midwest Assistant Director, at comments@mindconnection.com

Mark your Calendar

Electric League Holiday Luncheon

Harrah's North Kansas City Conference Center
Thursday, December 13, 2001
Networking - 11 a.m., Lunch - Noon

Uncover a New Profit Center!
Examine losses to find savings
By Federated Insurance Cos.

Business owners are attuned to profit statements, whether looking at in-store sales, average operating income per location or results per profit center.

But, are you well informed about your insurance loss experience?

Do you know the types of losses and the number of each type at each location?
Do you realize the impact of those losses on your bottom line?
Is someone responsible to monitor losses ... possibly a designated risk manager?
Are losses analyzed at least annually, or better yet, quarterly?

A loss analysis provides a systematic method of categorizing loss data to identify accident trends and pinpoint work activities, locations, employees, equipment, materials and environmental conditions commonly associated with accidents. Your loss analysis should show both the frequency (number) and severity (cost) of losses. Many times the frequency does not correspond with severity. Using a chart or graph will make it easier to watch trends.

Your loss history can be ordered from your business insurance provider. The results of your analysis should help you develop an action plan to reduce the possibilities of future losses. You can also compare your organization's losses with others in your industry.

Each year, Federated analyzes losses to show frequency and severity of losses for various industries. Compare your company's loss analysis with these results and take advantage of risk management resources designed to help eliminate specific types of losses. You just may uncover a new profit center opportunity through risk management.

NAED Names New President

The National Association of Electrical announced recently the appointment of Thomas Naber as president of the association.

“On behalf of the board of directors, I am excited to announce our appointment of Tom Naber as president of NAED,” says Jim Morlan, president of Electric Supply, Inc. and NAED chairman of the board. “In many ways, Tom combines the best of many worlds: he knows the industry, magazine publishing and association management. Under his visionary leadership, we are confident the association will achieve new, strategic levels of service to the electrical distribution channel.”

Since joining NAED in 1997, Naber has served as publisher of TED Magazine. Under his leadership, TED Magazine was completely redesigned, the tedmag.com web site was created and readership was significantly increased. In May 2001, Naber was appointed chief operating of the association; in this expanding role, he assumed the additional responsibility of spearheading strategic planning efforts for NAED.

Naber possesses a strong background in both association management and the electrical industry, bringing over 17 years experience as an association executive. Prior to coming to NAED, he served as editor of Electrical Contractor magazine, the publication of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).

Sponsorships Available For Annual Lighting Awards

Electric League members will want to mark their calendar for Monday, November 5 to attend the annual Lighting Awards Banquet. The event will be held at the Doubletree Hotel, 1301 Wyandotte, downtown Kansas City, Mo.

The Electric League is asking for your support of this popular event. Contact Cindy Oxley at the League office, 816-561-5323, if your firm would like to sponsor this year's Lighting Awards. An invitation to the banquet is enclosed with this newsletter.

See you Nov. 5 at the Lighting Awards Banquet!

Triennial Electric League Trade Show - Set for March, 2002

Electric League members will want to mark their calendars for March 19-20, 2002 for the Triennial Electric League Trade Show. The Show will be held March 19-20, 2002 at the Overland Park International Trade Center, Overland Park, Kan.

This important event draws guests from all areas of the electrical industry - engineers, architects, contractors, maintenance end-users, utility company personnel, as well as many others involved in some aspect of the electrical and data communications field.

Booths at the show will be priced at $950 each for a 10'x10'. A five percent discount is offered with the rental of five or more booths - 10 percent discount when renting 10 or more. Electronic lead retrieval will be available to exhibitors.

Circle March 19-20, 2002 on your calendar and plan to join fellow Electric League members and electrical/data communications professionals at the Overland Park International Trade Center for the 2002 Electric League Trade Show.

Help for Small Businesses

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation to help small businesses get complete and updated information about federal regulations. The bill establishes a pilot program in 20 states, providing grants to Small Business Development Centers to channel information and technical assistance to small businesses. Congressional supporters intend for the program to help small businesses focus on business instead of regulatory paperwork. - Source: North American Equip. Dealers Assoc.

National Legislative News

For the last several weeks Congress and the President have been dealing with the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11. Congress approved and the President signed bills appropriating $55 billion in disaster and economic relief - $40 billion for disaster assistance and recovery and national security efforts and $15 billion to help the nation's airlines get back in business. More is in the pipeline - airline security legislation and, perhaps, an economic stimulus package.

Economic Measures
Congress and the administration are moving cautiously on economic measures. Congressional committees called in Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan and former Treasury secretary Robert Rubin for advice.

They suggested calm deliberations and offered two criteria for a possible tax package: It should be substantial and it should be temporary. Greenspan defined substantial as 1 percent of gross domestic product or about $100 billion, including the $55 billion already approved. He suggested that tax relief measures encourage business investment.

Proposed ideas include reductions in corporate tax rates, cuts in capital gains tax rates, some kind of adjustment on payroll taxes, accelerated depreciation of business equipment, increased expensing for small businesses, repeal of the corporate alternative minimum tax, repeal of the Federal Unemployment Tax Act surtax, an investment tax credit and an increase in the minimum wage.

There are a separate set of suggestions designed specifically to help workers who lost jobs as a direct result of the terrorist attacks. These include expanded unemployment benefits, cash payments, job training and federal aid on health insurance premiums.

Congress and the President have expressed willingness to consider all of these options, but show no inclination to buy off on all. They say a capital gains tax cut might be more effective in the long-term and question the advisability of payroll tax relief, saying that could raise concerns about jeopardizing Social Security.

Other Legislative Action
The Senate passed a bill (S 1430), to create “unity bonds” to help fund recovery operations, humanitarian relief and military efforts against terrorism. There is similar legislation in the House.

A reminder: The Uniformed Services Employment & Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 protects jobs and benefits of military reservists and National Guard who are called to active duty. It requires employers to re-employ reservists in the same or similar jobs and protect their seniority, pay, health benefits and pension rights. Information on employers' obligations and employees' rights is available from the Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment & Training Service at www.dol.gov/dolvets.

Thanks to Chris Hedges

New American flag hanging on Southwest Trafficway side of the Electric League headquarters building. Special thanks to Chris Hedges for his efforts in lighting the flag!

western_flag.jpg (220686 bytes)

Member Company Finalist in Business Ethics Award Competition

Cleaves-Bessmer-Marietti, Inc. is a finalist in the 2001 Kansas City Business Ethics Award competition.

The American Business Ethics Award recognizes U.S. companies that exemplify high standards of ethical behavior in their everyday business conduct and in response to specific crises or challenges.

Each year the award is presented nationally and in many local markets.

Additions and Changes to CBM Organization
Ben Hamption has joined the CBM Kansas City Contractor/Industrial Division as a Field Sales Engineer with specification responsibility for the territories of southeastern Kansas and southwestern Missouri. Before joining CBM, Ben was with Carlton-Bates Company where he worked in both Dallas and Kansas City. Mike Ginther has joined CBM in the Contractor/Industrial Division as Inside Sales Specialist. His responsibilities include order entry and order expediting. Mike previously worked for Square D Company and Missouri Valley Electric. CBM welcomes William Mathieson to their Kansas City Utility Division as Inside Sales Specialist. William was formerly with Platt Electric, an electrical distributor, in inside sales and management. Before that he was with Loyd's Electric in their Utility Inside Sales group.

CBM has promoted Scott Keeler to Outside Sales in the Contractor/ Industrial Division. Scott previously served as an Inside Sales Specialist with concentration on the Hoffman Product Line.

The People Column

The leaves are turning and we're beginning to see witches, ghosts, and goblins around town ... looks like fall has arrived! What a beautiful time of the year in Kansas City.

Joe Lechner is celebrating 30 years with Western Extralite KCMO this month. Congratulations, Joe! October 7th was the 50th wedding anniversary of Jean and Gill Fritz of CED/American Electric, Salina. David Lopez of Western Extralite, KCMO, will be tying the knot on October 20th.

We've been notified of a few October birthdays:

October 13 - Terri Seyl, Western Extralite
October 15 - Ida Edmisten, Missouri Valley Electric
October 24 - Rich Jones, Western Extralite
October 31 - Wes Rains, Rains Electrical Sales

Happy birthday to all of you and to anyone else we may have missed - enjoy your day.

Our best wishes for a speedy recovery from surgery to Millie at CED/Rensenhouse, KCMO. Bill Scaletty Associates announces the addition of Sarah Hickox who will be in charge of customer service and order entry. Seems we have a star among us: Lauren Hearne, the 11-year-old daughter of Ken Hearne, of Western Extralite, is one of the Girl Scouts whose picture is being featured on the box of the Girl Scouts' newest flavor, “Friendship Circle Cookies”ª She is the 2nd girl in the gray uniform. And last, but certainly not least, a standing ovation for Erin Wilkinson, daughter of John Wilkinson of M.O.K. Lighting has been named a Fulbright Scholarship winner. She will be going to Rome, Italy to study linguistics. Keep those tidbits coming in ... we'll see you next month.

The People Column e-mail: peoplecolumn@electricleague.org

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